DARTMOOR Railway (DR) in conjunction with Dartmoor Railway Supporters Association (DRSA) are now running trains on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank holidays between Okehampton and Meldon.

Currently they are using a vintage diesel shunter, with unlimited travel for the day at £5 being the highest ticket price.

There are six trains each way per day and the buffet at Meldon Viaduct is also open on train operating days.

From Sunday, May 15, the Devon County Council-funded Sunday Rover service will commence with four trains each way per day between Exeter, Crediton and Okehampton, giving the opportunity to travel by rail from Crediton to Okehampton by rail and connect with the Meldon shuttle rail service. These services are operated by Great Western Railway, formerly First Great Western.

On Saturday, May 7, a railtour will pass through Crediton on its way to Okehampton.

The train is running non-stop from London Paddington to Plymouth, where it will then reverse and come back through Crediton to its afternoon stop at Okehampton.

The tour will then run from Okehampton to London Waterloo.

It will be powered by a vintage diesel Western, a very popular class of locomotive that is bound to bring out the crowds. It is expected to run through Crediton at about 2pm and 5.20pm.

Alan Quick