This month marks 150 years since the railway first came to Okehampton. The town was late to welcome public train services: rail links to Barnstaple and Exeter had opened 17 and 27 years earlier, respectively. However, the locals were enthusiastic about the new service when it did finally arrive. The first train was met by a large crowd, the mayor of Okehampton and three bands. An official civic reception followed, hosted in a marquee erected in a field in the town. Guests included the mayors of Exeter, Plymouth and Launceston, as well as the directors of the Devon and Cornwall Railway and the South Western Railway. The following day a huge public dinner, for 600 people, was held in Fore Street, which was closed for the occasion. Many businesses decorated their store fronts to mark the event and celebratory banners were hung across the street.
Initially, six trains a day ran between Okehampton and Yeoford Junction only, where passengers changed trains to travel on to Exeter. However, by 1874 the line had extended to Lydford, and then on to Plymouth two years later. By 1890, the single line had doubled and the independent route between Lydford and Plymouth, via Tavistock and the Tamar Valley, had opened. The entire line was closed in 1972, in the now infamous Beeching closures, although the portion between Meldon and Exeter remained open for goods trains. Saturday November 20th 2021 sees the long-awaited re-opening of Okehampton Station and re-introduction of daily all-year-round services to Exeter, after an absence of nearly 50 years. While the line has been used in recent years for Sunday services during the summer months and Santa’s Specials in the run-up to Christmas, a regular passenger service will make travel to Exeter and all points beyond much easier. This is the first line to be re-opened under the Department of Transport’s ‘Restoring Your Railway’ initiative and there are hopes that the re-opening of the Tavistock–Plymouth line will follow.
Celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary include a display of artwork in the businesses in Fore Street, along with the installation of a Triumphal Arch and celebratory banners across the street. Charter Hall will host a display of historical railway photographs, as well as a Victorian tea party, where period costume is definitely encouraged, on Saturday 2nd October. This event will include a humorous play recalling the House of Commons debate making the case for and against establishing a train service to Okehampton. A video presentation of local schoolchildren reading specially written poetry will also take place. The town’s Museum of Dartmoor Life will be hosting an exhibition called ‘When the Train Came to Town’, which will include photographs from the past 150 years, relevant pieces from the museum’s own collection and those of the Station Museum and private collectors, as well as the voices of the last steam engine driver and last station master. Music from the era will be performed by Wren Music.
On Sunday 3rd October, attention will turn to Okehampton Station, with plans to re-enact the events surrounding the arrival of the first train. The Okehampton Excelsior Band will start proceedings outside the Town Hall in Fore Street. After a proclamation ceremony, there will be a processional walk up to the station where the ‘Station Master’ will receive a ceremonial golden key, symbolising the opening of the railway line to Exeter.
