WITH regard to the last issue of the Courier (June 12) and in particular, to the item in Palin's Ponderings about the Dartmoor Sunday Rover summer timetables. The position regarding the service from Crediton has now become clear!

The information given in the original article was correct at the time of writing (May 31). Rumours had persisted that a train service from Exeter to Okehampton, serving Crediton and Sampford Courtenay would run on Sundays from June 7 but this was only confirmed as happening after the article had been written and confirmation was difficult.

However, being a member of the Dartmoor Railway Supporter's Association I attended their AGM at Okehampton on June 20 and was able to raise the issue of the train service.

I am now able to confirm that the train service from Exeter to Okehampton runs five times each Sunday up to and including September 20 as part of the Dartmoor Sunday Rover.

These trains will depart Crediton Station at 9.23am, 11.22am, 1.22pm, 3.22pm and 5.22pm.

Departure times from Okehampton and returning to Crediton are 10.02am, 12.02am, 2.02pm, 4.02pm and 6.02pm.

The Dartmoor Railway runs on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays between Okehampton and Meldon Quarry (Sundays) and Okehampton to Sampford Courtenay to Meldon Quarry (Saturdays and Bank Holidays).

Leaflets detailing both of these services are now available. A copy can be viewed at the Courier office.

The Dartmoor Railway facilities are fully operational at Okehampton Station but the buffet at Meldon Quarry is yet to re-open.

Apart from trains between Exeter and Okehampton, Plymouth to Gunnislake, this year you can use your Sunday Rover ticket on the Sunday Exeter to Barnstaple (Tarka Line) trains as well.

This year the Sunday Rover costs £6.50 (adult) £4.30 (child five-15 years), £16 (family up to two adults and three children).

There is no specific senior citizen Sunday Rover fare due to the fact that holders of National bus passes can travel free on all Sunday Rover bus services.

Holders of senior citizen railcards can obtain a reduction of the train fares on lines covered by the tickets.

For those travelling on the Dartmoor Railway services, senior citizens get a reduction on their train fare on that railway, so too do holders of Sunday Rover tickets.

National bus pass holders who are under pensionable age and are in possession of a railcard should enquire on the train as to the discounts which may be available.

I hope this clears up any misunderstanding given in the previous article.

So, if you want a cheap day out without having to use the car then use the Dartmoor Sunday Rover this year.

G J Palin