Tarka Line
Hollywood came to Barnstaple last week at the film premiere of four new promotional videos showing how easy it is to explore North Devon by train and bus.
The films highlight the easy onward bus connections at Barnstaple railway station to destinations including Ilfracombe, Instow, Bideford and Lynton. Read more
Additional CCTV cameras have been installed at Barnstaple station in a joint project with the Stationmaster’s Cafe there.
12 new high quality CCTV cameras and a recording system have been installed, improving coverage of the perimeter of the cafe and station.Where Read more
A new interactive history trail has been launched in Crediton with the aim of encouraging more visitors to the town by train. The trail has been put together by the Turning Tides Project which is based in Crediton Station Tea Rooms.The Read more
The Exeter – Barnstaple Tarka Line now has the best service of its entire 165 year existence and in this post I’m going to take you back to show why that is true.
First off, what does “Best ever” mean here? Read more
Two pieces of colourful artwork, Direction of Travel signs, have been installed at Tarka Line stations, one at Copplestone, the other at Umberleigh.
The artwork was designed by Exeter College of Art students Jasmine Liu and Estha Ferris. Jasmine designed the sign at Copplestone station and Estha the sign at Umberleigh. Read more
The GWR timetable change – what does it mean for you?
This Sunday (15 Dec 2019) sees the biggest timetable change on the Great Western Railway network since 1976. Journey times will change, with more frequent trains and more seats.
Find out what it means for you with our quick summary below. Read more
Barnstaple railway station now has free wi-fi throughout the station thanks to a partnership between the Tarka Rail Association, Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership and GWR.
The wi-fi equipment has been supplied by local company Lineal Software Solutions of The Strand, Barnstaple. Read more
To highlight the fact that both the start (Cranbrook) and finish (Barnstaple) of the Tour of Britain’s second stage were easily accessible by train, we ran a marketing campaign developed in consultation with our partners at South Western Railway and Great Western Railway. Read more
A group of students from Petroc College have spent two weeks of action at Barnstaple station as part of the National Citizen Service.
The students spent a week fundraising for activities, which included a cake sale at the station, then a week making over the planters on the disused platform. Read more
GWR has funded a pair of DCRP live departure apps to allow passengers to check their train on their phone before they arrive at the station.
The apps (one for Devon stations, one for Cornwall stations) are closely based on a similar app from TransWilts Community Rail Partnership. Read more
CASE STUDY | We have launched Foodie Guides for four branch lines to highlight food businesses along each route that champion local produce and sustainability, and to inspire rail travel to the area.
Name the train to win rail tickets
A new train has arrived at Barnstaple station and we want your ideas for what it should be called. Suggest a name below – the best suggestion will win a pair of standard class tickets anywhere on the Great Western network. Read more
The Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership is working with the South West region of CAMRA and its local branches to promote rail travel and support real ale pubs.
The Partnership has produced bar runners (shown above at the Bay Horse Inn, Totnes), posters and beer mats that are being distributed by CAMRA members in local pubs. Read more
In response to the growing importance of video marketing, the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership has produced a series of short films to showcase the South West’s scenic branch lines.
The videos – all under 90 seconds long – have been promoted through targeted Facebook advertising, reaching hundreds of thousands of people and garnering an extremely positive response. Read more
A much-loved book of walks from the Exeter-Barnstaple railway line makes a welcome return this spring with the launch of an updated second edition.
Tarka Line Walks by local author Peter Craske features scenic strolls from the line’s 13 stations. Since it first saw the light of day eight years ago, Tarka Line Walks has attracted an enthusiastic following. Read more
The Friends of Crediton Station braved the rainy weather today to plant bulbs and celebrate the station’s new signage to welcome passengers.
The Partnership is currently running a recruitment drive to attract new members to the group – which has already garnered two new volunteers. Read more
The Partnership has completed a four-month Facebook advertising campaign to raise the profile of the branch lines and inspire people to take day trips by train.
Concluding last week, it reached more than 390,000 people and helped to double traffic to our Great Scenic Railways website. Read more
Whether you use the train or not, if you live in North or Mid Devon please help us to shape future railway services on the Barnstaple-Exeter line by completing this short survey.
Take the survey
Who should take the survey?
As well as current rail users, we are particularly keen to hear from those who rarely, if ever, use the trains and people who live in Barnstaple, Crediton or one of the villages served by the line and use Tiverton Parkway or another station in preference to the one most local to them. Read more
Train trips to Barnstaple from Exeter and local stations including Topsham and Crediton are half-price starting this week, thanks to a new offer to encourage more people to explore North Devon on the scenic Tarka Line.
From Saturday 22nd October, day return tickets are just £5 from Exeter stations, instead of the usual £10. Read more
The Tarka Rail Association has gained some excellent coverage in the North Devon Journal, celebrating the continuing growth of passenger numbers on the Tarka Line (Exeter-Barnstaple).
Read the full article on the North Devon Journal website, or read more about the Partnership’s work with the Tarka Rail Association to develop the line over many years. Read more