Lynton and Barnstaple - Operations and Development

if anyone hasn't been yet, do go to Woody Bay. This line is a gem, it will be major one day

 

Hi Martyn it is in the last newsletter I got this morning No 56 saying the construction design team has to now work out just how we are going to rebuild the railway in a practical manner, to me as we have the two planning permissions from NDDC, it makes perfect sense to work on the planning details for this part of the project while we are waiting the ENPA decision.

Also it said that as there are various conditions that also need to be addressed, we should not forget we still have along way to go, but just getting to the pre construction stage is a mile stone within itself, and a big thanks needs to go to all those who have carried the work out so far.

We should not forget that we also have to have CDM compliance, H&S issues to be worked out and where is may be cheaper or the only way to do something have to draw up terms of contracts for anything that needs to meet QA standards as well, such as the new bridge at the Blackmoor road junction plus any detailed drawings than need to be put together now at this stage if they need to go out to contract.

May be I am adding two and two and making five, but once we own Blackmoor (shares still available) it makes sense to get any construction work done in the area so that this commercial stream is up and running and is not disturbed at a later date with construction work being carried on outside.

I don't think for one moment that we will have two railways running at the same time (as volunteers would be required for both sites) like we have not done so in the past with Chelfham, so I cannot see us operating both Blackmoor and Woody Bay unless they where joined which is the long term plan.

If we had the volunteers then I might suggest that Axe could go to Blackmoor and become a 'how to drive a steam loco operation' at weekends once we have LYN at Woody Bay. But that is pure speculation on my part.


Colin

 

From someone who drives well over 2000 miles just commuting to and from north Devon on five or six occassions each year, I must correct what you say. The Lynton & Barnstaple Railway including Woody Bay, Chelfham and Snapper Halt is already one of the best major heritage railway attractions in Britain.

Chris

 

No, I think you have a way to go yet to claim that. I admire your loyalty and enthusiasm though.

 

Sometimes it just takes ages for a plan to come together, this is just another step down that road, but it is beginning to happen for North Devon, I am not sure how many people are still members from the very early days of the L&BR group, but for me it has been a life time only another 3 years to go before I have been a member for 40 years and it has been worth the wait.

 

Could always relocate the 7 1/4" line to Blackmoor

 

Blackmoor has the potential to be all sorts of things in time and it is this which holds my interest, I would love to have a narrow gauge model museum (something like Pendon but showing the various industrial roles of the narrow gauge railway in the UK).

 

You mean like from the 2'6" L&MR in lovely countryside, to something of the other extreme like a sewage works railway, with a welsh slate quarry and road building for other types of narrow gauge railways.

 

Exactly some of them could be made is say 16mm which would allow for some very smart electronics and special effects in not only the locos but some of the machinery as well.

 

With the line fully reinstated, there will be several intermediate stations along the route (how many exactly, I don't know, but possibly more than the original line). Each should develop (imho) as a destination, with its own unique draw, that will encourage passengers to visit, stay, and spend their tourist pounds. I doubt reinstating the golf links at Caffyns is feasible (although not impossible), but one station with a miniature/garden railway theme could be such a draw. As the WB MR is already fairly well established, why not leave it there and develop it further, leaving Blackmoor as the Operating Centre, with plenty of attractions based on that?

 

Whats the position with funds to build it all??

 

Funding? We'll need some - quite a bit actually

The next stage is to obtain all the planning permission (two of seven applications have now been approved - decisions on the remainder are expected within a few months), then obtain the T&WAO, fund raising will follow. All contributions very gratefully accepted!

 

A Blackmoor 'Pendon' is a bit 'pie in the sky' and premature at the moment I suggest, plus no point doing anything on the ground at Blackmoor till the other planning applications are determined, and all the land needed at Blackmoor and in between is purchased by market or use of statutory powers in due course.

Some long way to go yet.

Cheers,
Julian

 

I totally agree with you Julian, but some one has to come up with an idea and then get it costed and presented to the Trustees for hopeful approval, if there is one thing I have learned and that is to be a bit more business like in working with the L&BR Trust.

This is not going to be a toy train set or a one off exhibition model layout, but more like a number of 3D visual diorama's showing what narrow gauge railways where used for in the old days.

 

It is the besetting sin of railway "preservation" not to finish one thing properly before moving on to the next scheme. Happens time and time again.

PH

 

The next stage is to obtain all the planning permission (two of seven applications have now been approved - decisions on the remainder are expected within a few months), then obtain the T&WAO, fund raising will follow. All contributions very gratefully accepted![/QUOTE]

In message number 336 Martyn refers to serious fund raising which will be required once the TWAO has been granted. However, he makes no mention of the exercise which is already underway, namely the share offer to buy The Old Station House Inn (previously Blackmoor Station). Further details will be found on the home page of the L&B website http://www.lynton-rail.co.uk/

Legislation prevents me from encouraging readers to invest any money, but I am permitted to draw the attention of readers to that page!

Mike Pearce

 

Known stations and halts to be reopened include Barnstaple (Pilton yard), Snapper Halt, Chelfham, Bratton Fleming, Blackmoor, Parracombe, Woody Bay (already open), Caffyns and Lynton.

Other known halts to be open Wistlandpound (Lakeside) and one which has been mentioned in the past, but so far nothing official has been worked out and that is an Exmoor Zoo halt, which is between Blackmoor and Bratton Fleming.

 

According to the latest HR, the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway Trust has brought Fairview at Parracombe.

 

They must be confident about getting planning permission then!

 

What do we know about how the proposed extension is to be funded