Lynton and Barnstaple - Operations and Development

A five coach train, Lyn will sound superb hauling these up the hill.

 

Plus maybe van 23, too?
It really seems incredible. Just 10 years ago, sights like that would have been Unthinkable. A full length, double headed L&B train in the landscape. We really are so fortunate to witness such things, after "80 years of hurt"

 

Of course, the closure at Chelfham might be to facilitate the laying of track across the viaduct, through the station and northbound to the present boundary.

Must be time for my medication again!

 

Two trains in the bay
George Newnes still gleaming.
80 years of hurt
Never stopped me dreaming.

 

Well said

 

Que? +1

 

Now this is exactly what I was talking about. Meatman, I understand that this is frustrating you but so far you description of the situation lacks any detail. If you want to be seen as making constructive criticism, not griping, then you need to be more clear. I would also suggest you remember that the trust's motives are good, although their communication may be unhelpful. Old Kent Biker, you won't help by telling people not to have this conversation; it will happen, this is a forum after all! We all know the gala went well and we are very pleased but it is a rather transparent way of changing the topic. If Meat man has anything interesting to say (who knows?) then I suggest he say it respectfully and I suggest everybody else be respectful enough to critique his details where they are inaccurate, rather than telling him to shut up because it clearly isn't going to work and it would be a sad state of affairs if it did!

 

The L&B, like all such railways, depends heavily on volunteers. One day, while some of them are beavering away, someone from the management turns up and tells them to b.....r off. That's all that we as outsiders have heard, so it certainly looks to us like a dispute, and a potentially serious one at that. How would any of us feel if we had travelled to a work site to contribute our labour and been treated thus? If there is an innocent explanation, why not reveal it straight away?

 

Doesn't do to speculate on rumours.....

 

Exactly! It's worth bearing in mind that 'volunteers' that have not been trained by a railway, have not 'signed on' officially for a session, or are not undertaking the task agreed on, may well not be covered by the railway's insurance and thus can be a danger not only to themselves but to the public. I'm not saying this is what happened here, but just lauding all volunteers without knowing the situation is a tad simplistic

 

It's a shame there seems to be something a little off with the way the L&B can publicise issues. There was the debacle with Lyn and the points earlier this year, plus the marketing director rather publicly threw his toys out of the pram on Facebook because one of the magazines hadn't promoted the recent gala (turns out they hadn't sent anything to said magazine).

There's a suggestion elsewhere that the closure of Chelfham may be down to building works. If that's the case, surely something along the lines of "We have had to close Chelfham due to unforeseen issues during building works, access is not possible for the public or railway members at present, we will provide further details on the issues and when the station will reopen as soon as possible" is better than the current message, which reads in a rather authoritarian manner.

On a more positive note - I really enjoyed the gala weekend, who would have ever thought we would see something like that? Was told Lyn is off back to Wales next spring for further trials as well.

EDIT:
I received a request from (I assume) an L&B member to edit my comment with regards the L&B marketing director and the recent gala publicity.

I have had the opportunity to talk to several colleagues who saw the correspondence on Facebook and also see a print out of the comments made. I believe my comment to still represent what was posted by the director concerned and how others read and interpreted it. However I am happy to put on record that a press release was supplied by the L&B.

I also note that the assumed L&B member privately accused me of being supplied with an untrue allegation by a 3rd party. This was not the case. I simply commented on what I read!

 

I'm on the verge of joining this organisation with a long term view of moving to that region but this sort of non transparent situation is putting me off, as trecking down there regularly isn't cost free.

 

I suppose this is a historical moment. The locos may be replicas but the first time in over 80 years that two authentic L&B trains have passed each other at Woody Bay. Taken on Martin's charter on October 1

 

That's a bit severe, every railway has its niggles and we don't even know what this one is about. Look at what they have achieved, and what is currently been funded (with our help).

 

Having been there for the first time last week I can say this is an impressive railway and when they achieve their extension they will join the big league of NG railways.

 

A brilliant sight to behold by all accounts, gives us all a glimpse of what could well be common sight in the not too distant future, and that's a prospect I'm sure we can all get behind.

 

Have a look at my post on the photography thread some more pics of the line as it is now

 

Brilliant, Johnb. Many thanks for sharing them here: https://www.national-preservation.com/threads/lynton-barnstaple-2018.1239034/

 

Thank you very much for sharing them, your photography is just superb I must say.

 

Perhaps not as infamous as I thought! Whorlton Lido is an area of river and open land used for open swimming and picnicking in County Durham on the River Tees. It has/had a miniature railway for sometime, but for one reason or another (which is disputed) the owner decided to shut the whole Lido to the public. He kept the railway in situ for his children (I believe), but was constantly bombarded by railway enthusiasts demanding access to see the railway and it's locomotives. This ultimately came to a head when a group of railway enthusiasts from Cardiff who felt they had a right to see it, broke in and had a look around. Needless to say that was not well received by the owner