Lynton and Barnstaple - Operations and Development

"Whadda catastrophe!"

 

Either that or somebody has very quietly built another Manning Wardle new-build, with a name like Lee, Leg, Lev or Liv...

 

A further report of the work completed at Bridges 54 and 55 is now available on the L&BR website.


This picture depicts the bearing beams in place ready for concrete at Bridge No.54.
Picture © John Barton.

See >>> https://www.lynton-rail.co.uk/page/phase-iia-construction-news

 

Something a little different, now.
This may fall under the category of"Women's fiction", but the author is the sister of the L&B's own Nigel Thompson.
Set ostensibly in Dorset, on "England's most beautiful railway" there can be very little doubt of this railways actual location.
Set in dual timelines, both over the railways closure in 1935, and it's resurrection during the present day, the plot draws together to two threads separated by 80 years into a resolution. Definitely one for the shop at Woody Bay, and online sales:



Review here:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44158248-the-stationmaster-s-daughter

 

Could someone please remind us where this bridge is and what goes over what. In the present stage of the reconstruction there is clearly no path, road or track of any sort above or below.

 

Well I didn't have to look very far back upthread to find the following link which will hopefully answer your questions.
https://www.lynton-rail.co.uk/page/phase-iia-construction-news

 

.... or even (annotated interactive map):
https://www.lynton-rail.co.uk/page/route-mapped

 

... or even https://www.lynton-rail.co.uk/files...rkingWeekendNov.2017PeteSnashall/image000.jpg

 

It's between Blackmoor and Wistlandpound

 

Carriage 5 makes its first trip! See https://www.lynton-rail.co.uk/story/work-progress-5th-september-0

 

This week’s Progress Report is available on the L&B website detailing the latest work undertaken at Bridges 54 & 55.....



This picture from the L&B website shows Bridge 54 being inspected for construction quality on Thursday 5th September.
Picture © John Barton.

See >>> https://www.lynton-rail.co.uk/page/phase-iia-construction-news for the full report.

 

Great to see such visible progress! Well done to all involved.

 

It's excellent - but I'm still unclear how soon this would actually see some track? I thought I understood that there were still substantial sections of the trackbed between Killington Lane and these bridges that remained in the hands of outright opponents to the L&B?

 

Track is the very last consideration. In theory, it could be laid as soon as the bridges are completed, and the trackbed fully rehabilitated, but it would serve no purpose, except sit unused and slowly deteriorating, until the TWAO plus all other hurdles have been crossed, and construction is finally completed throughout from Killington to Wistlandpound.
So, I guess the short answer is several years yet.
Nonetheless, it makes a lovely sight!

 

If I remember correctly work was started on these bridges as they had been granted permission to do so some years ago, but there was a time limit on it and so they had to start work before it expired. And just succeeded in doing so too.

 

Fair enough, I guess what I was asking is (i) how much land needs to be acquired for the trackbed to be complete to these two bridges; (ii) is there a real chance of doing so without seeking CP powers via a TWAO; (iii) if not, what is the timetable for the TWAO?

 

1)- between Killington and Wistlandpound, the trust owns approx. 60% of the trackbed.
2)- almost certainly not.
3)- how long is a piece of string?
That's the nature of it, presently.
Patience, grasshopper!

 

Glad to know how the current status of certain matters stand right now.

60% is pretty good I'd say in terms of how much is owned of the trackbed, although I suppose it's another matter entirely of how willing the owners of the remaining 40% are willing to sell.

It's a pity really the project has to seek CP powers, as it is the extreme to go to a certain extent, but in the end most likely can't be helped. Certainly when dealing with certain individual that view the railway as nothing more then something unsightly disneyland-like attraction... despite the fact the railway was built and operated through the landscape for years before most of them were even born most likely...

I'd imagine it would take a while to get the TWAO, especially if CP powers are needed with it. One can only hope the railway can succeed in acquiring it in the end, though I'd like to think support for the railway's growth is greater then against it. But then of course there's the no small matter of raising the money needed to build the railway, not to mention all the facilities and such alike needed to support such an expansion.

In fact a part of me hates to think it, but I do wonder if maybe starting the project to build a new pair of Manning Wardles this year might have been a little premature...

Of course I know they won't be built in quick time exactly, but at times the obstacles this railway is faced with before beginning the long dreamed day of reconstruction, seems so hard to foresee happening in the foreseeable future...

I hope I'm wrong of course, as I love this line and really wish to see it break out so to speak and show it's great potential. Reach Wistlandpound and operate for while and I do fully believe it won't take anywhere near as long to then extend Lynton, or indeed Barnstaple, although admittedly with the latter it's most likely bound to take longer considering the longer distance there is to cover between Wistlandpound and Barnstaple.

I can foresee reaching Lynton in one go when such a times comes would be relatively straightforward and most logical a plan to do.

The sheer distance going to Barnstaple I reckon would ideally need to happen in stages. How many stages and where each one would go as far along the route to Barnstaple, I do not know.

 

Thanks, helpful - I'm looking forward to being able to contribute shortly, and just wondered where things sat.

 

The L&BR owns the entire trackbed north of Bridge 53 up to the boundary with the Old Station House Inn at Blackmoor Gate. This trackbed has suffered damage in several places over the years due to erosion, farming and/or grazing animals and must be repaired, as well as being fenced on both sides along its entire length.

The above work requires time and money to complete. If you are not already member of the L&BR Trust, please consider enrolling. You can easily join online on the L&B website, where there is also a simple "donation" button awaiting your use.

Returning to the work front, discussions are in hand to obtain agreement with the landowner to allow the railway access south from Bridge 53 up to the proposed site of the new station at Wistlandpound. At Blackmoor the purchase of shares in the new company setup to purchase the Old Station House Inn has been reopened.

Anyone interested can view the documents at: https://www.lynton-rail.co.uk/page/blackmoor-station-purchase