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Dartmoor Line
Reopened after nearly 50 years, the Okehampton line has been a huge success
The Dartmoor Line between Exeter, Crediton and Okehampton reopened in November 2021 – the first line to do so as part of the government’s “Restoring Your Railway” initiative.
The reopening was the result of years of hard work and campaigning. It was a true team effort bringing together the local community, Devon County Council, GWR, Network Rail and many other partners. We have been proud to play our part in helping to revive the line – which went without a regular, year-round passenger service for nearly 50 years after its closure in 1972.
Since the return of the initial two-hourly service, the line has gone from strength to strength.
In May 2022, the service was doubled to provide hourly trains. Later the same year, Okehampton station building opened with its cafe, Dartmoor National Park visitor centre, Dartmoor Railway Association shop, heritage booking hall, waiting room and more.
In November 2022, Rail Minister Huw Merriman visited to celebrate more than quarter of a million journeys made in the Dartmoor Line’s first year.
And in early 2023 the government announced Levelling Up funding for a brand new station, Okehampton Parkway, which will serve the east of the town as well as providing easy access from the A30.
On behalf of the project partners we built and continue to manage the official Dartmoor Line website.
Formed in 2015, the OkeRail forum is made up of a range of stakeholders and has played a key role in the return of the Dartmoor Line – presenting a unified voice from the community to champion the return of their railway.
The tireless efforts over many years of the volunteers from the DRA have been crucial to the success story of the Dartmoor Line and of Okehampton station. Find out more on their website.