The modern fashion is Cnut or Knut
The whole thing's Knuts.
The modern fashion is Cnut or Knut
Aren't these offices north of the old Tavistock North station, in which case they would only be an obstacle for a Tavistock - Okehampton reinstatement.
Aren't these offices north of the old Tavistock North station, in which case they would only be an obstacle for a Tavistock - Okehampton reinstatement.
If I'm not mistaken, I seem to recall reading a couple of years ago ( possibly in a newspaper article) that DCC would be willing to relocate from their current offices in the event that the trackbed was ever required for reinstatement beyond Tavistock, as civ-eng-jim points out, the small housing estate and bridge deck remain the problems at the Tavistock end, many thanks to all for the replies so far.
Yes,WDBC voted to support the reopening of the whole route from Okehampton to BA,which by definition means that they would be prepared to relocate their offices-seem to remember they were looking to do that anyway.There is the housing estate [whoever gave planning permission for that-being cynical, perhaps a greased palm was more appealing than an oiled,long term thinking intellect] at the end of the viaduct and a bungalow which straddles the formation near the broken bridge over Callington Road but compared to the works carried out on the Waverley route the obstructions are trivial.
If I'm not mistaken, I seem to recall reading a couple of years ago ( possibly in a newspaper article) that DCC would be willing to relocate from their current offices in the event that the trackbed was ever required for reinstatement beyond Tavistock, as civ-eng-jim points out, the small housing estate and bridge deck remain the problems at the Tavistock end, many thanks to all for the replies so far.
The Golden opportunity to restore a decent service to Mid Devon (which is long overdue) with the rebuilding the LSWR mainline to COMPLIMENT the Dawlish route is a no brainer (as well as the age old problems of the elements at Dawlish and Teignmouth) but what are the local M.P's doing about it? Like the B.A-Tavistock relaying it is far too quiet (last year it was quoted for 2022) When will England wake up to reopenings on a sensible scale, it's needed, just get on with it
Yes indeed.
To be fair, the South West Peninsular Rail Task Force seems to still be supportive, however some of the South Devon MP's seemed inexplicably opposed.
The Summer Sunday Exeter to Okehampton services seem to have been doing rather well this year going off my own experience back in early June, and also from what other people on here have experienced, it will be interesting to see the results of the passenger surveys they have been conducting in conjunction with eventually introducing a weekday service. Perhaps this gives a indication of the yet to be tapped market from a fully reopened route? and that's before including its usefulness as a diversionary route.
Reading some of the recent comments about the Tavistock area on this thread you might like to take a look at some October 2016 photos of the viaduct / station area.
Click on the following link:
http://www.jhluxton.com/Railways-an...-Meldon-to-Ber/Tavistock-Station-and-Viaduct/
John
The Summer Sunday Exeter to Okehampton services seem to have been doing rather well this year going off my own experience back in early June, and also from what other people on here have experienced, it will be interesting to see the results of the passenger surveys they have been conducting in conjunction with eventually introducing a weekday service. Perhaps this gives a indication of the yet to be tapped market from a fully reopened route? and that's before including its usefulness as a diversionary route.
If possible, I think they should start offering a commuter service to/from Okehampton - Exeter, and maybe one in the afternoon and in the evening, totalling four in total and see how it goes. Both times I have used the Okehampton Sunday specials in the last few years were really well loaded. One was standing room only.
Reading some of the recent comments about the Tavistock area on this thread you might like to take a look at some October 2016 photos of the viaduct / station area.
Click on the following link:
http://www.jhluxton.com/Railways-an...-Meldon-to-Ber/Tavistock-Station-and-Viaduct/
John
Yes, absolutely agree with that, though I suppose the main problem at the moment would be that GWR currently have an insufficient number of DMUs available, let's hope in the not too distant future this will cease to be the case.
The interesting thing about the Sunday specials was that when first introduced they connected with a network of bus services going across Dartmoor which have gradually been reduced following reduction in subsidies. This year the heavy loadings have been people from Okehampton going into Exeter rather than the other way round. Even with the inconvenient location of the station at Okehampton, not having to put up with the traffic congestion on Alphington Road in Exeter has proved to be a selling point.If possible, I think they should start offering a commuter service to/from Okehampton - Exeter, and maybe one in the afternoon and in the evening, totalling four in total and see how it goes. Both times I have used the Okehampton Sunday specials in the last few years were really well loaded. One was standing room only.
The interesting thing about the Sunday specials was that when first introduced they connected with a network of bus services going across Dartmoor which have gradually been reduced following reduction in subsidies. This year the heavy loadings have been people from Okehampton going into Exeter rather than the other way round. Even with the inconvenient location of the station at Okehampton, not having to put up with the traffic congestion on Alphington Road in Exeter has proved to be a selling point.
Yes, absolutely agree with that, though I suppose the main problem at the moment would be that GWR currently have an insufficient number of DMUs available, let's hope in the not too distant future this will cease to be the case.
Converted ex-London Underground trains? Could be a good place to try them out. Of course paths into Exeter could be a problem, stabling, maintenance etc. but if there isn't much freight on the line itself? Just a thought
EDIT: Just had another thought though - if the service was introduced and they were not suitable, it would be a PR disaster if the new service was subsequently withdrawn!
I suppose that in that respect a 143/144 represents 'the devil you know' at least.
Good stuff, but being 'picky' just a shame you did not photo the missing bridge, the bungalow across the track and the line of social housing blocking it too.
John, one gap can be filled because we have Street View! I am beginning to think that I had not taken photos (can't find any) and offer this as a substitute:I was in a bit of a rush and I didn't have as much time to explore as I would have liked.
I visit the Tavistock area quite regularly but this is the first time I have been up to the station site though I pass the missing bridge on the Gunnislake Road often. If I recall correctly it was removed around 1982.
I am next in the area in April and will fill in the gaps!
What I did notice, though I have not stopped to explore yet was a new path up onto the track bed that was created near the missing bridge onto the track bed leading to what would be the proposed new station site. This appeared about 18 months to 2 years ago.
It seems bizarre then that on another part of the route planning was granted for building on the formation.
I suppose that in terms of the overall cost of putting the route back though a few fairly cheap houses in the way wouldn't be insurmountable and if the council want Tavistock back on the railway map with potentially through services to Waterloo then hopefully they'll find a way to move those offices.
On another note the enthusiast in me would love to see a circular Exeter to Exeter regular steam (and occasionally old diesel) hauled service on Sundays taking in both Dartmoor, the Tamar, the sea wall and the Exe.
What a journey that would be!
Those times were another world. Believe me, it was quite possible in the late 60s that the whole shooting match beyond Exeter would have been contemplated for closure and express buses substituted to connect Plymouth and Cornwall with Exeter on that new dual A38. The whole idea that we would need railways, as opposed to tolerating some remaining commuter ones near London, was extant in many right-wing think tanks (still is, if truth were told).
Actually you could have had some interesting trips in the late 50s with Bullied Pacifics on the GW coast route and returning with a 53xx on the SR Okehampton route. The SR and GW men learned each other's route in case of blockage (cliff falls at Dawlish and deep snow drifts on the Okehampton line).
Oh yes, each route has it's weather induced failings, but do note that they don't happen at the same time - that's the point that should make both routes essential..
Would Exeter to Crediton need to be redoubled? 2tph capacity would be sufficient. Could this be achieved by a passing loop? Its barely over 10 minutes and good signalling would be installed as part of a reopening. Crediton to Plymouth only needs capacity for 1tph for local services. If the line was needed for diversionary traffic the local services could be replaced by buses and long distance services could have all their advanced tickets moved to other days. I doubt the line would ever have regular long distance services as that would need Plymouth to Exeter redoubled to maintain a reliable services. Even in the event of diversions it would be better to terminate all eastbound services at Exeter. I cant see the business case ever stacking up to more than a 60mph single track railway with passing loops.
Single track between Exeter and Crediton would have an impact on the Barnstaple services which would have to be re timed if Okehampton reopened. When the Okehampton service was closed it enabled better timings for Barnstaple services.
Before closure, Yeoford juction was closed and 2 separate single lines ran from Crediton to Okehampton, and to Barnstaple.
I would like to see speeds up to 90mph in some sections.
I am getting the feeling its all gone back onto the back burner.