THE first summer season train from Okehampton to Exeter saw more than 90 passengers on board, justifying a decision by rail bosses to put two coaches on the service this year.

Due to the popularity of last year’s Sunday train service, Great Western Railway decided to add an extra coach and, with a packed train leaving Okehampton on Sunday morning, the decision proved to be a practical one.

Okehampton Mayor Cllr Jan Goffey said: ‘The amount of passengers on Sunday fully justified Great Western Railway’s decision to put two coaches onto this popular service.  

‘With a few hundred passengers coming into Okehampton on a Sunday, they need to see that Okehampton is a lovely place to visit with welcoming shops, cafes and places to visit.’

The Summer Trains from Okehampton to Exeter, previously called the Sunday Rover, are run by Great Western Railway in partnership with Oke Rail and Devon County Council.

Devon County Councillor Kevin Ball said: ‘Oke Rail and the local community are working hard to re-establish daily train services from Okehampton, and the annual support from Devon County Council for the Sunday Dartmoor service demonstrates the commitment within Devon to increase the frequency of this important service.’