I'm hoping that both the Dartmoor and Teign Valley Lines could reopen one day in the future in between Exeter and Plymouth. The alternatives routes would be away from the sea, so that might be a possibility to electrify the railways in Somerset, Devon and Cornwall for electric trains.
Reinstatement of that railway would be fantastic! It may be slow, but it would serve many small villages and I suspect it would be very scenic and very busy in the high summer season. Where the A38 has been built on the trackbed just take it on to a new alignment.
I imagine that the reopened line would not be the slow branchline of yesteryear but rather would be built to 21st specifications strictly as a Dawlish relief line with no intermediate stations reopening
Sadly unlikely the line would ever be rebuilt to its former glory... on the upside negotiations to open the Newton-Heathfield/southern portion as a heritage line are ongoing...
@@bobcornford3637 Using the 'Southern' means cutting off all of the substantial settlements between Exeter and Plymouth whereas if you use the Teign Valley it will only be Teignmouth (and Dawlish itself) being cut off in the event of further damage along the coast
Tavistock certainly but if you're talking about a Dawlish relief line, the Teign Valley remains the cheapest option being half the price of reinstating the Dartmoor route and a fraction of the cost of a completely new line further south
You still don't get it! It was decided a long time ago that all obstacles possible would be put in place to prevent any reconstruction of the railways. These people and organisations are still in place...?
I think as a country we need to be abit more mature about things, and fully acknowledge that Climate change is going to have a profound impact on our country in future decades. Instead we just keep burying our heads in the sand, and are essentially 'in denial' about long term changes to weather patterns in the UK. With this in mind, we have to stop relying on the existing rail route from Exeter to Plymouth as the sole route. It's clear that the section of line particularly around the Dawlish area is going to see more frequent heavy winter storms in future. There WILL be a repeat of 2014 sooner rather than later. This is clearly not good enough. We have to stop being so 'reactive' and NIMBY-like, and start being alot more 'proactive'. Starting with the conversion of the Teign Valley line into a fully functioning line on the rail network, carrying passenger trains. We also need to start planning for the re-opening of the 'Okehampton-Tavistock-Bere Alston' line aswell.....instead of just endlessly talking about it but getting nowhere. Despite Covid temporarily putting a stop to many rail journeys, rail usage is going to keep on growing for a very long time yet. It's imperative that both the Teign Valley line and the Okehampton-Tavistock line re-open to meet this new demand. It needs the government to support it, even if alot of the financing would be raised privately. Future UK governments have to start being more 'pro rail' in general, and not just 'pro HS2', otherwise as a country, we'll end up getting left behind. The future is opening up more old rail lines again, it's not building brand new motorways, or widening existing ones to be four or five lanes each side. We're a European country, not America-lite. We must never forget this.
Agreed on all points Rob apart from reopening Okehampton - Tavistock which would be a needless expense once (if) the Teign Valley was up and running however reconnecting Bude would make complete sense as well as filling a big gap in the rail network
They ship timber from time to time. What! Timber!?! Aren't there like only 12 trees left in Sherwood forest or something? I thought all trees were protected in England.
@@neilgallacher4793 ah that would make sense. Behind my dad's house is a forest the size of England (I am from Western Québec) you can have as many trees as you like, :)
So, they wheel out Lord Berkeley (many know the rhyming slang) a "rail expert" his first sentence includes "so i'm told". Some expert ! As much use as tits on a bull, unless you are anti route and you want a tame dancing peer in the House of Lords. The Dawlish route was not part of IK Brunel's plan, just a cheap option as finances were running tight.
@@icdgyixifyinstereo This 'new line' as well as being hideously expensive (both to build and maintain) is unlikely to be built as it would mean the end of the coastal route (considered one of the worlds top rail journeys and a tourist attraction in itself)
@@icdgyixifyinstereo Which is why we need a backup (which won't cost the earth) The most logical choice being a new construction mainly following the course of the former Teign Valley line
I'm hoping that both the Dartmoor and Teign Valley Lines could reopen one day in the future in between Exeter and Plymouth. The alternatives routes would be away from the sea, so that might be a possibility to electrify the railways in Somerset, Devon and Cornwall for electric trains.
Re-open Perridge tunnel! I would like to see the line back.
Reinstatement of that railway would be fantastic! It may be slow, but it would serve many small villages and I suspect it would be very scenic and very busy in the high summer season. Where the A38 has been built on the trackbed just take it on to a new alignment.
I imagine that the reopened line would not be the slow branchline of yesteryear but rather would be built to 21st specifications strictly as a Dawlish relief line with no intermediate stations reopening
Sadly unlikely the line would ever be rebuilt to its former glory... on the upside negotiations to open the Newton-Heathfield/southern portion as a heritage line are ongoing...
I love these films of yours Neil. Brilliantly done. This is the second one I have watched. Loved the Dartmoor one.
Thanks! That’s lovely to know. I hugely enjoyed making them. And researching them, come to that.
The best Dawlish avoiding route.
Nooooo... Southern Railway!
@@bobcornford3637
Using the 'Southern' means cutting off all of the substantial settlements between Exeter and Plymouth whereas if you use the Teign Valley it will only be Teignmouth (and Dawlish itself) being cut off in the event of further damage along the coast
It will probably never happen. Okehampton to Tavistock will come before this does.
Tavistock certainly but if you're talking about a Dawlish relief line, the Teign Valley remains the cheapest option being half the price of reinstating the Dartmoor route and a fraction of the cost of a completely new line further south
You still don't get it! It was decided a long time ago that all obstacles possible would be put in place to prevent any reconstruction of the railways. These people and organisations are still in place...?
I think as a country we need to be abit more mature about things, and fully acknowledge that Climate change is going to have a profound impact on our country in future decades. Instead we just keep burying our heads in the sand, and are essentially 'in denial' about long term changes to weather patterns in the UK.
With this in mind, we have to stop relying on the existing rail route from Exeter to Plymouth as the sole route. It's clear that the section of line particularly around the Dawlish area is going to see more frequent heavy winter storms in future. There WILL be a repeat of 2014 sooner rather than later.
This is clearly not good enough. We have to stop being so 'reactive' and NIMBY-like, and start being alot more 'proactive'. Starting with the conversion of the Teign Valley line into a fully functioning line on the rail network, carrying passenger trains. We also need to start planning for the re-opening of the 'Okehampton-Tavistock-Bere Alston' line aswell.....instead of just endlessly talking about it but getting nowhere.
Despite Covid temporarily putting a stop to many rail journeys, rail usage is going to keep on growing for a very long time yet. It's imperative that both the Teign Valley line and the Okehampton-Tavistock line re-open to meet this new demand. It needs the government to support it, even if alot of the financing would be raised privately.
Future UK governments have to start being more 'pro rail' in general, and not just 'pro HS2', otherwise as a country, we'll end up getting left behind. The future is opening up more old rail lines again, it's not building brand new motorways, or widening existing ones to be four or five lanes each side. We're a European country, not America-lite. We must never forget this.
Rob Tyman,yes I agree with your assessment, but try convincing this Tory government!
Agreed on all points Rob apart from reopening Okehampton - Tavistock which would be a needless expense once (if) the Teign Valley was up and running
however reconnecting Bude would make complete sense as well as filling a big gap in the rail network
They ship timber from time to time. What! Timber!?! Aren't there like only 12 trees left in Sherwood forest or something? I thought all trees were protected in England.
Maybe they’re bringing it in from Finland
@@neilgallacher4793 ah that would make sense. Behind my dad's house is a forest the size of England (I am from Western Québec) you can have as many trees as you like, :)
Perridge tunnel 836yard beast! Spray concrete to re open it
Freight lines are the unacceptable part of privatisation. Ok I know BR had some which got passenger use when weekend repairs were happening.
Why are freight lines unacceptable and to whom?
So, they wheel out Lord Berkeley (many know the rhyming slang) a "rail expert" his first sentence includes "so i'm told". Some expert ! As much use as tits on a bull, unless you are anti route and you want a tame dancing peer in the House of Lords.
The Dawlish route was not part of IK Brunel's plan, just a cheap option as finances were running tight.
Im trying to think what rhymes with his name. All i can think of is fat bastard / bureurcrat but that doesn't rhyme.
This is a non story. The only viable solution is a new double track tunnel between Newton Abbot and Starcross.
Fun though! More seriously… Try this? Might be more to your way of thinking. czcams.com/video/RenfUngqzeY/video.html
@@neilgallacher4793 Exactly. They must have a tunnel boring machine free post crossrail.
@@icdgyixifyinstereo
This 'new line' as well as being hideously expensive (both to build and maintain) is unlikely to be built as it would mean the end of the coastal route (considered one of the worlds top rail journeys and a tourist attraction in itself)
@@stephenchappell7512 Yes - it famous for being destroyed by the sea, and isolating the Cornish peninsula.
@@icdgyixifyinstereo
Which is why we need a backup
(which won't cost the earth)
The most logical choice being a
new construction mainly following the
course of the former Teign Valley line
Pipe dream …..never going to happen 😂
Well… I wouldn’t hold your breath!