New logo heralds Dartmoor Line reopening

SHORTLY AFTER this issue of Railways Illustrated closed for press, daily services on the Dartmoor Line, linking Okehampton with Exeter St Davids, were due to be launched.

Starting from November 20, the initial timetable will see eight trains in both directions throughout the day, with a service operating roughly every two hours, although Great Western Railway (GWR) states that service frequencies on the line will increase to an hourly service from next spring.

During October and November, GWR have been operating driver training trains over the route in preparation for the opening while Network Rail staff carried out final snagging works in readiness for welcoming back regular passenger services.

A competition organised by GWR to design a new logo for the launch of the line was won by 16-year-old Okehamprton student Tom Watts. His design shows a walker climbing the Dartmoor tors, and will be featured on station signs, posters and timetables, as well as appearing on a GWR train.

GWR’S head of strategic service development, Matt Barnes, said: “We wanted a logo that symbolises Dartmoor, and Tom’s design does that perfectly. The Dartmoor tors are iconic and visible for miles around – if you’ve enjoyed the breathtaking beauty of Dartmoor, you will have encountered one of these granite masses.

“We are excited to be returning year-round passenger services along this route for the first time in 49 years, and Tom’s roundel design will become a permanent fixture on the Dartmoor Line.”

Speaking about his winning entry, Tom said: “I was surprised yet delighted to have won.

“It is incredible that my logo design will be associated with the Dartmoor Line for many years to come.

“The silhouette of the walker in my logo represents me next year, doing Ten Tors with Exeter Maths School.

“It also represents the freedom given by the moors, welcome both during and after the restrictions of the pandemic.”

The Dartmoor Line closed to regular passenger services in June 1972, although the route remained in use for aggregate traffic at Meldon Quarry.

Part of the route was operated as a heritage line for several years, while GWR also operated Sunday services on the line periodically.

Further coverage on the reopening of the Dartmoor Line will be contained in the next issue of Railways Illustrated.

Craig Munday On November 8, 2021, 150234 stands in the platform at the attractive station at Okehampton during a driver training trip along the line. The Dartmoor Line reopened to regular passenger services on November 20.

GWR 16-year-old Okehampton student Tom Watts won a GWR organised competition to design a new logo to promote the Dartmoor Line. He stands at Okehampton with his design alongside one of the new station name boards for the station.