Weardale, Dartmoor and RMS for sale

As a fully paid-up cynic, the same thought occurred. Does anyone familiar with the area know if any housing developments are proposed? Rail links would certainly be a value-added for any property developers.

Having just checked, this line doesn't seem to be on 'Railfuture" radar as even "priority 2", with only a mention under 'using heritage railways'

 

It's one of 85 schemes bidding for government publicity/funding for an initial feasibility study [before being discarded as there's no budget]

Patrick

 

[QUOTE="
It is a bit off-putting seeing the Anglia marked rolling stock on that photo, tho' I bet the local travellers would enjoy that level of comfort instead of the rattling DMU's or Pacers the rest of us have endured over the years.[/QUOTE]

I travelled in the ones that the Mid Norfolk have put into service at their diesel gala last Saturday and they have rearranged the interior in them by removing the aircraft style seating and reinstating bays of 4 seats with a table around each window. Rather strange travelling in something so recently refurbished and used on the main line, but they provide a good riding experience - rather better than the Pacer that they put into service the same weekend!

 

From the Weardale Railway FB page Dec 2000.
"The Mark 3 coaches, recently withdrawn from mainline service with Greater Anglia will be used on Weardale Railway's special trains from 2021. It is hoped that these coaches will also feature as part of our own planned Beer & Gin and Wine & Cheese trains from next year.
Many view the Mark 3 coach as being the best railway coach ever built for use on the UK network and were also used as part of the InterCity 125 High Speed Train.
Exciting times ahead..."
Maybe 2020.

Looks like the tired less attractive MK2 coaches from Dartmoor have been sold or scrapped, except for one owned by the supporters association.

 

From facebook the 2 CEP EMUs have been scrapped (hopefully some parts recovered to help keep other EMUs servicable) so all the old Dartmoor railway stock has gone from Meldon, but some supporter association and private stock remains.
https://www.dartmoor-railway-association.org/stock
Enough to run a Okehampton to Meldon heritage shuttle if the supporter association get round to it?

https://www.itv.com/news/westcountr...eopen-to-passenger-for-first-time-in-50-years
GWR trains will start on Exeter to Okehampton Nov 20, not sure if ITV got the headline right as trains did work Sundays?

 

What is happening to Okehampton Station buildings? Looks like there is a lot of work going on from that ITV video.

 

Update regarding partial reopening of the Weardale Railway in the link below if of interest at all?

https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/20122104.part-weardale-railway-line-set-re-open-years-closure

Ben

 

Great news, it has been a missing venue to visit up the Dales. One which has not missed out so much due to Covid lock downs perhaps. Mk3 seating on a heritage line to Weardale is a dream to look forward to! This line could happily manage with diesel traction, as long as it is heritage of course.

 

Hmm, it's not very clear what service will be offered, although apparently only between Wolsingham and Stanhope in the first instance. We went on the line a few years ago, and found the connection at Bishop Auckland wasn't very convenient, and we ended up getting a bus back from Stanhope, otherwise we'd have had to spend the whole day there.

 

If you're a fan of Pacer's then you'll probably be in luck.

 

There are no Pacers on the Weardale Railway. The services are planned for Class 122 single car DMU and there are no plans to use any of the Class 31s or the Mk2 or Mk 3 coaching stock for the moment as far as I know.