REF Jane Honey's report of December 28: from an ancient railway passenger who can recall the glory days of the Southern Railway.
If Meldon Viaduct were sturdy enough to sustain the weight of a train, and if Sustrans had not developed the trackbed as far as Lydford for a cycle track; and if the train could start from Lydford avoiding Brentor Station, now a private residence; and if West Devon Borough Council had no objection to a train running through their domain; and if Bannawell Street viaduct were in good condition, then the railway might be re-instated — to general acclaim.
Seriously , it could just be possible to use a bus link between Okehampton and Tavistock on those rare occasions when the sea disrupts the Dawlish line.
If memory serves, trains were the only form of public transport prior to 1961, other than the weekly market bus.
Pre-war, there were four railway companies, each one responsible for their own track maintenance. Railways were only nationalised as a wartime measure. Why did we get 25 companies plus Railtrack? This is my 'desk-top' study. What will the South West Regional Assembly say in theirs?
Anne Crampton
St James Street
Okehampton