CONSERVATIVE MP for Central Devon Mel Stride has contributed to a Crediton charity’s railway history project by recalling his involvement in reopening the Dartmoor Line.

The Folklore Library and Archive, based at Crediton Library, is currently collecting memories, photos and video footage for its Devon Railway Heritage project, for which it was given a £25,000 grant last year by Great Western Railway.

The project focuses particularly on the Dartmoor Line between Exeter and Okehampton via Crediton. The line was axed in 1972 and was the first to be reinstated under the Restoring Your Railway scheme in 2021.

Mr Stride campaigned for its reopening alongside OkeRail and other local activists for more than a decade.

He said: “When the government announced its £500 million Restoring Your Railway fund in 2020 as part of the Levelling Up initiative, I was determined to ensure that Central Devon benefited.

“The opening of the new Okehampton Interchange station in spring 2026 will maximise the benefits of reinstating the line – which has already seen 775,000 journeys made since its reopening.”

Devon Railway Heritage Project Manager Tracey Norman added: “The Folklore Library and Archive's Devon Railway Heritage project aims to capture as many voices as possible, each providing insight into working on, and interacting with, the railway.

“We are delighted that the funding we received from Great Western Railway is enabling us to speak with people like Mel, in order to preserve memories and experiences which have combined into a unique and fascinating archive.”

If you would like to contribute to the project by loaning media or offering stories, email [email protected] before the end of February.

The Folklore Library and Archive will be launching the project’s findings in Crediton on March 22 as part of the Railway200 celebrations.