Okehampton Interchange
open for business
Andrew & Diane Jones
In a week which sadly witnessed the closure of the once-extensive Par Harbour railway system, there was also some good news.
Another major milestone has been achieved with the opening of a readily accessible station serving a considerable area of North Devon and North Cornwall.
Okehampton Interchange represents a significant investment and provides additional parking for 200 cars, along with easy links to the A30.
One hopes that Okehampton Town will continue to flourish with its wonderful buffet and Southern Railway atmosphere, but it will inevitably lose some revenue due, in part, to its position high above the town centre and its limited parking.
Hopefully, the two stations will increase capacity and complement what has already proved to be a very successful project, demonstrating that, given the right circumstances, railways have an important role to play in our modern world.
With much criticism of pricing on many rail routes, the Okehampton line represents very good value at just over £9 return, together with sensible parking charges of just £2 per day.
To put this into perspective, we now live midway between Okehampton and Liskeard at Berriow Bridge, near North Hill, yet the cost of travelling from Liskeard to Exeter is approximately three times the price of a return journey from Okehampton.
The new interchange brings Bude and Camelford within the umbrella of rail connections in under an hour and, in my view, hopefully proves that Tavistock would certainly be viable if only the Government would change its strict cost-benefit criteria and align its thinking with other forms of highly subsidised transport provision, such as Newquay Airport.
Although most recent proposals have focused on reconnecting Tavistock to Bere Alston, it has been overlooked that Okehampton, given its success, should really be the target, with Plymouth following at a later stage. Who knows?
Rather than dismissing resurrection of the route by highlighting Meldon Viaduct as an obstacle, the positives outweigh any engineering difficulties. Reopening this spectacular section of moorland would create a route equal to anything on the Settle and Carlisle, while also unlocking significant tourism potential and the income it would generate.
Hopefully, all the local MPs and dignitaries who attended the opening event on Friday, 31st July 2026, will take note.
I would expect regular strengthening from two-car to four-car sets in the near future, along with the possible reopening of Sampford Courtenay, which already benefits from station improvements made during the earlier weekend summer services before the full reopening experiments of a few years ago.
Please enjoy these photographs of the very first scheduled service and the modern facilities now on offer—something that would have been inconceivable just ten years ago. It shows that anything is possible.
RIP Par Docks.
Another major milestone has been achieved with the opening of a readily accessible station serving a considerable area of North Devon and North Cornwall.
Okehampton Interchange represents a significant investment and provides additional parking for 200 cars, along with easy links to the A30.
One hopes that Okehampton Town will continue to flourish with its wonderful buffet and Southern Railway atmosphere, but it will inevitably lose some revenue due, in part, to its position high above the town centre and its limited parking.
Hopefully, the two stations will increase capacity and complement what has already proved to be a very successful project, demonstrating that, given the right circumstances, railways have an important role to play in our modern world.
With much criticism of pricing on many rail routes, the Okehampton line represents very good value at just over £9 return, together with sensible parking charges of just £2 per day.
To put this into perspective, we now live midway between Okehampton and Liskeard at Berriow Bridge, near North Hill, yet the cost of travelling from Liskeard to Exeter is approximately three times the price of a return journey from Okehampton.
The new interchange brings Bude and Camelford within the umbrella of rail connections in under an hour and, in my view, hopefully proves that Tavistock would certainly be viable if only the Government would change its strict cost-benefit criteria and align its thinking with other forms of highly subsidised transport provision, such as Newquay Airport.
Although most recent proposals have focused on reconnecting Tavistock to Bere Alston, it has been overlooked that Okehampton, given its success, should really be the target, with Plymouth following at a later stage. Who knows?
Rather than dismissing resurrection of the route by highlighting Meldon Viaduct as an obstacle, the positives outweigh any engineering difficulties. Reopening this spectacular section of moorland would create a route equal to anything on the Settle and Carlisle, while also unlocking significant tourism potential and the income it would generate.
Hopefully, all the local MPs and dignitaries who attended the opening event on Friday, 31st July 2026, will take note.
I would expect regular strengthening from two-car to four-car sets in the near future, along with the possible reopening of Sampford Courtenay, which already benefits from station improvements made during the earlier weekend summer services before the full reopening experiments of a few years ago.
Please enjoy these photographs of the very first scheduled service and the modern facilities now on offer—something that would have been inconceivable just ten years ago. It shows that anything is possible.
RIP Par Docks.
1st August 2026 first official service. 01.08.2026, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
Set 150249 2 car formation 07.05 to Okehampton.(guard and manager see off first train to call at the interchange). 01.08.2026, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
Return Okehampton Interchange 07.25 service. 01.08.2026, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
General views of the station. Click for enlargements. 01.08.2026, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
Ironwork beneath Meldon Viaduct. 01.08.2026, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
Ironwork beneath Meldon Viaduct. 01.08.2026, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
Rolling views of Dartmoor from the base of Meldon Viaduct. 01.08.2026, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
Andrew with some souvenirs! 01.08.2026, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
Many thanks Andrew and Diane - great to see and thanks for the interesting article.
Paddington Greatest Gathering Event
Craig Munday
We've been away enjoying Cumbria & Edinburgh. On our way back I was aware from information on X that a Avanti class 390 was due into Paddington. With a +18 connection off the tube for the 12.03 this was a thin opportunity. Fortunately, the 390 rolled into plat 7 bang on time. 57604 and a GWR Hitachi sat on the adjacent platform which allowed me some hurried shots.
The event was to commemorate 12 months since the Aug 2025 Greatest Gathering.
I would assume that two platforms out of action at midday on Fri 31st July was a challenge for the operations team. The Lawn was packed with people.
The 12.03 set ran into plat 9, with an inevitable late start.
The event was to commemorate 12 months since the Aug 2025 Greatest Gathering.
I would assume that two platforms out of action at midday on Fri 31st July was a challenge for the operations team. The Lawn was packed with people.
The 12.03 set ran into plat 9, with an inevitable late start.
London Paddington Greatest Gathering Ceremony featuring 57604 and 390200 along with a GWR Hitachi IET. 31.07.2026, copyright Craig Munday.
London Paddington Greatest Gathering Ceremony featuring 57604 and 390200 along with a GWR Hitachi IET. 31.07.2026, copyright Craig Munday.
Many thanks indeed Craig - very unusual to see a Pendolino under the roof of Paddington.
Paddington in the 1970's
Roger Geach
Further to my recent picture, here is brush 47 No. 1723 (later 47540) at Paddington. I have no date but it's circa 1972/1973. 1A88 could be 1B88, the 1745 Paddington to Westbury, but I am not certain at all about this at all. Copyright Roger Geach.
Many thanks Roger. Your photo arrived just in time to slot in beneath Craigs article. Although I'm sure we'd all rather have the trains in your photograph, it must be said that it looks a far cleaner environment in the modern-day pictures.
A day in Devon
Jon Hird
My first look at the new Okehampton Interchange as 150249 calls on the 1323 Okehampton - Exeter Central. 01.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
150249 awaiting departure from Okehampton Interchange. 01.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
158951 approaching Starcross with the 1617 Paignton - Exmouth. 01.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
165103 departs Starcross with the 1626 Exmouth - Paignton. 01.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
802103 heading east at Starcross with the 1711 Torquay - London Paddington. 01.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
150219 and 150243 head towards Cockwood Harbout with the 1655 Exmouth - Paignton. 01.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Finally, 57302 top and tailed with 47805 approach Starcross working the 1635 Kingswear - Shewsbury 'English Riviera Express' (vice-steam). 01.08.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
57302
Paul Barlow
57302 (47805 on rear) approaches Stoke Canon crossing running 17 minutes early on the 1635 Kingswear to Shrewsbury. 01.08.2026, copyright Paul Barlow.
Nice shot Paul - many thanks.
Swindon Sulzers
Colin Pidgeon
47593 top & tail 47712 [both in immaculate condition] on 1Z47 Crewe to Bristol Temple Meads. Past Swindon 31 EARLY [having missed out two 'pathing' stops in the Oxford area - see Real Train Times (RTT)] and apparently should have stopped alongside platform 3 at Swindon. 01.08.2026, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
47593 top & tail 47712 [both in immaculate condition] on 1Z47 Crewe to Bristol Temple Meads. Past Swindon 31 EARLY [having missed out two 'pathing' stops in the Oxford area - see Real Train Times (RTT)] and apparently should have stopped alongside platform 3 at Swindon. 01.08.2026, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
Many thanks Colin - lovely clean locos and stock.
St. Germans Sunset
Jon Hird
Late-running 802013 and 802014 work the 1703 Paddington - Penzance across St. Germans viaduct on 31.07.2026. Copyright Jon Hird.
After being held at Plymouth for the IET's to overtake it, 66759 crosses St. Germans viaduct with the Cliffe Vale - Goonbarrow empty JIA's. 31.07.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
66759 and 6V72 head west into a fiery sunset, passing through St. Germans station. The sky was awash with colour. 31.07.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
August 1976
Part 2
Roger Winnen
Winchester Station. 01.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Winchester City Station. 01.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Exterior of Winchester City Station. 01.08.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.