The 1932 station buildings restored and now in use as a model shop and tourist attraction as seen from the forecourt on 29th July 2000

photograph by Colin Duff

Okehampton Station at 750 ft on the north western edge of Dartmoor is perched high above the town it serves, though the town did spread up the hill towards it. It was opened on 3rd October 1871 when the line from Sampford Courtenay was extended. Services ran further west from 12th October 1874 when the line to Lydford over the Meldon Viaduct opened. The line through the station is flat but there is a 1 in 77 climb in the westerly direction both into and out of the station. Acknowledging its exposed position the down platform was built with a glazed windshield underneath its canopy and the footbridge, which was to a familiar LSWR covered design, was fully glazed.

The station came with a goods yard on its down side and an engine shed and turntable on its up side. The original wooden engine shed burned down and was replaced by a concrete block built shed in 1920. The 50ft turntable adjacent to the shed was replaced by a 70ft turntable closer the station in October 1947 when a coaling stage was also introduced. The up side buildings were completely rebuilt in the prevailing Southern Railway brick style in 1932.

From 1961 there was a short lived summer Saturday (plus Fridays and Sundays in June and July 1961) car carrying service between Surbiton and Okehampton - this being in the days before the A30 and A303 were improved and in particular the traffic jams around the Exeter ring road on Summer Saturdays were legendary. This train departed Surbiton at 8:00am arriving at Okehampton around lunchtime and departed there back to Surbiton at 3:55pm. This enterprising service was superseded by concentrating Motorail services from Kensington Olympia and the west of England Motorail service then used the WR's Berks and Hants route.

The status of the line through the station as a main line can probably be stated to have ended when the Plymouth portion of the Atlantic Coast Express ceased on 16th June 1963, although through coaches to and from Waterloo were attached to other trains for a short time. The through train between Brighton and Plymouth ran until 4th March 1967. The line between Okehampton, Tavistock and Bere Alston closed on 6th May 1968 but passenger services on the line between Yeoford and Okehampton lasted until 5th June 1972. Goods traffic ceased in 1979 but several sidings were initially retained.

However the line through the station has remained open because Meldon Quarry is still active and best served by rail. Over the years it has been the destination for many an enthusiasts rail tour. Both the quarry and the line remained initially in British Rail hands but they are now owned and operated by Aggregates Industries. The station and its precincts have become rejuvenated thanks to the vision and drive of the late Roy Gibbs who reopened the station as a model shop and tourist attraction complete with buffet. The goods shed is now a Youth Hostel.

In recent years under local authority sponsorship summer and special rail services have recommenced between Exeter St Davids and Okehampton . There is also a seasonal tourist Dartmoor Pony service between Okehampton and Meldon Quarry operated by RMS Locotech with their shunter 08937 and Southern region green coach stock consisting of former class 411 driving motor open second car 61743 (well away from the third rail!) and Mk1 courier van 80225.

The replica running-in board on the up platform.

photograph by Colin Duff

The current down side (left) and up side (right) buildings as seen on not such a fine day on 3rd August 1997.

photograph by Chris Osment

A closer shot of the splendidly restored up side buildings and canopy in July 2000. The Dartmoor Pony service to Meldon Quarry is in the platform.

photograph by Colin Duff

The station on 3rd August 1997 suffering the sort of weather its high and exposed position makes it prone to. The LSWR footbridge is no longer glazed.

photograph by Chris Osment

A closer view of the down side of the footbridge in July 2000.

photograph by Colin Duff

The signal box and the western end of the up platform looks like it is a platform mounted box.....

photograph by Colin Duff

.....but when viewed from the station forecourt it can be seen it is not. The ground slopes away sharply from the station down a long but pleasant road lined with Victorian/Edwardian houses towards the town centre.

photograph by Colin Duff

A relic in what is now the visitors' car park - the stop block of the rear track to the 1947 coaling stage.

photograph by Colin Duff

The Dartmoor Pony service in the up platform on 29th July 2000. The sight of Southern green coaches is always welcome but the former EMU vehicle is well off its former beaten tracks.

photograph by Colin Duff

The former goods shed, seen here in the setting sun of 17th February 2001, is now a Youth Hostel.

photograph by Colin Duff

On 17th February 2001 Hertfordshire Railtours "Dartmoor Warbler" excursion is captured arriving back at Okehampton after a trip to Meldon Quarry for the loco to run round. The Dartmoor Pony service is in the former down - now bay - platform on the left.

photograph by Mike Dunse