The service has been going for three weeks now. On the whole things have been going well. Patronage is encouraging and stories of people’s travels have been shared on social media with pictures.

However this Sunday there was a couple of problems. I actually traveled to Barnstaple, catching the 11.27 from Okehampton. The service was pretty full, with many people standing. However there were no complaints, just excitement as people traveled to Exeter to have some fun or do some shopping. I got off the service at Crediton to head up to North Devon.

When I got on the return service from Barnstaple, I noticed there were a few comments about a cancellation of an Okehampton service from Exeter Central. When the train manager came to check my ticket, he told me the connecting service I was supposed to get from Crediton, had also been cancelled. This was due to a shortage of drivers due to sickness. He told me to stay on the train and go to Exeter. I then reported to the Station Manager’ Office, who provided a taxi for me to get home. There was no fuss or bother, just needed to show a valid ticket.

It turns out there were a lot of cancellations on Sunday, however GWR did everything to help customers get to their final destination.

If you are in the unfortunate position of having a service cancelled on the Dartmoor line, this is what you should do.

If you’re in Exeter, do what I did and report to the station manager. If a service isn’t available within an hour, they will organise alternative transport.

If you’re at either Okehampton or Crediton waiting to travel and the service is cancelled, use the information point. Explain to the customer service person where you are, giving numbers of passengers who are waiting. They will then be able to pass the information to the team who will sort alternative transport.

Although this is likely to be rare, it is useful to know what you should do if it happens to you.