Are there any plan to relay track further West of Oakhampton?
If meaning towards Meldon - yes there is but Crediton to Okehampton is the priority at moment.
Oct 31st is the target finish date for the main section after which the line from Okehampton to Meldon is able to commence.
Of course nothing to say it continues straight after the main works, will be dependent on funding and if staff can continue on with the line to Meldon.
Okehampton to Meldon is not Network Rail property so if it is relaid it will be someone else's scheme in their own timings.Why are they intending to relay to Meldon?
Okehampton to Meldon is not Network Rail property so if it is relaid it will be someone else's scheme in their own timings.
If it's locked in on its own line would this apply?Heritgate stock would have to be of "main line" quality in this example as its would be running over NR metals
If it's on the NR network, it'd need a derogation from the ORR to permit it, but in theory you could secure one. Depends how it'd operate and what the signalling/trackwork setup at Okehampton is like.If it's locked in on its own line would this apply?
Indeed. I was thinking along the lines of the GWR Railmotor on the Looe and Bentford branches a few years ago or the Slammers on the Lymington branch.If it's on the NR network, it'd need a derogation from the ORR to permit it, but in theory you could secure one. Depends how it'd operate and what the signalling/trackwork setup at Okehampton is like.
Probably the end for the Dartmoor Railway then, as a preserved railway, which is quite sad.Every indication so far is that NR have also acquired the whole line beyond Okehampton to Meldon Viaduct Halt ( incl the run round loop but NOT the quarry sdgs ) through to the gate across the line just beyond the platform ( which then becomes the siding the buffet coach is stabled on).
I guess it's an interesting debate. If an indirect consequence of a return after 50 years of a regular passenger service on the majority of a branch line is the end of any hope of a revival of an already moribund preserved railway over a relatively short section of the line, is that a price worth paying? I think it is.Probably the end for the Dartmoor Railway then, as a preserved railway, which is quite sad.
I don't expect Meldon to reopen in the next 10/20 years unless they found Lithium on site. Any track relaying beyond Meldon is probably for an overrun to store a defective train that could be recovered in the night.
Absolutely not the case. Aggregate industries plan to reopen the quarry to provide ballast for HS2.I don't expect Meldon to reopen in the next 10/20 years unless they found Lithium on site. Any track relaying beyond Meldon is probably for an overrun to store a defective train that could be recovered in the night.
Possibly and I don’t know for sure but could the intention be for Meldon to supplement the ballast output that would normally come from the Mendip quarries that may be overstretched somewhat to provide a normal supply for other purposes whilst also supplying this new purpose built factory?Where is the ballast going to be used as pre-fabricated slab track is the preferred medium for HS2. One of the reasons HS2 costs so much. Aggregate Industries are supplying aggregate to a purpose built factory near their quarry at Shepton Mallet.
£260m HS2 contract to create hundreds of jobs | Insider Media
An overall shortage of certain types and grades of aggregate hence and increased supply from rail connected sites is needed.Where is the ballast going to be used as pre-fabricated slab track is the preferred medium for HS2. One of the reasons HS2 costs so much. Aggregate Industries are supplying aggregate to a purpose built factory near their quarry at Shepton Mallet.
£260m HS2 contract to create hundreds of jobs | Insider Media
Probably the end for the Dartmoor Railway then, as a preserved railway, which is quite sad.
I wouldn't disagree with that, and hopefully the Dartmoor Railway Supporter Association will be allowed to continue as custodians of Okehampton Station in some capacity.Sad, yes, but countered by the fact that the line has returned to the national network; is going to be maintained to a higher standard; will have a resinstated passenger service between Exeter & Okehampton; and freight might even return to a re-opened quarry providing much needed jobs. On balance, I'd say that's a win.
NR are much more aware of heritage concerns than generally given credit for. Although they can sometimes throw the baby out with the bathwater when insisting on safety standards, I can see an arrangement being found to let the heritage society stay involved in the upkeep of the building. 'Unstaffed' might just mean no TOC staff, rather than closing everything down. It's been shown on a number of lines that having an active business in the station helps attract custom to the railway. There's plenty of 'friends of...' groups involved in rural lines up and down the country, so there is hope.So Network Rail own the main ( up) building now) - That doesn't bode well for the buffet ( they have already said ( somewhere else) that the station will be "unstaffed" - perhaps it should be Okehampton Halt? . I have seen Dartmoor railway selling tea out of an Urn or similar from the down side buildings in the past though.
Wonder if NR would get the buffet to pay rent, in that case ? ( like they do other retail at stations)
If they end up managing the station, yes. They would be able to decide to charge commercial rent (either fixed or percentage of takings), costs or let them have it for a token amount. Or do something else entirely. GWR have a pretty good record with community groups and friends of on the West Country branches.So GWR ?