THE train arriving at Gunnislake's platform one last Friday carried the Railways Minister David Jamieson, whose visit to the Tamar Valley marked a £600,000 investment programme which could pave the way for reinstating the railway between Bere Alston and Tavistock.
The MP travelled on the 9.42am from Plymouth to Gunnislake to view the station's new seats, station signage and the refurbishment of the platform shelter and fencing.
He then moved on to Calstock station which has seen the biggest transformation in the last year with an attractive new waiting shelter, new station car park, new pedestrian access and further general improvments.
Mr Jamieson said: 'The new service will be of huge benefit to local people in the Tamar Valley and surrounding area. As a Transport Minister, I know how essential good transport links are to the development of our communities and I am extremely proud to be involved in the opening of such an important new service.'
Cornwall County Councillor Godfrey Smale described the line as 'vital to the lifeblood of our community'.
He said: 'The improvements to the stations and rail services will help to secure a better quality of life for us all.'
All four rural stations on the Tamar Valley line — Bere Ferrers, Bere Alston, Calstock and Gunnislake — have seen major improvements, thanks to a £276,000 partnership led by Cornwall County Council and including Devon County Council, other local bodies, the Strategic Rail Authority, Countryside Agency, Regional Challenge, Railtrack and Wessex Trains.
At the end of September a separate £300,000 injection saw the restoration of all year round Sunday train services after a 40-year break.
The Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership admitted it had aspirations for the future, not only for the Tamar Valley Line but other rural branch lines.
Devon County Council executive member for Transport, Cllr David Morrish, said: 'I very much welcome this investment in the Tamar Valley Line.
'The Bere Peninsula relies on the railway to a great extent and both the station improvements and the restoration of all year round Sunday services after so many years are real bonuses for residents.
'I hope that this investment will help pave the way for yet further improvements to come, not least reinstating the railway between Bere Alston and Tavistock.'