DARTMOOR Railway received a boost last week, when the regional manager of train operators First Great Western told local councillors of his backing for the railway's continuing development. Dartmoor Railway are in ongoing discussions with Network Rail about their long-term aim of linking up with the Yeoford interchange, which would open up the possibility of connecting with the branch line to Barnstaple. Speaking to West Devon Borough Council's overview and scrutiny committee meeting in Okehampton last week, Julian Crowe, general manager (West of England) for First Great Western, said the company 'fully supported' the idea of Dartmoor Railway connecting with Yeoford and he hoped this could be achieved by next summer. Mr Crowe said: 'I am convinced the scheme will happen, but it must be taken step by step. We fully support what Dartmoor Railway is doing.' Cllr David Weeks, ward member for Exbourne, told fellows members of the committee it was 'encouraging' to hear Mr Crowe talking so positively about the railway and the possibility of Dartmoor Railway running to Yeoford by summer 2008. 'The more cars we can get off the road, the better,' he said. Stuart Farmer, general manager of Dartmoor Railway, welcomed the endorsement. He said: 'Dartmoor Railway has a good working relationship with First Great Western. 'The company is very supportive of continuing to provide the rolling stock for the summer 2007 Dartmoor Rover, which I am pleased to say Devon County Council has recently committed to providing ongoing funding for.' Mr Farmer said the forthcoming visit of the famous Western Champion diesel locomotive to Okehampton would be a great asset for the railway and the town. The Class 52 Western diesel-hydraulic will be travelling to Okehampton station from Waterloo on Saturday, February 24, to mark the 30th anniversary of the last of its kind to regularly use Southern rails. Mr Farmer said: 'Visits like the Western Champion are really important to us, because it brings 250 to 300 people back into the town. 'We want to promote Okehampton as a railway destination and we are keen to work with Okehampton Town Council and other local authorities to make sure that is the principal focus of the railway.' Dartmoor Railway has organised buses to take passengers from the Western Champion into the town's shopping centre when the train arrives on the platform at Okehampton just after 1pm. Railway bosses expect it to be greeted by enthusiasts taking pictures of the locomotive and its carriages. Mr Farmer said Dartmoor Railway would be celebrating another significant anniversary in 2007. 'This year is the 10th anniversary of the reinstatement of passenger transport coming back to Okehampton with the Dartmoor Rover and we hope to hold celebration events in May,' he said. Western Champion, D1015 was in the final class of 74 built for British Railways between 1961 and 1964, and was recognised by many as being the ultimate in diesel-hydraulics.