Welcome news today from Shiona Rolfe, MD @CrossCountryUK referring to agreement to lease a further eight 5-car “Voyager” trains: "The first train will be used to increase the number of seats each day between Edinburgh and Plymouth from early 2027."

Northern Devon Railway Development Alliance today welcomes West Devon Borough Council as fourth district council member, joining Mid-Devon, Torridge and North Devon councils among c.50 other stakeholder organisations with a shared interest in modernisation of the North Devon Line

Have your say on Devolution in Devon @cmnplace devolutionindevon.commonplac…

As GWR introduced a temporary timetable for Penzance-Plymouth/Exeter services affected by unreliability of the Class 175 trains, Railfuture director Roger Blake was interviewed by both BBC Radio Cornwall railfuture.org.uk/display442… and BBC Radio Devon railfuture.org.uk/display442…

Today marks 80 years since West Country loco 21C119 was named 'Bideford' and 5 years since this exhibition opened. Mayor Ratcliff said that what he really wanted for the town was the return of its railway, not just memorabilia! That and the Dartmoor Line have been inspirational.

New Devon station - public opening Saturday 1st August. Okehampton Interchange, Dartmoor Line.

#OnThisDay in 1926, the first Atlantic Coast Express service ran.

"Exeter MP backs campaign for faster, more reliable rail link to North Devon" Letters of support from MPs at each end of the North Devon Line, plus videos from Network Rail and GWR and presentations to Exeter workshop, all at 9th July: railfuture.org.uk/Bideford-a… And media coverage.

News from across @Railfuture on the railfuture.org.uk/Railfuture… page, with quite a few covering Devon and Cornwall. In photo, @RailfutureDC is presenting the Northern Devon Railway Development Alliance with a cheque for £10,000 from its Fighting Fund, which uses money from legacies.

North Devon rail campaigners push for funding as Tarka Line records passenger surge "Campaign group Railfuture has already committed £10,000 from its Fighting Fund" northdevongazette.co.uk/comm… (Photo from @Railfuture. Feel free to use with credit.)

Railfuture £10,000 boost to North Devon railway campaign | Exmouth Journal See: exmouthjournal.co.uk/news/26… (Photo from @railfuture. Feel free to re-use, with credit.)

On this date, 15 years ago, the most recent train from Barnstaple station arrived at (the former) Bideford station. Follow Railfuture | Bideford and Barnstaple to Exeter diary

On this date, in 1855, the railway first reached Bideford (image of first train approaching original Cross Parks station). Only 110 years later, scheduled passenger services were withdrawn. Their return is being championed now by the Northern Devon Railway Development Alliance.

Sunday 17th August: Gala Day at Bideford Railway Heritage Centre bidefordrailway.co.uk/ - cab rides 11am-3pm - and the Railfuture-instigated Northern Devon Railway Development Alliance will have a campaign stall there. Chat with us then, see more here: railfuture.org.uk/Bideford-a…

Fun Friday a week ago. Holding sign right side: North Devon MP Ian Roome + Mayor of Barnstaple Janet Coates, left side Martin Pailthorpe of event host Friends of King's Nympton Station. Sign generously contributed by @DCRailPart County, district, town, parish Councillors present.

Railway 200 event: railway200.co.uk/activity/an…

New 15-year Local Transport Plan welcomed by rail alliance. Regional branch Chair: "This is a vital point of reference for all those campaigning for sustainable transport improvements." Alliance Convener: "This completes the twin building blocks of regional transport planning."