Today was the day the Dartmoor line officially part of the rail network. It was signed off at about 9.30 this morning. It was also the day it was officially opened in advance of the first passenger service on Saturday.

Guests were greeted at the station by GWR staff and were given refreshments while they waited for the special guests to arrive on the train coming from Exeter.

Guests were entertained by the local singing group The Hummingbirds.

Special guests were bought in by train from Exeter.

The event then had speeches by Mark Hopwood, the Managing Director of GWR, Cllr Andrea Davies the transport portfolio holder at Devon County Council and Rt Hon Grant Shapps Secretary of State for Transport.

The guests were then given a short ride on the train to Bow and back again.

In all it was a fantastic day.

I did some interviews with guests, and will do a couple of posts over the next day or so.

More Images.

Local and National Press Interview Passengers on the VIP Train

Rt Hon Grant Shapps Talking to the Press

Rail TV Presenter Tim Dunn Interviews Stuart of Network Rail

Becky Bettesworth the Artist Who Designed the Promotional Material

One of the Newly Designed 118 Buses Now Stopping at Okehampton Station

Next Stop Tavistock?

Tom and Sue Baxter of Dartmoor Railway Association Being Interviewed

Becky Bettesworth's Wonderful Design on the Class 150 at Okehampton Station

Local Lad Tom Watts Wonderful Logo

It's REALLY Happening!