AMONG the travellers on the new Sunday train from Okehampton on its first day of operation were two people from Shebbear, who were off to Milan!

Intrepid rail travellers Chris and Sarah were among passengers going to places including Exeter, Exmouth, Teignmouth and Totnes, on the first train of the day at 0955.

The total journey by train to Milan is just over 970 miles taking about 18 hours. The mayor of Okehampton, Cllr Jan Goffey, is pictured with Chris and Sarah and Cllrs Janet Carpenter who went to Exmouth and Dr Michael Ireland, chair of OkeRail CIC, who, like the mayor, enjoyed several hours in Teignmouth!

Dr Ireland said: “The first day of operation of the new ‘Sunday train’ from Okehampton showed the real potential of this service for those living in West Devon and North Cornwall.”

On the second departure of the day at 1212 from Okehampton to Exeter, Bude resident Mrs Lesley Moores boarded en route to Spain.

Coming into Okehampton each train had between 50 and 90 passengers, many with bikes to ride the Granite Way. Others came for a day out to explore Okehampton. Inbound passengers included ‘regulars’ like Maureen Hunt from Gillingham, Dorset who came with her dog for walks in the Okement valleys.

Cllr Goffey said: “With a few hundred passengers coming into Okehampton on a Sunday, they need to see that Okehampton is a lovely place to visit with welcoming shops, cafes and places to visit!”

Dr Ireland added: “The first Summer season train from Okehampton to Exeter saw over 90 passengers on board, fully justifying the GWR decision to put two coaches onto this popular service and supply new information leaflets with timetables especially written for this new service.”