Coleford Junction to Okehampton

Coleford Junction to Okehampton

Credits, Many thanks to all contributors - please see a list on the home page.

Progress report on the re-establishment of passenger services to Okehampton and hopefully beyond.
visit CRS daily and note the article about engineering work on the St Ives branch
and photographic recording thereof. There is a page on the DRSA website that is
dedicated to recording the accelerating activities at Okehampton which maybe of interest
to your audience,
Kind regards,
David Ellis

https://www.dartmoor-railway-sa.org/comingsgoings <https://www.dartmoor-railway-sa.org/comingsgoings>

Many thanks to David Ellis for the above link, it is very interesting.

Coleford Junction

Coleford Junction signal box. A view from a train leaving the double track line to Barnstaple and taking the double track line to Okehampton and beyond to Plymouth. This picture by Chris Osment is dated 1972

Coleford Junc. Picture taken from From Bubble 55016 on the 26th August 1971 Copyright Ron Kosys

Bow

Courtesy Mike Morant Collection

Bow station, looking towards North Tawton on the 5th September 1961. We are standing on the up platform and an up train has been accepted and the home signal pulled off.North Tawton, 5th September 1961 looking towards Okehampton. This picture is the copyright of J. Eyers and is supplied from the collections of Graham Bowden and South West Circle - with permission.

Bow. 5th September 1961 looking towards Coleford Junction, Crediton and Exeter. This picture is the copyright of J. Eyers and is supplied from the collections of Graham Bowden and South West Circle - with permission.

An interlude at Bow in 1971 with Ron Kosys

Thursday 26th August 1971. Bubble, 55016.

Interestingly, unlike my visit to the Bridport branch on the same Railrover, EVERY service had at least one other revenue passenger as well as myself (poor English but you know what I mean...).
On this day, revenue recorders were travelling on every train, recording in detail with a Dictaphone the stations between which each passenger was travelling, along with the type of ticket they were using/holding or purchasing from the guard on the train.

I spent time at each of the stations that was due to close with the withdrawal of the Okehampton service.

Had I known a Hymek would be passing through with a train of loaded ballast from Meldon Quarry I would NOT have remained on that platform I can assure you. Ron

Boz - 26th August 1971 Copyright Ron Kosys

Having deposited Ron the 'Bubble' departs towards Okehampton. Boz - 26th August 1971 Copyright Ron Kosys

Two passengers await the service towards Exeter. Boz - 26th August 1971 Copyright Ron Kosys

A general view of the station looking towards Exeter. Boz - 26th August 1971 Copyright Ron Kosys

Hymek 7065 passes through with a train from Meldon. 26th August 1971 Copyright Ron Kosys

Its 15.28 on the 26th August 1971 and Rons train arrives to take him towards Okehampton. Copyright Ron Kosys

Bow station looking quite spick and span 13th April 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

Bow station up platform 13th April 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

Bow up shelter in 1985 Copyright Keith Jenkin

Bow, a general view looking towards Coleford Junction 1985 (Note how the vegetation has grown up since 1977 Copyright Keith Jenkin

Bow in 1985, looking in the same direction as above but further back showing goods shed. Copyright Keith Jenkin.

Courtesy Mike Roach Collection

Courtesy Mike Morant Collection

From a level crossing west of Bow

A smashing view of 'The Thumper' taken by 11 year old Alec Gaskell on the occasion of the 150th Anniversary of the line. This was taken from a level crossing with the farmers permission. 1st November 2015

North Tawton

Courtesy Mike Morant Collection

No doubt where this is - North Tawton. 5th September 1961 looking towards Okehampton. The track level here has been raised considerably to improve the clearances on a nearby Rail over road bridge. This picture is the copyright of J. Eyers and is supplied from the collections of Graham Bowden and South West Circle - with permission.

An interlude at North Tawton in 1971. Ron Kosys

The dreaded notice at North Tawton, 26th August 1971. Copyright Ron Kosys

Bubble 55016 runs in past the running in board at North Tawton on the 26th August 1971 Copyright Ron Kosys

The station buildings and footbridge at North Tawton. 26th August 1971. Copyright Ron Kosys

A view from the footbridge at North Tawton. 26th August 1971. Copyright Ron Kosys

Two passengers for Bubble car 55016 ready to board the service for Exeter. 26th August 1971. Copyright Ron Kosys

North Tawton on the 13th April 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

North Tawton 29th December 1977 Copyright Roger Winnen

North Tawton in 1985, The trackbed has been raised considerably to enable a new rail over road bridge to be installed, as below. Copyright Keith Jenkin

North Tawton in 1985 - the raised bridge. Copyright Keith Jenkin

Sampford Courtenay

8/1/1867 opened as Okehampton Road
3/10/1871 renamed as Belstone Corner (no label exists for that name BTW)
1/1/1872 renamed as Sampford Courtenay

Many thanks to Mike Morant for this information

The DARTMOOR RAILWAY SUPPORTERS ASSOCIATION
Operate passenger services on an irregular basis between Meldon Quarry and Okehampton with some continuing to Sampford Courtney.

The DRSA have a most excellent and very much recommended website, for much more detail, photographs etc - please click on the link below:-
http://www.dartmoor-railway-sa.org/resources

For the latest update - December 2015 - Click here http://www.dartmoor-railway-sa.org/news

Sampford Courtenay station on the 5th September 1961. This picture is the copyright of J. Eyers and is supplied from the collections of Graham Bowden and South West Circle - with permission.

Sampford Courtenay 5th May 1961 Rebuilt West Country 34104 Bere Alston passing with the 0825 from Plymouth. This picture is the copyright of J. Eyers and is supplied from the collections of Graham Bowden and South West Circle - with permission.

Home signal at Sampford Courtenay. 5th September 1961 This picture is the copyright of J. Eyers and is supplied from the collections of Graham Bowden and South West Circle - with permission.

A single car DMU near Sampford Courtenay in Oct 1970 Copyright Mike Roach

An interlude at Sampford Courtenay by Ron Kosys

On the 20th August 1971 with only weeks to go we see, running light towards Meldon D833 heads through on the down line. Nowadays only the up line remains. Copyright Ron Kosys D833, named 'Panther' was put to traffic on the 6th July 1960 and withdrawn on the 3rd October 1971 - it met its fate being cut up at Swindon on the 5th February 1972.

Bubble car 55016 runs into Sampford Courtenay on the 20th August 1971. Copyright Ron Kosys

Bubble car 55016 stands at Sampford Courteney. 20th August 1971 Copyright Ron Kosys

33102+33208 pass through the former station site at Sampford Courtenay on the 23rd June 1989 with the 7V80 to 0408 Woking to Meldon Quarry. This former station on the LSWR route from Coleford Junction to Okehampton and Plymouth closed to passengers on the 5th June 1972. Copyright Ron Kosys.

A general view of Sampford Courtenay station in December 1985 Copyright Keith Jenkin

Sampford Courtenay down platform shelter in 1985 Copyright Keith Jenkin

A D800 Warship near Sampford Courtenay with a stone train from Meldon. It is October 1970 Copyright Mike Roach

Fatherford Viaduct

Paul Barlow writes - A couple of shots from 1985. Location is Fatherford viaduct near Okehampton

These photos would be impossible today even if there were were trains, as this view point has been completely ruined by the building of the A30 dual carriageway. The A30 now runs parallel with the viaduct probably about 50 yards between each other. There was a lot of controversy at the time as the road was to built on the National park, but it went ahead anyway.

The first shot is from the hill opposite the viaduct, the return working if stood in the same spot today you would be on the northbound carriageway of the A30.

Hope these are of interest - very much so - many thanks to you Paul.

31319 Fatherford Viaduct Laira to Meldon weedkiller Bank holiday Monday 6 May 1985 Copyright Paul Barlow.

31319 Meldon to Laira weedkiller Bank holiday Monday 6th May 1985. Copyright Paul Barlow.

More on Fatherford Viaduct -
the Okehampton By - pass.
An article by Colin Burgess

Dear Keith, You must be so thankful not getting regular, lengthy despatches from Christow, though I'm sure you won't mind the occasional one. Paul Barlow sent some shots a while ago of Fatherford Viaduct before the wretched dual carriageway was built through the ancient Okehampton Castle deer park, in contravention not only of the spirit of the national parks but also of the D.o.E's. own guidance on trunk road building. This prompted me to scan the shots I took in October, 1992, three years after the incursion was completed. One can't be far away from where Paul was standing. [image: Fatherford 1.png] [image: Fatherford 2.png] [image: Fatherford 3.png] [image: Fatherford 4.png] [image: Fatherford 5.png] [image: Fatherford 6.png] [image: Fatherford 7.png] These shots were taken in part to illustrate the relative impact of road and rail on the landscape and to rubbish the cost-benefit analysis formula which made possible the building of new roads but could not be applied to railway development. This is an interesting reflection on the Okehampton Bypass Inquiry, which started more than 40 years ago. https://campaignerkate.wordpress.com/2019/05/12/okehampton-bypass-inquiry-40-years-ago/ My "Scouting" page is being improved as I go along. With best wishes, Colin Burges

N.B. The copies of the reports concerning the inquiry into the building of the by-pass are very much worth an examination and it is with Many Thanks to Colin that we invite you to sample the extensive material available on the link which he has provided - see above.

The Okehampton by pass - the A30 - nowadays carrying considerably more traffic than it did then. October 1992 Copyright Colin Burges.

Okehampton by-pass, rail and road alongside each other - looking towards Coleford Junction. October 1992. Copyright Colin Burges.

Okehampton by-pass a view across the now single track to Meldon Quarry. Seen here in October 1992. Copyright Colin Burges.

A track level oblique view of Fatherford Viaduct. October 1992. Copyright Colin Burges.

Taken from almost the same position as the view which Paul Barlow took on the 6th May 1985. Fatherford viaduct and the line beyond towards Coleford Junction is just visible. October 1992. Copyright Colin Burges.

With many thanks to Colin for his article. One hopes, fingers crossed that this line will be re-instated from Meldon through to Tavistock. October 1992. Copyright Colin Burges. Now if you haven't checked Colins collected report on the inquiry please click here. https://campaignerkate.wordpress.com/2019/05/12/okehampton-bypass-inquiry-40-years-ago

Okehampton

Bubble 22029 at the up platform waiting for sacks of mail to be loaded. 22nd July 1971. Copyright Ron Kosys

A member of staff walks down the platform. 22nd July 1971. Copyright Ron Kosys

And finally 55029 sets off back to Exeter. 22nd July 1971. Copyright Ron Kosys

1970-71 picture. The ‘bubble car’ has arrived at the Down platform and unloaded, and is now moving back across the crossover in the distance before reversing back into the Up platform. This was after closure of the line west of Meldon, but before the line from Crediton was singled. Note the collection of vans in the yard. Copyright Chris Osment

The last passenger service train 5th January 1972. Copyright Chris Osment

The last passenger train at Okehampton. 5th January 1972 Copyright Chris Osment.

Okehampton in the 70's Copyright Keith Jenkin

Okehampton Goods shed 1973 Copyright Chris Osment

A 'Western' at work in the goods yard in 1973. Copyright Chris Osment