A DIRECT train link between Okehampton and London could result from plans to revolutionise rail services in the South West.
Staff at Dartmoor Railway, the company behind local train services, said this week it was what 'everybody had been waiting for'.
South West Trains, which is part of transport giant Stagecoach, has submitted a bid for the proposed Wessex rail franchise and offered to take over the branch lines in Devon and Cornwall run by Wales and West.
Under the new proposals which have gone before the Strategic Rail Authority, the Government body in charge of rail franchising, South West Trains would return most of the Waterloo-Exeter line to double track hence doubling the current service and provide a direct link to the capital from Barnstaple.
There are also assurances that regional services can be maintained following the dismantling of the Wales and West franchise next year and it may be possible to run direct from London to Okehampton, Falmouth, Newquay and Bristol.
Okehampton Station is currently used for passenger services to Exeter on Sundays throughout the summer and the Dartmoor Pony shuttle service to Meldon which links with the National Cycle Route.
David Payne, general manager of Dartmoor Railway, which helped bring train services back to Okehampton in 1997 after a break of 30 years, said the company had not been approached yet by South West Trains but were excited about the rumours.
'It is what everybody has been waiting for,' he said. 'A direct link to London and Europe.
'We would very much welcome this — it would enhance and strengthen our business and be very very good for the town.'
Mr Payne said he did not have a clue when and how often the trains would run but Dartmoor Railway would look at any proposals with interest.
'It would put Okehampton on the map and strengthen the future of the branch line,' he said.
The signalling at the station has just been changed so two trains can be held in the station at once.
'Passengers would be able to come to Okehampton from London or Paris for that matter, change over to the Dartmoor Pony, go off walking for the day and then go back to Waterloo,' he said.
The general manager added that for a small company like Dartmoor Railway, it would have great difficulty in providing a service to London.
'For a firm like South West Trains this is no problem at all,' he said.
The Dartmoor Pony, which was launched earlier this year has received very positive feedback, but Mr Payne said he would like to double the number of passengers currently using the service.
'The train is a hit with walkers, rail enthusiasts and cyclists but we can also cater for disabled passengers,' he said.
'We would like to get the average number of people using the train up from 80 a day.'
He said it was very early days for the railway at Okehampton — a lot of money had been spent on it and it was now beginning to take off.
Jazz music will be a special feature on the Dartmoor Pony afternoon service on September 2.
For train times telephone 01837 55667.