Okehampton-Tavistock. Discussion on reopening and potential use as a diversionary route

[whole diary]

[TonyK]

The Peninsular Rail Task Force commissioned a report and the findings of January 2016 are here:-

https://peninsularailtaskforce.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/work-stream-summary-consultation-draft-v1-5-5-16-clean-copy.pdf

Pages 23 -26. e' cost of Okehampton to Tavistock £450m for a modest scheme. There are other costs, including upgrading Crediton to Okehampton for regular use which will have to be found if that proposed reinstatement of regular services actually happens. And also the bit between Bere Alston and Tavistock which seems to grind forwards ever so slowly!

I still reckon that figure was thought up by somebody who didn't want the job to be done, using the usual mathematical procedure of writing the BCR^▸ (Benefit Cost Ratio) figure you want to arrive at on the back of a fag packet, then working backwards.

[trainbuff]

The Peninsular Rail Task Force commissioned a report and the findings of January 2016 are here:-

https://peninsularailtaskforce.files.wordpress.com/2016/05/work-stream-summary-consultation-draft-v1-5-5-16-clean-copy.pdf

Pages 23 -26. e' cost of Okehampton to Tavistock £450m for a modest scheme. There are other costs, including upgrading Crediton to Okehampton for regular use which will have to be found if that proposed reinstatement of regular services actually happens. And also the bit between Bere Alston and Tavistock which seems to grind forwards ever so slowly!

I still reckon that figure was thought up by somebody who didn't want the job to be done, using the usual mathematical procedure of writing the BCR^▸ (Benefit Cost Ratio) figure you wat to arrive at on the back of a fag packet, then working backwards.

If you look at this study by Greengauge21 done in June 2016 you could be forgiven for thinking the two reports were about entirely different railways! Link here:

http://www.greengauge21.net/blog/rural-reconnections-the-social-benefits-of-rail-reopening-exeter-okehampton-tavistock-plymouth-a-case-study/

[Umberleigh]

Good news within for reopening Okehampton:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/778858/investing-in-the-sw.pdf

[TonyK]

Good news within for reopening Okehampton:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/778858/investing-in-the-sw.pdf

Certainly looks like it, but you can never be sure until at least 3 Transport Secretaries have said it.

[ellendune]

Good news within for reopening Okehampton:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/778858/investing-in-the-sw.pdf

Certainly looks like it, but you can never be sure until at least 3 Transport Secretaries have said it.

What it says is:

We also want to bring back regular Exeter to Okehampton train services to further boost connectivity in the area and we recognise local aspirations for an Okehampton to Plymouth rail link.

That does not look anything like a commitment to me!

[Red Squirrel]

A bit of a cracker, 'Investing in the South-West' - glossy, woolly, fluffy, and re-announcing a number of schemes that have already been completed...

[Timmer]

A bit of a cracker, 'Investing in the South-West' - glossy, woolly, fluffy, and re-announcing a number of schemes that have already been completed...

A typical Dft publication then.

[ellendune]

A typical Dft publication then.

Correction:

A typical Dft government publication then!

Though to be fair it did announce funding for Dawlish.  Though it troubles me that no one is saying that this is only about 10% of the sea wall at Dawlish and it does not include the bit that had to be repaired in 2014! surely the rest of that section must be every bit at risk!

[bradshaw]

I think the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) Spotlight programme last night mentioned the need to do the cliff section.
The publication produced by the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) seems more like a defence against those South west MPs^▸ (Member of Parliament) who have been articulating about the imbalance in investment compared to other regions. The adding of schemes from Gloucester and Bournemouth/Poole help make up the numbers.
What is not included is a strategic view of long term investment plan for the south western counties.

[TonyK]

That does not look anything like a commitment to me!

More like Spike Milligan's "I've remembered Harry Secombe in my will. No money, just "I remember 23-stone Harry Secombe"".

[Umberleigh]

So whilst it seems there are positive discussions still ongoing as regards a regular service on the Okehampton line, sadly the Tavistock initiative has ground to a halt:

https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/reopening-bere-alston-tavistock-railway-3311504

The authorities are now claiming that costs have risen by over £20,000,000 in just over two years and that it will now cost £93,000,000 to relay a single track over an existing double-track mainline formation of less than 10 miles and to build a simple halt at Tavistock.

Meanwhile, the L&BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) railway are rebuilding 4.5 miles of narrow gauge railway closed since 1935 (and rebuilding virtually every bridge) for about £5,500,000 (costs much the same as they were two years ago).

Leaving aside the fact that the developers reengaged on their promise of funding the project, the cynic in me feels its the age old trick of 'inflate the costs until they say it can't be done' at play, as successfully employed with the Braunton proposal.

[TonyK]

I wish they had reengaged on their promise, something might have happened. Maybe the council can now renege on the planning permission?

[smokey]

I reckon with all the fine engineers out there who love (well like railways) a bunch of volunteers could rebuild the whole Okehampton to Bere Alston line with double track, to the highest of standard for about £50million and that's around 45 miles of Track.

[Umberleigh]

The Dartmoor Railway is for sale:

https://www.walkersingleton.co.uk/machinery-business-asset/railway-operator-rolling-stock-rental-and-rail-maintenance-company/

The Dartmoor Railway Association say they are in the dark about this

[grahame]

The Dartmoor Railway is for sale:

https://www.walkersingleton.co.uk/machinery-business-asset/railway-operator-rolling-stock-rental-and-rail-maintenance-company/

The Dartmoor Railway Association say they are in the dark about this

Indeed.   As a line with two potential futures - as a heritage line and as a re-opened part of the national network, this sale comes under two boards on the forum.    See http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=8218.30 - that particular post (in the "Heritage Line" area) links to the OkeRail aspirations of in running as part of the national network, and concerns that selling it as a working heritage railway to a heritage rail / tourism business organisation might get in the way of its wider use.