Lynton & Barnstaple Railway 10th Anniversary: Looking To The Past & Future

New Annoucement on the L&B web site:

Share Issue

The Lynton & Barnstaple Railway Trust is in the process of forming the L&B Blackmoor Company Plc with an intention for it to issue shares, and to acquire and run the Old Station House Inn pub, restaurant and surrounding property. The Inn was formerly Blackmoor Station.

Please visit the L&B web site to learn more (and register your interest).

 

Could I ask how the three locos are splitting the workload this summer?

 

Isaac has been out for a month undergoing its annual boiler inspection and minor repairs, but should be back available for service in the next week or so. Axe has been running most trains in the meantime. Charles Wytock operates the service on occasional days when a bigger engine is needed or Axe is on footplate experience duty - perhaps a dozen times since early May- but its annual boiler inspection is due shortly so may be unavailable for a short while once Isaac is cleared for service again.

 

I went on Sunday with the kids.

Its gorgeous!!

 

It sure is!

 

Should you be interested another News update from Exmoor Associates detailing recent work undertaken at the Snapper Halt and Collard Bridge sites has been published today.

See >>> http://www.exmoor-associates.co.uk/2015/07/work-progress-at-snapper-halt-july-2015/

Chris

 

Chris, has EA thought of one day installing a panel or two of unwanted rail and adding perhaps a cosmetically restored wagon, as a means of advertising the railway and attracting passers-by? Perhaps, though, this wouldn't be seen from the road at Snapper?

 

Not a bad idea, better yet why not go a step further and make a real occasion out of it, by relaying a good stretch of track at the Snapper Halt site and run a loco and coach or two for a few days as a one off event? I know realistically it would be a tad expensive and time consuming a affair for little reward, not to mention the notable issue of access and parking, though it would be quite a advertising move. Perhaps something that could be considered in the future when the railway is moving to extend in that direction?

 

Apart from the planning permission point just raised by Saggin Dragon, any one off running of a loco would have to be by the LBR not by Exmoor Associates, I feel, due to the past (now thankfully put to rest) slight tensions between them leading to a declaration a year or so ago that EA would not be running any trains in possible competition with the LBR.

 

When the Puffing Billy Railway (Australia) were building their extension they took a Peckett 0-4-0ST and a coach by low loader every month or so to the site of the new terminus, where they had laid about 1/4 mile of track. This was to publicise the new development and also raise funds

 

Yes, the EA Chairman did mention at the L&B South East Area Group's Meeting in May that some EA shareholders had suggested laying a small number of track panels alongside the platform at Snapper Halt for publicity purposes. However I'm not aware at this time of any proposals for taking the idea forward. You are correct in saying the track wouldn't be seen from the road, at least from passing vehicles.

On the subject of laying track panels, a short length of track was recently put down in the siding at Chelfham. It really serves to enhance the railway atmosphere at that station.


Chris

 

Exmoor Associates only has one remit which is to procure trackbed between Barnstaple and Wistlandpound Reservoir of the former Lynton & Barnstaple Railway that closed in 1935. The company is NOT in the business of train operation.

Chris

 

There is a reasonable stretch of owned land at Snapper, could even go for a 7 1/4" line!

From what I can gather the trackbed is owned to just beyond Paracombe Lane, then there is a huge stretch that isn't owned up to bridge 60, where the land is then back in L&B/EA ownership up until just before bridge 57, where it's in private hands again until Blackmoor, then beyond that it is in ownership all the way up to bridge 53. Is that right?

 

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?usp=sharing&mid=zLXVAJyaIdqw.ksYDRlgOiEAk
This maps shows exactly which bits belong to LB Trust and which to EA.

 

Exactly what Meirion G said, of course.
So, maybe a static wagon or two would be best, if tall enough to be visible from the road?

 

Is that Google map upto date? I thourght that part of the trackbed came with the purchase of Rowley Moor Farm?

 

Yea, me too, that's why I queried it

 

The map is correct and forms part of the Property Page of the Exmoor Associates website, but it should be noted that the map still has to be completed. In consequence the map uses the designations adopted by EA, hence the trackbed across Rowley Moor Farm that you query is shown as the 'Higher Bodley Trackbed'.

Chris