Tarka Line

North Devon tourism videos launched with film premiere at Barnstaple station

19th July 2022
Rail and bus representatives in front of 310 bus
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

More CCTV at Barnstaple station

8th December 2021
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

New interactive history trail launched in Crediton

8th December 2021
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 Tarka Line’s best ever service – or is it?

8th April 2020
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

Showing the way on the Tarka Line

31st March 2020
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?

11th December 2019
GWR train at St Germans in Cornwall - photo by Antony Christie
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

Free wi-fi at Barnstaple station

7th May 2019
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

Promoting watching the Tour of Britain by train

6th September 2018
Cyclists on Tour of Britain - copyright Tour of Britain image library
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

Petroc College students give Barnstaple station a makeover

6th August 2018
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

Get our free live departures apps

18th July 2018
Devon app screenshot set against backdrop of train on Dawlish coastal route
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

Foodie Guides

26th June 2018
Launch of Avocet Line Foodie Guide
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.

Barnstaple’s newest train needs a name

17th February 2018
Train model at Barnstaple station
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

Partnership teams up with CAMRA

30th January 2018
Bar runner at the Bay Horse Inn, Totnes
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

Quartet of branch line videos

20th October 2017
Four students look out of the train window on the Tarka Line (screenshot from video)
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

Tarka Line Walks – local author back in print with second edition

4th April 2017
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

Friends of Crediton Station brave the cold to give passengers a warm welcome

12th January 2017
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

Facebook campaign to promote branch lines reaches 390,000 people

19th December 2016
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

North Devon rail survey

21st November 2016
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

Exeter to Barnstaple: half-price offer launched

24th October 2016
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

Rail Ale Trails

15th January 2016
CASE STUDY | With widespread pub closures an issue of national concern, the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership supports nearly a hundred real ale pubs through our Rail Ale Trail scheme.