Promoting the Industry

The Exeter & Teign Valley Railway is a small but ambitious organization dedicated to the promotion of railways as the nucleus of a regenerated, nationwide public transport system, intended to be part of a general movement towards less demanding development. The E. & T.V.R. furthers its ambitions by both practical and political means.

Its principal aim is to establish a complete public transport system for the East Dartmoor district, involving the reconstruction of the Teign Valley and Moretonhampstead branch railways, and the institution of radial bus and cartage services.

Preparatory to this, acting independently of any party or group, and, without exception, distinguishing itself from every other railway in Britain, the E. & T.V.R. campaigns tirelessly in an effort to alter public opinion, influence those in authority and undermine the enemies of rail transport.

To complement the work on the ground, the railway issues its own original book and pamphlets which expound the broad subject in a robust and forthright style.

 

A New Approach to Public Transport Provision

The present transport structure, and much that depends upon it, clearly is doomed. Scientists promising all kinds of fabulous fuels to perpetuate the modern motorized shambles merely serve vested interests fighting for their continued existence. The development of other transport rather than other fuels, which should be occupying the best brains, scarcely happens.

Conscientious, thinking people must know that clinging to grossly extravagant private transport is complete folly, but what escape is there from a system which has been promoted almost to the exclusion of any other and which inevitably has become predominant?

Unfortunately, one of the obstacles in the path of change is that people are filled with dread at the thought of exchanging all the perceived benefits of the motor-car for the alternative which is generally considered to be inferior. Yet there can be no doubt that, in future, whatever transport there is will be mostly public—or communal.

The challenge, then, is to make this attractive so that the eventual changeover is not viewed as regression, involving the loss of freedom and convenience, but rather is understood to be a great allround advance.

This will only be possible if an effort is made to redefine public transport. Today, it just mops up the leftovers and in many cases is only an embarrassment. To succeed, it must be developed into a comprehensive, expansive, mixed-mode, seamless organization that, as well as using renewable energy as far as possible, also reduces the need to travel and to move goods.

East Dartmoor is the ambitious brand name of the embryonic Exeter & Teign Valley Railway, intended to be a new model of public transport provider. In the railway’s unique view of the future, A Journey in Time, the company will be running two electrified branch lines, a total of 33 route miles, radial bus services covering 128 miles of road, and collection and delivery vehicles penetrating the depths of the countryside. The railway will own commercial and residential property adjoining stations and will provide or encourage a range of ancillary services, such as a accommodation and catering.

How will this happen? Read A Journey in Time to find out.

Available from all good book shops or direct from the railway.