Lynton and Barnstaple - Operations and Development

From the first report from the Wistlandpound working weekend, 2 views taken at the same spot, though with about 85 years between.
Both are through bridge 52, looking towards Blackmoor in the first, with clearance work continuing in the background, and towards Wistlandpound in the second sometime in the 30s:


(1st photo, James Bloomfield. More here:

https://www.lynton-rail.co.uk/story/1st-report-september-working-weekend

 

Am I imagining, or are the bricks of the arch the same type of white brick as Chelfham viaduct?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

They certainly look that way.

 

This may explain the source:
https://barnstaplemuseumblog.wordpress.com/2018/11/20/week-19-on-bricks-and-bricklaying/

 

Interesting article, but for a moment I thought that bench was destined to end up at the L&B. Which seemed a nice idea until I saw the photograph of it. I suppose it might be art, but....

 

A further report of the work completed at Bridges 54 and 55 is now available on the L&BR website.


Report includes this picture showing the work completed by the stone masons on the Barnstaple wing of Bridge 54.
Picture © John Barton.

See >>> https://www.lynton-rail.co.uk/page/phase-iia-construction-commences

 

What I find slightly curious about these rebuilt bridges is the 'angled' handrail design. With reference to the 'historic' photo of Bridge 55 on the L&B appeal page, it looks like there was originally no handrail at all, which presumably is not acceptable today, and I presume gauging prevents a vertical handrail, so it is what it needs to be, I suppose, but the end result is not exactly pleasing to the eye (not to my eye anyway). But more importantly if someone was to lean on it, they must be at some risk of losing their balance and falling through it, surely! I'd have gone for something a bit more solid-looking, personally, or maybe a stepped design.

Anyway, I'm not criticising, you understand, I'm sure it was all discussed at the design stage, and it's great to see such progress; it just 'looks odd'.

 

I think there is a mesh infill to prevent this.

 

Sadly (some would say), we live in the H&S-conscious 21st Century, not the 1890s, and some things have changed since then. Not all L&B underbridges were necessarily fitted with the same style handrails, but many were, and Bridge 67 was restored in similar fashion back in 2005, as shown in these images: https://www.lynton-rail.co.uk/page/bridge-67-killington-lane

 

As can be seen in the photos, so yes there is.

 

I think that the original cattle creep / occupation crossing type bridges all had angled handrails. There are lots of photos and videos showing these, for example here and here, or in this video. The design for bridges 54 and 55 looks a little more robust than the originals.

 

The new and rebuilt bridges thus far, i.e. Bridges 54, 55 and 67, as will all future bridges be so built to a standard using appropriate materials so they conform to the legal requirements of the 21st century.

The Lynton & Barnstaple Railway is being rebuilt by the L&BR Trust so that aesthetically the rebuilt line will appear to our visitors as it existed pre-1935. Therefore the bridges are being rebuilt to replicate the design of the original structures, similar to the original Bridge.15 (Snapper Cattle Creep) and this picture of Bridge No.12 (Stone Yard Bridge) between Pilton and Snapper Halt:



The side handrails were steel wire, supported by angle iron supports, the design of which is no longer acceptable for a working railway. There was no "mesh infill" fitted to the handrails. The mesh or wooden fencing is fitted both ends of the bridges where necessary to deter people from falling down the embankment. According to Steve Phillips book "The L&BR Measured and Drawn" ballast guards were fitted on bridges of this type as can be seen on the rebuilt Bridge.67.

 

THe mesh I can see seems to be in the site fencing panel behind the bridge handrail.
Or am I mistaken?

 

Bryan, which photograph are you looking at?

 

I thnk this shows it clearly enough:
As a footnote, what will the steelwork be painted in- SR engineers grey, or did the L&B have something different?

 

If they are pragmatic, they will leave it as it is to dull down naturally. No point in giving yourself a painting job every x years if you don't need to. I believe the steelwork is galvanised so there shouldn't (in theory!) be any need for paint.

Keith

 

Yes it does; I should have looked more closely!
Thanks for the explanations folks. Obviously I wasn't familiar with the original design, but the 21st century version does look like a good (slightly sturdier) representation of the original, so no worries there. In fact, thinking about the way the L&B does things, I'm not sure why I ever questioned it really!

 

I am very impressed with the progress that the L & B is making on several fronts....Well done to all concerned.
Re the new bridges...is there a timescale for track to be laid, even if there are gaps to the existing rail head?

 

I expect, as with most things, the timescale is largely down to money.

In my personal view, we need to gain our TWAO (a large undertaking, but actively being worked on), purchase the remaining trackbed (including Blackmoor Station), then complete the remaining infrastructure works - repairing embankments and cuttings, drainage, and undertaking the major construction projects - new bridges at Blackmoor Gate, Killington Lane (and in between), Parracombe Bank, Blackmoor Station, Parracombe Halt, etc.

I keep playing Euromillions, so fingers crossed! In the meantime, continued land acquisition and infrastructure repair (outside of Exmoor National Park, as per planning conditions), will help generate confidence and hopefully more investment in the project.

As mentioned many times above, joining the L&B Trust gives you access to the latest news, wonderful magazines and newsletters as well as the opportunity to volunteer. And don't forget, this coming weekend is the L&B Autumn Gala, featuring the introduction to service of Coach 5 as well as a mystery appearance of a long lost L&B locomotive! I will be there on Sunday, if anyone wants to say hello.

 

**UPDATE**

It's finally happened, A new way to donate to the L&BRT has been created, and our first order of business is the bridges!

It now takes less time to donate than it does to read this page!

To make a donation, just text 'BRIDGES' to 70085 to donate £5. This costs £5 plus a standard rate message.

Alternatively, you can opt to give any whole amount up to £20 by just adding the amount between 1 and 20 at the end of the word bridges, e.g. "bridges5" for £5 or "bridges12" for £12

These donations can also benefit from Gift Aid - just follow the link in your confirmation text to allow the L&B to benefit from another %25 direct from the tax man!