In 1860 the London South Western Railway opened its main line from Waterloo to Exeter Queen Street station. This led to proposals for a standard gauge North Devon and Okehampton railway. A Railway Act was passed on 17th of July 1862 for a line of fourteen miles long at a cost of £130,000. The first sod was finally cut on 31st March 1864 by Countess Portsmouth and the company was renamed the Devon and Cornwall Railway. The route required the construction of 9 over-bridges, 12 under-bridges and 1 viaduct at Fatherford.

Difficult terrain, failing money markets and striking navvies all meant it took four and a half years to complete the last four and a half miles of track to Okehampton. This resulted in the formal civic celebrations occurring five weeks before the passenger trains first ran

On Tuesday 29th August 1871 a special train travelled from Waterloo carrying railway directors and the Earl of Portsmouth. They arrived at Okehampton station at 3pm where large crowds had gathered, and three bands were playing. Mayor of the town John Downall gave a formal civic welcome, then it was off for a luncheon provided by Mr Ball, landlord of the White Hart Hotel. Escorted by the Band of the Volunteer Artillery they walked to a marquee, erected halfway between the station and town. A good meal was had by all as the speeches of thanks proclaimed and the mayor thanked the engineer Mr Galbraith and contractor Mr Relf for completing the line. That evening a celebration ball was held at the White Hart Hotel.