Lynton and Barnstaple - Operations and Development

Thanks for clarifying this. I am sure that the programme has generated a lot of interest in the restoration of the line. I wonder whether this will be translated into increased membership of the Trust and more visiting next year when hopefully there will be an easing of COVID restrictions.

 

Despite things being rather quiet on the news front from the Trust, it looks like activity at Chelfham has been anything but glacial. The restored signal cabin looking really smart, with its knee frame in place, and SR fencing beginning to appear along the back of the up platform.
Recreation of the original Gents toilet is well under way, as is the manufacture of the Evans O'Donnell signalling.
All in all, its the loving attention to finite detail which really stands out, here.
I just hope I live long enough to be able to stand on that platform one warm summers day, listening to the birds singing across the Stoke Rivers valley, while waiting for the first gentle murmurations of the train coming down from Bratton:

https://www.lynton-rail.org.uk/story/chelfham-station-november-2020

 

It is great to see the progress at Chelfham and I too hope to see trains running over the viaduct.......but will it be a flock of Manning Wardles coming down from Bratton?

 

A murmuration of Mannings?.. yes, I like it!

 

Without wishing to appear to be too pedantic (!), such a train will in due course be coming up from Bratton!
Mike

 

Is this the convention of Up - to London, as our opposed geographic Down to the lower point?

 

Yes, and that is what the original was.

 

Yes, I was thinking of it from the physical, rather than operational aspect.

 

An understandable thought!
Mike

 

Superb work at Chelfham, but I do wonder why the L&B chose to add that horrible chimney on the end gable. Surely there must have been a less intrusive alternative?

Keith

 

Probably something to do with 'Building Regulations'? IIRC, if it is a new build, flues may be built in. If it is an addition to the building, then it is easier to go outside. Modern rules 'encourage' flues to terminate a metre above the ridge. Were there fireplaces in the original building, or just stoves?

 

Excellent program . Sad to see the sorry state of the Ruston, (Brunel), at Lynton station, i have fond memories of driving it on the Creekmoor Light Railway on the outskirts of Poole, Dorset in the early 1970's. If any of you remember, or were part of the Creekmoor/Crockway crew i would love to hear from you and chat about old times !

 

I have sent you a PM about the CLR

 

Not the L&B; the flue was added as part of the "improvements" carried out by The Southern Railway. I agree it's a little ugly, but it is at least accurate.

 

Are there any photos of the station in that condition please? The only ones I've seen of the station while the railway was operating do not show anything on that gable.

Thanks

Keith

 

I found these two photos that show a tall flue. However, unless I am getting turned round, it appears now to be on the other end of the building now than it is in these photos!

Current
https://www.lynton-rail.org.uk/story/chelfham-station-november-2020

Historic
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Chelfham-Railway-Station-Photo-Lynton-Barnstaple-Railway-2-/263072794511
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Chelfham-Railway-Station-Photo-Lynton-Barnstaple-Railway-3-/254590331615

(The small side gable is on the opposite side to the track; and the post box is visible in all photos. In the historic photos, the tall flue is on the end opposite the post box; in the modern photo it is on the same end).

Tom

 

I can't find any at the moment, but there is a drawing in Stephen Phillips' book (page 154) showing the flue in SR times. It was originally on the opposite gable end, warming the ticket office rather than the waiting room. It may be a little taller now, but the location is the same. I'm guessing it was removed when the fireplace was built post-closure.

 

Thanks Tom - those are some of the photos that I was looking at and that's why I wasn't sure about it being in it's current position.

I still think it mars the chocolate box appearance of the building!

Keith

 

I think those two photos pre-date the SR alterations anyway, so might not be a valid comparison.

 

The drawing of the Chelfham Station building on page 156 of "L&BR Measured and Drawn" book shows two stove chimneys, one at each end. An arrow on the drawing refers readers to the stove chimney at the south end to "Note 3", while in a similar manner readers are referred to "Note 4" regarding the chimney at the north end.

Note 3 states: Stove chimney added at south end during SR period.
Note 4 states: Stove chimney originally fitted at north end.

The drawing shows the chimney to be very similar to the chimney which currently exists at the south end.