Lynton and Barnstaple - Operations and Development

I'm not a fan of the rack Robin, or anything that imitates it. After an interesting visit to the Fell Museum at Featherston, I was left thinking: "Why did they devise that monstrosity instead of building a longer tunnel"?

 

Take the bet and find out - tasty either way!

Robin

 

Probably because a longer tunnel was beyond capabilities at the time, while trains of the period were neither especially heavy nor fast.
A glorious piece of engineering, and also of madness!

 

I'm sure we can also all agree that the L&B isn't yet too long!

 

I would go for a couple of loops a la Darjeeling Railway style.

 

Swiss Alps loops will be the best type.

 

do you mean something like this

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_(railway)#/media/File:RhB_ABe_4-4_III_Kreisviadukt_Brusio.jpg

or maybe more like this one

http://www.traintrips.biz/images/2016-tours/Switzerland-By-Rail-2016/switzerland_by_rail_2015_16.jpg

Of course what would be great is to have something like this

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=v...UIBygB&biw=1280&bih=667#imgrc=QObCmGTGaneNzM:

I just hope that all the links work

 

http://www.railwaywondersoftheworld.com/darjeeling-himalayan-railway.html

 

Surely one of the larger problems for many tourist attractions is car parking (an interview in the latest Railway Magazine highlights this as a constraint on expansion at Pickering) and in other threads people have suggested that the WSR may loose visitors due to parking problems at BL.

Whilst there is an historic attraction to running between centres of population these will be where car parking is likely to be difficult and costly for the visitor. By comparison running from a location where parking can be readily and cheaply provided into one or other centre may have the benefit of limiting the overall journey time and operating costs (at least until long term viability is established and money banked) and providing an element of park and ride attractive to both local residents and councils by cutting rather than adding to town centre congestion.

 

I agree. I also think PH has a point. I feel we need to stop and look at visitors from time to time and ask: "what's in this for them?" especially those with families. Surely the totality of the experience is what is being sold. On that basis, I think the L&B does a pretty good job.

 

The planning appeal decision on the Helston Ry should benefit our extension plans..

 

...which was?

 

See www.helstonrailway.co.uk and Railway Herald..

 

Ok, thanks

 

It seems the Inspector overruled local objectors in favour of the benefits to the local economy..

 

That is a useful precedent, perhaps!

The first of the two L&B NDC applications has been decided: http://planning.northdevon.gov.uk/decision.asp?AltRef=60676

One down, six to go...

 

WOW!

 

I'm one of the few people in the UK with experience of rack railway installations. My services are available...............

 

Can't believe how tidy that P'way is in this day and age. I see that graffiti artists get everywhere, though.

 

I see from the North Devon planning portal, that the permission was granted last week for the section Blackmoor Gate Whistlandpound.
Couple of issues, Mr Issacs be one and to do anything you have to get on with the locals.
The long standing debate.
The L&B has a planning app approved for a 3 year window but if you read it there are numerous issues not least of which is the cost of building the underpass bridge and remodeling the A39 junction with a 101 hoops, not least the cost.
Ok let's,assume they want to build the Railway Blackmoor - Whistlandpound.
Exmoor Associates own the trackbed land except Issacs, but short of an exchange for Chelfham, there is never likely to be an exchange deal.
Need I go on No......
This combined with the fact the vote last night to leave the EU.
There is no funding stream to build the L&B, it just evaporated as steam does.

But Hey Ho, dream on.