One line in the South West proposed for reopening is the former freight-only branch to Heathfield, which last saw traffic in 2015. A pair of Class 56s, led by No. 56078, approach the timber stack at Teign Bridge prior to going to run round at Heathfield in March 2015.
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VERY light rail train technology could be the key to a redundant Devon railway line reopening. Rolling stock company Eversholt Rail is actively considering a currently disused railway line connected to, but segregated from, the national rail network at Newton Abbot main line railway station.
Reopening the line could provide 30-minute frequency rail passenger services between Newton Abbot and Heathfield, and serve a potential new station for Kingsteignton situated near Teignbridge level crossing, where considerable housing development has occurred in recent years.
The Heath Rail Link Group (HRLG) has welcomed the news, which follows an approach by Eversholt. The railway leasing and technology company is developing new forms of light rail transit (LRT) stock to provide diesel-electric hybrid powertrain type vehicles ideal for short branch lines.
Michael Cooke, chairman of HRLG, said: “We have been working with Teignbridge District Council and GWR, and we also have the support of Anne Marie-Morris, our local MP. We submitted a bid to the first round of the DfT’s Restoring Your Railway Fund but it was unsuccessful. Nevertheless we are still pursuing the RYR process.”