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

Bere Ferrers Spring Flower Show

4th April 2017
Plymouth residents are being encouraged to take the train to Bere Ferrers on Saturday 8th April 2017 to enjoy the spring colours of the Tamar Valley at the village’s annual Spring Flower Show. The Bere Ferrers Spring Flower Show has long been renowned for its daffodil displays and there will be over thirty classes of the popular flower as well as other categories such as produce, cakes and jams. Read more

Visit Cotehele on the Calstock Rover special train

14th March 2017
Dog owners in Plymouth are being invited to explore the National Trust estate at Cotehele by catching one of two “Calstock Rover” trains from Plymouth to Calstock this Sunday, 19 March. The Calstock Rover will be part of the regular Tamar Valley Line service leaving Plymouth station at 09 20 and 11 06 on Sunday morning. Read more

Cornwall’s Daffodil Trains

28th February 2017
The link between the railways and the daffodil industry in Cornwall is being celebrated in Falmouth this month. Exhibition A month-long exhibition running from 2nd-31st March at The Municipal Buildings, The Moor, will explore the relationship between the railways and daffodils growers, tracing it right back to the days of steam. Read more

Coco’s carbon reduction challenge

28th February 2017
We are helping eight primary schools near the Looe and Tamar Valley lines to act as green travel ambassadors – with inspiration from Coco the Cat! Using their powers of persuasion, pupils from the schools will be encouraging their teachers, families and friends to change their normal habits and try the train. Read more

Half-term ‘Teddy on the train’ campaign returns

9th February 2017
The Partnership’s ‘Take your Teddy on the train’ half-term promotion returns this February, in partnership with Great Western Railway and the Friends of the Atlantic Coast Line. Previously run on the Looe Valley, Tamar Valley and Maritime lines, this year the campaign is targeting the Atlantic Coast Line that links Par and Newquay. Read more

Itineraries

8th February 2017
Rail itineraries are a great way to inspire tourists. We’re keen to use them on the upcoming Scenic Rail Britain website. Here’s an example for tourists in London. We’ve aimed to make it detailed enough to be appealing (with handy links), but without specific times/fares which may change: St Ives Bay Line – example itinerary FROM LONDON: Take the high speed Great Western Railway train from London Paddington to Penzance. 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

Partnership recognised at national awards

3rd October 2016
The Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership was recognised in multiple categories at the annual Community Rail Awards held in Southport on 29th September 2016, and helped Great Western Railway to win the prestigious overall award. Organised by the Association of Community Rail Partnerships (ACoRP), the event saw the Partnership’s ‘Song for the Tamar Valley Line’ project win first place in the Community Art Schemes (Renewable and smaller projects) category. Read more

Keyham station brightened with children’s artwork

26th September 2016
The Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership has helped children from Drake Primary School to improve their local station with artwork inspired by the Tamar Valley Line. The pupils were taught how to sketch by professional illustrator Lucy Pulleyblank, and then took a trip on the train to picturesque Calstock and put their new skills to work. Read more

Annual review 2016

8th September 2016
We’ve launched our annual review. It sets out the highlights and successes of the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership’s year so far. From South West Trains joining the partnership, to news of our latest innovative marketing and community projects, find out more by downloading the 16-page booklet (6MB). Read more

Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership conference 2016

8th September 2016
We were pleased to welcome more than 50 delegates from the South West and beyond to Plymouth University for the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership conference 2016. Held on Wednesday 7th September, the event brought together a wide range of organisations including friends of the station groups, rail and public transport user groups, Community Rail Partnerships, local authorities, train operating companies, Network Rail, the Department for Transport, the Association of Community Rail Partnerships, universities, bus operators, Travelwatch South West, Railfuture, Town and Parish Councils and more. Read more

Guest opinion piece in Railnews

6th September 2016
Richard Burningham, Manager of the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership, has a guest opinion piece in September’s Railnews. The article sets out the great strides that Devon and Cornwall’s branch lines have made since 1991 when the Partnership began. It also explores how this success has been mirrored by the wider community rail sector nationwide, and the bright future ahead. Read more

The Munchtime Express

4th September 2016
CASE STUDY | Local restaurants gain great publicity and the chance to interact with potential customers face-to-face thanks to our annual Munchtime Express campaign. Read more

South West Trains joins the partnership

22nd August 2016
Devon will be more widely promoted away from the county thanks to a new rail initiative as South West Trains joins the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership. The Plymouth University based non-profit partnership, one of the Country’s largest Community Rail Partnerships, works to promote and seek improvements to services and facilities on rural railway lines in the two counties. Read more

Exeter St Thomas welcome judges from national awards

15th August 2016
Representatives from the Friends of Exeter St Thomas, Great Western Railway and the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership welcomed judges from the national Community Rail Awards to the much-improved station today. The station has been shortlisted in the It’s Your Station category. Read more

Partnership shortlisted in six categories of national awards

10th August 2016
The Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership has had six entries shortlisted for 2016’s national Community Rail Awards. The nominations are: A song for the Tamar Valley Line (Community Art Schemes – renewable and smaller projects) Linking two schools at either end of the beautiful Tamar Valley Line, this project aimed to broaden the horizons of the children involved by getting them out of the classroom and on to the train to create a song which captured the essence of the line and inspire the local population to visit too. Read more