After a superhuman effort by Network Rail, their « orange army » and First Great Western, the railway through Dawlish re-opened today, two months on from the devastation of February’s storms.
During the line’s closure, Citizens’ Rail has worked to rejuvenate the previously dormant Friends of Dawlish Station volunteer group. Working alongside TV gardener Toby Buckland, the volunteers have given the station a green makeover, decked out the station with bunting for its re-opening, and become media stars in the process. In the past week alone the group have been front page news in the local press, been featured on BBC regional TV news, been interviewed on BBC Radio 4 and filmed by Channel 5.
If you would like to get involved in the group (or would like to volunteer elsewhere along the Riviera Line), contact the Citizens’ Rail Riviera Line Officer Celia Minoughan on 01752 584777, email celia@citizensrail.org or visit our Devon page.