Dartmoor re-joins national network
THE 16-MILE Dartmoor Railway from Coleford Junction to Meldon Quarry has been purchased by Network Rail from Aggregate Industries, as work towards returning regular passenger train services to the line progresses.
The change of ownership was celebrated in a special event at Okehampton station on July 1, where a set of keys for the station were handed over to the new owners, along with a ‘train staff’ for the line.
Aggregate Industries has owned the line for more than 25 years having acquired it from British Rail in 1994, and operated aggregate services to and from Meldon Quarry until 2008. After this the owner supported train operations by granting a long-term lease to the Dartmoor Rail Company. After the Dartmoor Rail Company went into administration last year, Aggregate Industries has worked collaboratively with Network Rail and Great Western Railway (GWR to understand what infrastructure works and improvements are required to enable GWR to operate trains safely on the line.
Devon County Council transferred ownership of the northern part of Okehampton station to Network Rail for a peppercorn fee of £1, enabling the station and platform to formally become part of the national network. The council has retained ownership of the southern side of the station and will maintain the footbridge to allow connectivity between the two sides of the station.