Axe - return to steam

Next Sunday, 1st March, Axe will haul a revenue earning service for the first time at the head of a train completely owned by the L&B - a landmark day marking 30 years since the L&B Railway Association was formed.

Axe is Kerr, Stuart & Co Ltd build No. 2451 of 1915. A side and well tank locomotive, it was one of seventy 60cm gauge "Joffre" Class engines - named after the French First World War commander - ordered by the French government for service on the Western Front.

After the war, 2451 worked in a number of quarries in Northern France. In about 1956, 2451, along with four others of the same class, was found derelict, some 12 miles from Calais.

In 1974, all five locos - believed to be the only survivors of the class - were repatriated to England.

No 2451 was purchased by the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway in 1983. and, following the original L&BR’s policy of naming its locos after three-letter Devon rivers, was christened Axe.

Axe first returned to steam at Woody Bay at a special ceremony on Armistice Day 2008, to dedicate the loco to all those who served on the railways at the Western Front during the First World War.

The dedication was performed by the Bishop of Exeter, the Rt Rev Michael Langrish, and Rear Admiral Ric Cheadle, the Devon County President of the Royal British Legion.

Axe will be operating each Sunday during March, with a special weekend for Mothers' Day, and a more intensive service running from Easter and throughout the summer.

For further details, see the L&B Website

 

Another landmark for an outstanding heritage project! I continue to follow developments at the L&B with interest and admiration! Great job guys and gals!!

 

Axe in full steam, hauling a train at Woody Bay this morning
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That's a sight for sore eyes! Well done chaps.

 

Excellent news! Been a long time coming but makes it all the better that the L and B has its own steam loco in service now. I noticed the cab has been replaced/modified with a more British style - are there future plans to 'Lyntonise' it in lined southern livery with a bit of brass maybe?

 

Cor! =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>


Must make it down to Woody Bay, once the Angel Islington has got a new velocipede.