IT'S FULL steam ahead at Okehampton Station following the arrival of a major new attraction.

After months of waiting, Dartmoor Railway has finally got a steam engine for the Dartmoor Pony service from Okehampton to Meldon and, subject to commissioning tests, it could be up and running by Sunday.

Commercial manager of Dartmoor Railway Ian Rudd said it had always been the intention to run the Dartmoor Pony by steam power and he hoped it would be a really big attraction.

'This is a very exciting development for us and the engine is going to make the trip to Meldon all the more atmospheric,' he said. 'The engine is on hire from the South Yorkshire Railway and has had a complete overhaul at RMS Locotec's works in West Yorkshire.

'The nearest steam-powered attraction is either Bodmin or South Devon so I think it will be a real draw.'