-Terminal on opposite side of airport has been proposed along with a freight terminal- don't know if it's anything to do with the rail terminal, point is, none of this is going to happen until the new roads/infrastructure for Cranbrook are in place and that looks like being on hold indefinately at the mo. If this does happen then the proposed new station would be less than a mile from the airport terminal, which is good. As far as half hr service  Axminster - Exeter goes, SWT^▸ (South West Trains) have seen steady repatriation of the W of E line but the service locally has now been compromised by the new timetable due to pathing for the 'dynamic loop' at Axminster meaning Whimple, Feniton and Pinhoe see a poorer service from the investment at Axminster and this is where things go against DCC^» (Devon County Council - website) plans to get people back on trains. Lets hope that when a new franchise plan is drawn up that the reinstatement of double track between Pinhoe and (at least) Whimple is proposed which will cater for new freight traffic and pathing of passenger services (especially late ones) between Cranbrook and pinhoe,  provide improved service to the local community, and not just another cheap 'dynamic loop' that will move the problems somewhere else (if the proposed one at whimple goes ahead they may as well go the 'whole hog' to exeter and be done with it!) That would be sensible investment. I've also heard that FGW^▸ (First Great Western) could be providing the service but its all early days and i imagine it's to do with stock availiability, but it's feasible (WR units used to provide a exeter-axminster in the 80s under NSE^▸ (Network South East)) Perhaps Exeter -Yeovil Pen Mill anyone??!!!

What about a re-introduction of through trains from Torbay or Plymouth to Barnstaple??
I know that most passengers would probably like a direct service to central rather than change at St Davids but as it stands most services from Plymouth and some from the bay don't call at central anyway (XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise))/FGW^▸ (First Great Western) Paddington services). Also, most stopping services later at night from the bay terminate at St. Davids so there would be potential especially at weekends. (Haven't seen the new TT yet though so correct me if i'm wrong!)

As to the Signalling at Crediton, I presume there is still freight to/from Meldon so perhaps that is why there are staff at night. (Again, correct me if i'm wrong about this too!!)

Cheers

Ticket splitting works!

I've used a similar method from Exeter to Chippenham which saved me about ^30 at the time and, for some bizzarre reason, NR^» (Network Rail - home page) Enq came up with the return suggestion which prompted me to delve deeper as it quoted for 3 seperate tickets.
 I got it even cheaper by the outward journey:
Out:
Exeter St Davids-Westbury
Westbury-Chippenham
Ret:
Chippenham-Bristol TM^▸ (Train Manager, or possibly Ticket Machine, depending on context)
Bristol TM-Exeter St D

All bought online and picked up from machine at EXD^» (Exeter St Davids - next trains) apart from the Bristol- Exeter as this was XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) service which was an online ticket printed out at home.

Can't remember the exact amount but the direct fare was approx ^75 and the split ticket option came in at about ^40.
Only got asked to produce ticket for inspection between westbury and chippenham so could have been a lot cheaper!!!

As far as going to London Via Salisbury, this route always seems to be cheaper and, if you choose the right train, takes approx 45mins or so longer for usually about half the price.
If u r not in a rush it's the better option

 

Any investment in the railways is welcome, however there are other well used stations in the area which have seen a rise in custom and a reduction in station services.

St Thomas station is well used by commuters as it is just as close to most parts of the city as Central station and provides a good link with local bus services, however, the facilities are pretty rubbish for what it is with no decent sheltered waiting area or seating and a lack of passenger information especially reguarding cancellations or late running. Same can be said for Polsloe Bridge, Starcross and the Warren. I know vandalism etc is a problem at unmanned stations but if SWT^▸ (South West Trains) can do it at Pinhoe then sure FGW^▸ (First Great Western) could sort something out on it's increasingly more well used routes.

Does anyone know if there is any planned investment for other stations in the area- especially the unmanned ones? Lets hope so 

Digby has a new station, sort out the others first!

Hi there,
I'm a regular user of FGW^▸ (First Great Western)/SWT^▸ (South West Trains) services from Exeter, hope to share my thoughts and experiences (good and bad!) and maybe help to improve the services in our area!

Cheers