STEAM was given a rousing welcome back to Okehampton for the first time in three years last Sunday, marking the start of ambitious new plans for the growth of Dartmoor Railway. The Darfield No. 1, a 1953 steam locomotive, puffed into the station at around 1pm on Sunday. After a ceremony to mark its arrival, passengers boarded for a journey to Meldon Viaduct. Railway bosses say the return of steam to the station will be a major boost to Okehampton and will attract many more passengers. The railway has begun operating its summer programme, which will feature the new steam service. The engine will run every Sunday over the summer period and more frequently during the school holidays. Stephen Sears, chief executive of the ECT Group, which works in partnership with Dartmoor Railway, and provided the cash injection needed to bring steam back to the town, said: ?The people here today aren?t all railway buffs, but everyone loves a steam train. It is just such a wonderful sight to behold. ?Steam will be a permanent feature of our summer service. It is very important in any business to give people what they want and railway visitors want steam. It is a key part of making the Dartmoor Railway project viable.? The company has the locomotive on lease for the next two summers, but also has its own steam engine, for which it needs to raise around £125,000 to repair it to working order. Mr Sears also revealed Dartmoor Railway was in talks with Network Rail about linking with Yeoford Station and the branch line to Barnstaple. He said the company also hoped the increased revenue from steam would help towards the long-term aspiration to run a daily commuter service to Exeter. He added: ?When I first came here two or three years ago, I was amazed by what an achievement it had been to turn what had been a derelict line into a community facility.? The locomotive was originally built by the Hunslet Engine Co Ltd of Leeds in October 1953, for the north eastern division of the National Coal Board. During its working life, it shunted 16-ton coal trucks around the Darfield main colliery, near Barnsley. Mayor of West Devon Cllr Peter Hill said tourism was very important in the borough and he was sure the attraction of steam would prove a hit with visitors. He told guests standing on the platform: ?Tell your friends about this trip, so they too will come and enjoy the Devon scenery.? Mayor of Okehampton Cllr Frances Luxton said there was some concern among town businesses about people travelling by train to Exeter to do their shopping, but she hoped it would be a two-way process. ?I am hoping the people in Exeter will realise the assets and the beauty of Okehampton and the surrounding area,? she said. ?I am hoping not only will the town be able to go to Exeter, but also that those in Exeter can come and enjoy what we have to offer.? A number of railway enthusiasts were at the station to mark the welcome return of steam to Okehampton. Visitors also browsed the stalls of the craft fayre which was held on the station platform. Passengers travelling to and from Exeter on the Sunday Rover service which runs until September, will be able to transfer to the steam train at Okehampton which will take them through the picturesque countryside to Meldon and back.
