Chapelton - Least Used Station in Devon

It's time to finally tick off Devon! Whilst down in Exeter to see the new Marsh Barton station, it made sense to take a trip up the Tarka Line to Chapelton and properly spend time there to see what's there - if anything? Oh and Rob came along as my guest too ...
The ORR Estimates of Station Usage are here: dataportal.orr.gov.uk/statist...

Пікірлер: 324

  • @neilbain8736
    @neilbain8736 Жыл бұрын

    Getting invited into the station house was one of the nicest spontaneous to happen. The enthusiasm really swept you off your feet.

  • @SOOKIE42069
    @SOOKIE42069 Жыл бұрын

    geoff's expression of pure joy when he opened the ticket window was heartwarming af

  • @stevelknievel4183
    @stevelknievel4183 Жыл бұрын

    I wasn't the person who bought a season ticket from Chapelton but I really wish I was.

  • @paultidd9332
    @paultidd9332 Жыл бұрын

    I have to say this is a brilliant video for just the spontaneity - all very amusing! Perhaps there could be a new series breaking out of visiting old/ex-station houses now occupied. Meet the owners, tour, what original features exist, etc.

  • @mouselovinlady

    @mouselovinlady

    Жыл бұрын

    I quite like the added mystery of the disembodied voices of the owners!

  • @FadeOutLetters
    @FadeOutLetters Жыл бұрын

    As a Devonian, been waiting a long time for this one. Good on Mr and Mrs Lewis for representing the county so well!

  • @tajulislam1522
    @tajulislam1522 Жыл бұрын

    Yaay, Least Used Station still going strong 💪🏽. I think I say this for everyone here, but please don't let this series come to an end!

  • @fussyboy2000

    @fussyboy2000

    Жыл бұрын

    Everybody needs to go to Chapleton so it's no longer the least used in Devon and Geoff has to go somewhere else.

  • @jameswalker3611
    @jameswalker3611 Жыл бұрын

    Technically Chapleton is my local station! I love using the Tarka Line. Thanks for uploading Geoff.

  • @turboguy99

    @turboguy99

    Жыл бұрын

    Too bumpy

  • @OneKnifeYeHand

    @OneKnifeYeHand

    11 ай бұрын

    So you are the 0.38 passenger per day using the station? ;-)

  • @Yournotsinginganymore
    @Yournotsinginganymore Жыл бұрын

    Finally a new, least used station! Great work Geoff :)

  • @alcaulique8358
    @alcaulique8358 Жыл бұрын

    As someone watching from outside the UK, thank you for quickly including a global map. Very useful too understand where we are...

  • @oeman7363

    @oeman7363

    10 ай бұрын

    I think the same when watching videos from mainland Europe, a good tip is to search the county and it'll give you the region of UK

  • @AndyGabrielPowell
    @AndyGabrielPowell Жыл бұрын

    Hi Geoff, Barnstaple was my local station for decades, and later, Umberleigh, when I moved to the nearby village of Atherington. My earliest recollection of travelling on the line was behind a Class 33 (!), but Class 50's were also seen occasionally. Loco working ceased due to weak bridges between Portsmouth Arms and Barnstaple. The Pacers were fun on the old short section flat rail, that used to exist between Portsmouth Arms and Umberleigh, but they were not as much fun as the swaying of the old Class 108 DMU's. BTW, the line is renown for its nearby pubs. (Check out Newton St Cyres, and Umberleigh for example.) One factoid - Portsmouth Arms - although named after the pub; the pub was actually named after the Earl of Portsmouth who, being very Pro-Rail, supported the building of the line but insisted on having a station at Eggesford as it was close to his home at the time. (Today, the house is a ruin). I look forward to a touch of memory lane when you revisit the line.

  • @WCMLtrainspotter
    @WCMLtrainspotter Жыл бұрын

    Nice to see a least used station again! 2:09 Btw, the 158s are Express Sprinters, the 156s are Super Sprinters

  • @richallen3369
    @richallen3369 Жыл бұрын

    Love a bit of Least used Station! 👍🏻

  • @zawtowers
    @zawtowers Жыл бұрын

    The main road close by is the A377, which runs from Exeter to Barnstaple, so pretty much follows the railway line in parts also, as does the River Taw (which then turns left at Barnstaple and meets the River Torridge estuary north of Appledore and west of Instow. Notably also (as I was in Devon last week) Barnstaple has several buses marked as "rail link" services from the railway station - such as the 301 to Coombe Martin and 310 to Lynton/Lynmouth, to fill the gap where there are no trains. Really enjoyed this one, nice to see the Tarka line with plenty of its heritage signage, and the inside of the station house was a welcome bonus - full credit to the owners for allowing you access.

  • @abigailjames7989
    @abigailjames7989 Жыл бұрын

    You were talked about in New Zealand! I'm at a conference of boys' schools and was chatting to a friend from the UK, asking about her son. It seems he is preparing to do the underground challenge! I mentioned you and she said that, Oh, yes, her son had talked about you - the original holder of the record. See, you are all over the world! And I took the train from Auckland to Wellington - 10 hours, but beautiful views.

  • @CameronJP

    @CameronJP

    Жыл бұрын

    I watch Geoff and I live in Florida.

  • @tamara3984

    @tamara3984

    Жыл бұрын

    Is it a sleeper?

  • @bikerpaul68

    @bikerpaul68

    Жыл бұрын

    @@tamara3984 Auckland to Wellington is a daytime train, the Northern Explorer. @FromtheWindowSeat has made a KZread video about it.

  • @OneKnifeYeHand

    @OneKnifeYeHand

    11 ай бұрын

    @@CameronJP Same, except I live in the Netherlands. Granted, not that far away, but still.

  • @farmerstephen
    @farmerstephen Жыл бұрын

    Nice station and great to see Geoff so happy.

  • @Luluxxxx
    @Luluxxxx Жыл бұрын

    Absolutely love your enthusiasm for everything, Geoff 5:47 😂 Life really can be one long adventure !!! I think most of us no doubt need more adventure in our lives …

  • @MegaGraafschap
    @MegaGraafschap Жыл бұрын

    This was really enjoyable to watch, what a fantastic house!

  • @fuzzynutter8344
    @fuzzynutter8344 Жыл бұрын

    Great video, I wondered when we'd see the next Least Used Station. And a big thumbs up to the residents of the old station house for allowing you in to have a peruse, they were brilliant!

  • @rickyzuc
    @rickyzuc Жыл бұрын

    This possibly my favourite least used station episode!

  • @radders261
    @radders261 Жыл бұрын

    Has to be the best least used station video yet!

  • @symy92
    @symy92 Жыл бұрын

    Loved this video! That was Geoff's dream house. The flowers and garden were beautiful. It should win an award. Prettiest Least Used Station Award??? Loved the broom and how truly blown away Geoff was by this station. Genuine enthusiasm.

  • @anniesoernym
    @anniesoernym Жыл бұрын

    That was just what I needed on a Monday evening, thank you Geoff! Love the Least Used Stations series! And Rob is back! 🎉

  • @chriskrebill1842
    @chriskrebill1842 Жыл бұрын

    You find some awesome guests! And you're both so tall! Saw Rob having to crane his neck in the train!

  • @ianmilne655
    @ianmilne655 Жыл бұрын

    When I drove that line we used to get one regular passenger, I think he owned the house.

  • @DynamiteBobby
    @DynamiteBobby Жыл бұрын

    More Devon content please, Geoff!

  • @thisisjmx
    @thisisjmx Жыл бұрын

    This video was an absolute joy. Thank you

  • @CymruEmergencyResponder
    @CymruEmergencyResponder Жыл бұрын

    This is what I love about the rural railways, the people you meet on your travels. So lovely of them to invite you in.

  • @squidgytop.2050
    @squidgytop.2050 Жыл бұрын

    I glad that You have continued the series hopefully you stations. I find these series fascinating. Keep up the good work excited to see more videos like this geoff well done

  • @billtycoon3289
    @billtycoon3289 Жыл бұрын

    Great to see Chapleton, one of my favourite in Devon. Just a side note to say that Copplestone is no longer a request stop as of May 2022.

  • @johnscarsandstuff
    @johnscarsandstuff Жыл бұрын

    That was lovely. I've missed the "Least used stations" music. Getting a tour of the old station house was adorable. I love your enthusiasm. The Barnstaple line is so pretty, it's probably worthy of its own series.

  • @MrGreatplum
    @MrGreatplum Жыл бұрын

    What a great video - I miss Devon. So nice of the station house owners letting you look around. I wonder who tends the platform flowers - it looks lovely!

  • @RH-uo8wl
    @RH-uo8wl Жыл бұрын

    When I did Chapelton late one evening back in 2011, the homeowner called out to me, concerned I might have got off at the wrong station. I wonder if it was Mr. Lewis back then? I only had a 30 minute wait before a 143 took me back to the bright lights.

  • @markstramtrainbuscapades1729
    @markstramtrainbuscapades1729 Жыл бұрын

    Rode a 158 down the Barnstaple line on e evening in 2021, and it was enchanting, the ideal unit for the line. Two day later, I rode one all the way from St Erth-Dawlish Warren, after a day in St Ives, and on that three hour all stop crawmwl through Cornwall, the legs did get stiff (padding was more comfortable than on the 802 we'd come down on, though!) Still, at Dawlish Warren, we were only three minutes walk from the flat where we were staying!

  • @christopherbutler7588
    @christopherbutler7588 Жыл бұрын

    I would love to live in a old railway Station. Great video thanks.😊

  • @shaunhenryengineering
    @shaunhenryengineering Жыл бұрын

    I love the sheer enthusiasm and joy for exploring 😂

  • @VascoRoblox-yp5rw
    @VascoRoblox-yp5rw Жыл бұрын

    My favourite Least Used Station! Well done Geoff!

  • @ps.montreal5551
    @ps.montreal5551 Жыл бұрын

    Beautifully kept station. Very interesting video. Thanks.

  • @Sim0nTrains
    @Sim0nTrains Жыл бұрын

    Making a clean sweep of the least used station in Devon! 😂 Really felt a action pack least used and a great video and really enjoyed the excitement of seeing a broom! Epic! :D

  • @davidhamm7909
    @davidhamm7909 Жыл бұрын

    I live in Devon and have only done the Tarka Line once.. It’s a great line. I must get back to it. I also did the Okehampton line once a few years ago when it was Sunday only.

  • @praiserdusty
    @praiserdusty Жыл бұрын

    The best least used station video. I always wonder what the station houses look like.

  • @michaelmiller641
    @michaelmiller641 Жыл бұрын

    What a wonderful video! Thanks Geoff, up to your usual standards, if not exceeding them!

  • @xbx.trains2192
    @xbx.trains2192 Жыл бұрын

    Least used station is such a good series! Seeing these small stations which (some of which not all) have a lot of charm

  • @strikeyz
    @strikeyz Жыл бұрын

    IT'S BACK!!

  • @gordonfullerton5672
    @gordonfullerton56728 ай бұрын

    This is the content we've come here for Mr Marshall. That was excellent, a visit would be fun👍😄😄

  • @LKBRICKS1993
    @LKBRICKS1993 Жыл бұрын

    Excellent video Geoff & Rob. The broom bade me laugh.

  • @tardismole
    @tardismole Жыл бұрын

    That is amazing. Shout out to the best couple in Devon, for sharing their home with 313k people on youtube.

  • @jamesfoz
    @jamesfoz Жыл бұрын

    I’ve missed the least used music! Love Chapelton, looks like my dream house!

  • @nickcollins7568
    @nickcollins7568 Жыл бұрын

    Geoff making a clean sweep of the least used stations

  • @stephensaines7100

    @stephensaines7100

    Жыл бұрын

    Nothing to bristle at!

  • @RichardWatt

    @RichardWatt

    11 ай бұрын

    Geoff and Rob showed us how to handle it.

  • @evah1928
    @evah1928 Жыл бұрын

    This video sure does me miss Devon (where I used to live!)…I can confirm everyone there is like that ;)

  • @rubberduck3y6
    @rubberduck3y6 Жыл бұрын

    More Geoff and Rob adventures please!!

  • @DavidJones-kn9zb
    @DavidJones-kn9zb Жыл бұрын

    Brilliant vlog Geoff. Have been waiting for this program for a while. It is certainly one of your best least used station vlogs.

  • @braedonblake5535
    @braedonblake5535 Жыл бұрын

    Yes another least used station video it has been ages. Thank you for this surprise video

  • @robbiemorrison7085
    @robbiemorrison7085 Жыл бұрын

    I did the hop out then hop back at Coombe Jct hlt in Cornwall in 2020, after the lockdown at Easter. But the guard was pretty chill about it as they had to put the token in so we could go down to Looe.

  • @BritishBeachcomber
    @BritishBeachcomber Жыл бұрын

    Lympstone Commando station on the Avocet Line (Exeter to Exmouth) serves the training centre. In the early years trains only stopped there about 3 times a year. It now operates as a request stop.

  • @tigermatt

    @tigermatt

    Жыл бұрын

    Although does it still remain a challenge to actually leave the station, with the gates often locked and keys in the gatehouse?

  • @dazzlingdaz187
    @dazzlingdaz187 Жыл бұрын

    Yes, I've been waiting for this one for ages. My nearest LUS. Might have to go on Sunday!

  • @Veptis
    @Veptis27 күн бұрын

    The least used station jingle stays in my head. It sometimes comes up. It feels positive.

  • @hyperverbal
    @hyperverbal Жыл бұрын

    I listened to a Blinkist and it really put in perspective why I like people like Geoff and people like him so much, KZreadrs are my celebrity rather than a cinema or just as equal. ❤ I see them differently with compassion and fond love for their movement through time.

  • @hermionebenson8366
    @hermionebenson836610 ай бұрын

    Another lovely video. That house and the gardens are just wild. Also, I have to say this: the music for this series is like dopamine. It always makes me so happy. :)

  • @krozjr5009
    @krozjr5009 Жыл бұрын

    Tried doing the Tarka Line in a day last year. It’s doable on the summer timetable but my day was scuppered by an “unexploded bomb” At Crediton. Once the trains were back up and running I decided to take a gander up the line as most of the request stops were still doable. I can THOROUGHLY recommend the three-and-a-half mile hike along a riverside and along country roads from Umberleigh to Chapelton. Probably the highlight of my day. Beautiful and remote spot. I really want to try the Tarka Line again, partially as an excuse to do Chapelton again! Could we perhaps get a better Summer Saturday service next year too GWR?

  • @davidbassett4577
    @davidbassett4577 Жыл бұрын

    A clean sweep for best Least Station Video & for friendliest locals!

  • @MartinCook-kg1vn
    @MartinCook-kg1vn Жыл бұрын

    Shout out for Eggesford: where the tokens are exchanged. Splendid cafe with outside seating next to the platform. I stayed in a hotel where the line goes through ( above) the garden

  • @barrydevonshire9749
    @barrydevonshire9749 Жыл бұрын

    I love the broomcam . Long may it continue 😊😊

  • @travellingjourneys7840
    @travellingjourneys7840 Жыл бұрын

    I think this is one of the best episodes ever. :)

  • @jakob2283
    @jakob228311 ай бұрын

    I can say I’ve watched this channel long enough to hear this song again.

  • @BritishAdam
    @BritishAdam Жыл бұрын

    Great to see the least used stations back, i wonder how many have changed since last videos in x counties!

  • @Saint_Dan132
    @Saint_Dan1328 ай бұрын

    This made my year what a find. ❤

  • @jonathanscripps917
    @jonathanscripps917 Жыл бұрын

    Made a good day even better Geoff and Rob, and, you got a consecutive pair of sprinters 958 & 959 for a nice bit of synchronicity 🤓

  • @xanpagebrown
    @xanpagebrown Жыл бұрын

    I’ve been waiting for this one for a long time!

  • @terry6131
    @terry6131 Жыл бұрын

    My local station, I live up the road that was seen at the top of the lane on the opposite side. Up until a few years back, (to the right of the access lane) used to be location for the Chapelton vintage steam rally

  • @paulteelen4285
    @paulteelen4285 Жыл бұрын

    What a romantic thing, little stations where the train only stops a few times a day and only on call. The Dutch railways are too efficient, all of this is gone. Every station has to have a minimum amount of passengers a day and a minimum amount of trains an hour. So all very small stations disappeared. What we call a least used station is a central station on a line such as in Devon 😉. Cherish what you’ve still got….

  • @lennertvdwerf
    @lennertvdwerf Жыл бұрын

    This video is a sweeping succes

  • @djappnew
    @djappnew Жыл бұрын

    Noticed the Station sign on the used open platform still says First Great Western as opposed the GWR branding. Great video guys!

  • @PamelaBane
    @PamelaBane Жыл бұрын

    I will look forward to you to-ing and fro-ing along the request stops on this line. hank you for another least used station video

  • @a_haytcha
    @a_haytcha Жыл бұрын

    Love his videos

  • @stephenlarking2247
    @stephenlarking2247 Жыл бұрын

    If that house ever comes up for sale I’m buying it!

  • @alanreader4815
    @alanreader4815 Жыл бұрын

    looks loveky thanks for this

  • @fredtracy1673
    @fredtracy1673 Жыл бұрын

    I've been waiting for this, Devon is where my family emigrated from to Canada. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇨🇦

  • @alexdavis5766
    @alexdavis5766 Жыл бұрын

    We looked at a house near this station, I impressed the estate agent with my least used station knowledge and could have been on the few adding to the statistics for this station. Also looked at one near the Somerset least used station too. Very sad we didn’t get that house 😢

  • @duragamer132
    @duragamer132 Жыл бұрын

    Thinking about the single train to Axminster, SWR should do trains down the Tarka and to Okehampton as it's on the L&SWRs old line

  • @jamescorr9383
    @jamescorr9383 Жыл бұрын

    Another great video thanks

  • @marthaanderson2656
    @marthaanderson2656 Жыл бұрын

    seems like a long time since we have heard this music . What a unique station. I wonder how many people WILL show up this weekend

  • @rosiefay7283
    @rosiefay7283 Жыл бұрын

    British rail stations named after pubs. Portsmouth Arms. Berney Arms (no matter that the pub's closed, the station was named after it and that's good enough for me). Bat & Ball (same deal). Craven Arms, sort of (station named after town named after hotel). Angel (Tube). Any more?

  • @arabianrailfan7762

    @arabianrailfan7762

    Жыл бұрын

    Elephant and Castle (tube)

  • @tantive4

    @tantive4

    Жыл бұрын

    Bat and Ball, Bay Horse, Blue Anchor And that’s just the Bs!

  • @MannyAntipov

    @MannyAntipov

    Жыл бұрын

    New Cross Gate was renamed that after the local pub.

  • @bentilbury2002

    @bentilbury2002

    Жыл бұрын

    The Engine in Baldock. Amazing coincidence that they built a station right next to it. 😉

  • @Eric_Hunt194

    @Eric_Hunt194

    Жыл бұрын

    Nelson in Lancashire. The settlement was originally called Marsden, when the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway opened the station they called it Nelson after a nearby pub because they already had a Marsden station in West Yorkshire. Over the years, the town took on the name of the station as it grew.

  • @timwillett7802
    @timwillett7802 Жыл бұрын

    Love Rob! 🥰

  • @samstrainthings7540
    @samstrainthings7540 Жыл бұрын

    I really wanted to be there its local but I missed it 😰 Who wants to see geoff get a gold play button soon?

  • @capturedlondon
    @capturedlondon Жыл бұрын

    Lovely stuff

  • @TwmUkLive
    @TwmUkLive11 ай бұрын

    What a lovely station house, so glad the current owners have kept it in that condition even with a serving window

  • @lawrencemorriss9018
    @lawrencemorriss9018 Жыл бұрын

    I spent the last year travelling infrequently from Newton St Cyres, you can pretty much tell if it's a 150 then it's an Okehampton train and a 158 it's a Barnstaple service, but thanks for answering the riddle of what happens to that Axeminster train, I see it everyday on my train home and couldn't see what happened to it in the timetable after that as there's no (GWR) return from Axeminster to Exeter

  • @railotaku

    @railotaku

    11 ай бұрын

    I understand it spends an hour in the loop at Chard. It mostly operates to keep crews current on the diversion via Yeovil but gives an extra peak departure from Exeter

  • @PokhrajRoy.
    @PokhrajRoy. Жыл бұрын

    Nice to see some Devon Discourse. Also, happy to see another Least Used Station video. #WhenInDevon

  • @mrcogginsgarage7062
    @mrcogginsgarage7062 Жыл бұрын

    What's the betting that Geoff lifted the end of the platform up and swept the dirt underneath!😉

  • @raphaelnikolaus0486
    @raphaelnikolaus0486 Жыл бұрын

    Amazing! (Esp. the station house.)

  • @jamesperrin3255
    @jamesperrin3255 Жыл бұрын

    I live in south Devon (been to chapelton many times lol) and the sawmill has made loads of gates around my area and it has their logo on it

  • @philipbrailey
    @philipbrailey Жыл бұрын

    Great video Geoff 🇦🇺

  • @hectorthorverton4920
    @hectorthorverton4920 Жыл бұрын

    Only a few years ago the Devon Least Used Station was Newton St. Cyres, probably because very few trains stopped there. The arrival of the Okehampton service more than trebled the service, allowing the baton to be handed to Chapelton. New series on Stations With Nice Gardens? Perhaps not an immediate priority, but both these stations figure.

  • @johnlladron735
    @johnlladron735 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for another great video, interesting stuff. Devon is a great county as well. Pity about the 158, noisy whining would drive me round the bend. The curse of coach-mounter motors. It was quieter in the vestibule!

  • @geertmarien9076
    @geertmarien9076 Жыл бұрын

    Awesome! Thanks!

  • @Shuttlefield
    @Shuttlefield Жыл бұрын

    I have to say Geoff I have used this station whilst holidaying locally - in the 1980's1 - train in to Exeter and then returned to Umberleigh

  • @v88krb
    @v88krb11 ай бұрын

    Geoff, wow. In 1989 I was moved to Barnstaple with my work and we had the opportunity to buy Chapelton Station House which, at that time, was a failed timeshare comprising the house and an apartment facing the garden. We chose not to buy mainly because our children were 8 and 12 and we could foresee we’d be a taxi service into town many times a day in the months and years ahead. It is really strange that the current owners are the Lewis family who moved us when we left Barnstaple in 1997! Happy days!

  • @oldfart6318
    @oldfart631811 ай бұрын

    Terrific.

  • @robinbebbington7004
    @robinbebbington7004 Жыл бұрын

    Nice video btw mate 👍

  • @roberttfoley
    @roberttfoley Жыл бұрын

    Hearing Geoff call his guest “Robert Thomas” feels exactly like my mother calling me by my first and middle names