Lynton and Barnstaple - Operations and Development

I have to say I do find that rather charming myself, only either ride behind one engine because it's THEIR engine... how sweet. That said, they must be awfully sad at the moment, what with it out of service under overhaul right now.

 

That does not alter the fact that for the sixty years of the preservation era the "core" fleet at Puffing Billy has been the near identical Baldwin tanks, so I do not think that you should worry if the L&B have a fleet of four similar MW locos. It really does not deter traffic growth if you have the right marketing approach.

Peter

 

Hi,
I don't know what railway you're looking at, but the only 2-6-2 tanks running on the Puffing Billy railway are the near identical Baldwin design, but all were locally built, that have been the mainstay for 100 years. The only significant difference between the locos is 8A has a different chimney and has recently been fitted with external steam exhaust pipes from the cylinders into the smokebox, and 14A has recently been converted to oil firing, to prevent the risk of a spark starting a fire, particularly through the Wright forest. ( The reasons for the external steam pipes can be found here https://puffingbilly.com.au/news/workshop-blog/continental-puffing-billy/ The ONLY other loco that operates normal services is the 2-6-0+0-6-2 Garratt, G42, soon to be joined by the NGG16. There are a number of other locos that are only used for special workings, ie., the Climax, Peckett, and the Couillet's. The other three locos in service are 6A, 7A, and 12A. Parts of 3A still exist, and there are some members suggesting it should be rebuilt, but quite frankly so little is left, and most of it is beyond restoration, it'd be cheaper and easier to build a new one from scratch. Historically a number of writers have claimed 3A and 4A were built from parts supplied by Baldwin with the original two which came out, 1A and 2A, but with the exception of a number of castings, this is now considered by some who have had a chance to examine what little remains of 3A to be more fable than fact.
Regards
Ian J

 

It's probably my naff English and should have said the PB have "two loco's in their main fleet that are not Baldwin 2-6-2T's" sorry for any confusion.


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We're discussing the emerging locomotive fleet because there's nothing to discuss at the moment as far as route, land purchase, track extension etc. Its very hard to disagree with the direction the management are taking, they are taking the steps they need to take, getting the permissions they need to obtain, maintaining the current infrastructure, repairing "soon to be needed" structures, getting funding in place for said extensions and arranging an apparently achievable motive power strategy,....Apart from taking issue with individuals personally,(which is not actually anyone's business but the parties directly involved) there's nothing to complain about-but the project is too exciting to keep quiet about.

 

Reading through this thread, one thing [to me at least ] really stands out. What ever "we" here at Nat Pres think one way or another, the "management" of the current L & B, they have many irons in the fire and are beavering away on many fronts. So if the acquisition of land/planning permission is taking a bit longer or negotiations are more sensitive , then they switch to say planning/restoring/acquiring suitable rolling stock, improvements the current line as it stands at the moment etc. They certainly appear to be doing well..... on most fronts even if some of us here don't agree or think they should be taking things in a different direction.

 

I have to admit that, particularly in view of the heritage carriages being in (the very attractive) L&B livery, it surprises me that it seems to be the intention that both Yeo and Exe are to be in Southern condition and livery. I would have thought that having one of the pair in original condition would have added some variety. The current corporate image seems to be firmly green locos and two colour carriages without variation.

 

Yeah, but so far they have (as far as the restored original fleet goes) they have one locomotive and one train of carriages. By that standard, I have a corporate image of a white van with blue signwriting exclusively.
I suppose they could paint the other side of the coaches in Maunsell green.....

 

IIRC, the intention is to have one of the locomotives (I can't recall which one) finished in L&B holly green, to compliment the heritage carriages.

 

Sounds better, though I would like to think one might be in original condition with long cab roof if not the motion skirts. Their website does refer to getting sponsorship for SR number plates for both MWs which is why I thought both were to be in SR Condition.

 

This week due to John Barton being away from the internet, the following video by Trevor Garnham featuring John Barton talking about the Bridges Project thus far is substituted in lieu of the regular written weekly report.



Please support the project, all donations will be greatly appreciated.

 

*UPDATE*

Lynton and Barnstaple railway are now apart of the rail riders club!

 

https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2019/10/rail-riders-is-returning-after-nearly-30-years.html

 

Further to my last post, a short report covering the last 2-week period showing photographic images of Bridge 54 and 55 have appeared on the L&BR website.

Here is the image of Bridge 55 now nearing completion.


Photo credit - John Barton

and for comparison here is the bridge as it stood back in 2017.
Photo credit - James Bloomfield

See Progress Report here >>> https://www.lynton-rail.co.uk/page/phase-iia-construction-news

 

It is good to see these regular updates, it really encourages people to support the L & B when they can see what is happening on the ground.

 

I think you mean "a part" rather than "apart" but what exactly does this entail? What are the benefits of membership to the L&B, and to Rail Riders? What other West Country railways are also involved?

 

From what I've seen, Rail Riders membership gives members discounts at participating businesses. For those businesses, I assume it's like any other promotion, hoping that it encourages extra visits rather than cannibalising existing visits.

 

There are online weekly "Work in Progress" reports, based on the sterling efforts of "The Thursday Group" volunteers, going back more than ten years, but the addition of the Phase IIa Construction updates are a welcome addition. They may not continue unabated, as construction progress will vary, but I do believe the L&B website is one of the most frequently updated in the Heritage Railway sector.

 

The L&B does feature on the RailAvent link, but not in reference to RR, and as RR doesn't come into play until next year, I'm not sure there is any formal link with the L&B as yet. Certainly nothing on the website.

 

Does anyone know what the rostered engine for next week is?