Moonraker wrote:
I was very interested to see that Okehampton could well be de-Beechingalised soon. The railway already runs trains to the town on Summer Sundays (although I was greatly saddened to see that all the old artefacts had been sold off to a local dealer), and plans are at an advanced stage to run trains from Plymouth to Tavistock. That will just leave a comparitively short distance to repair the break between Tavistock and Okehampton. Then the mighty LSWR route to south Devon will be re-instated. 159s running between Waterloo and Plymouth on Southern metals! Can't wait - mind you, I'm not holding my breath.
No, I wouldn't either. You're likely to die of asphyxiation! It's a complicated state of affairs at the old station with ownership of the tracks, station and running rights of trains all owned by different people.
Whilst it would certainly serve a purpose to alleviate pressure on the existing line particularly when closed due to rough seas, actual uptake by the town itself I think is doubtful in it's present set up. The current station is on top of a big hill, meaning it is out of the way for a lot of the town and that's partly the reason for it's closure originally - nobody went up there to use it! Currently there is a shuttle bus which could be extended to serve the station, but since when did public transport ever run in harmony?!
About a year ago a survery was posted around the town asking for opinions as to frequency of trains and the building of a parkway type station, but sadly I don't think anything will come of it for us mere locals!
So, sadly I think the cost of replacing the tracks etc etc I think will probably outweigh the benefits to the area in whose ever opinion it is that assesses these things. If it was that profitable, I doubt it ever would have been closed.
Manzy
Quite a few Dean Rewards and modern reprints.
I too have noticed an increase in the number of Enid Blyton books in the charity shops, it looks as if they are using their common sense at long last. 
