Lynton and Barnstaple - Operations and Development

Nor me either - Someone trying to put an obstacle in the way.

 

Fortunately for block working level-crossings are not regarded as an obstruction.....

 

I have a 4mm model of the L&B signal box at Barnstaple looking for a new home. It was hand-built by Roger Marler and cost over £200. Offers over £70/€80 considered; postage within Ireland and to GB included in price. Please DM if interested.

 

Wonder about the Hunslet proposal for the L&B providing an interesting geopolitical variation?

 

Funny you should mention them, I recently had an estimate for each version £ 1.25 Million x 3 total 3.75 million for all three types.

The discussion also went on to suggest that may be a fourth design based on Russell/ Tralee and Dingle/ Leeds No 1/Serra Leona 85 might also be a candidate was suggested but this estimate would be more in line of about £1.5 million pounds.

There are no shortages of possible candidates of loco designs for the L&BR and having a Hunslet on the books would be a popular choice.

I for one like the idea of having some variety in the loco stock, it has even been suggested that we build a modern up to date all bells and whistles 2ft gauge version of a BR class 3MT 2-6-2T or the 2-6-0 tender version.

It has been pointed out that the late Phil Girdlestone had started on such a project but no one is for sure just how far he got with it, the location of it is known but no contact has been made with the current owner.

 

Section 73 Planning update March 2023 - The Lynton & Barnstaple Railway (lynton-rail.co.uk)

 

I wonder how many people have yet to receive their copy of the News Bulletin with the Options and Vote form?

 

I just hope that the post is a signal that some extension work might start soon!

 

'Signal' - aah, very good. I see what you did there

 

Much as I want to see some extension work somewhere in the near future, IMHO it is rather premature and a little risky to do anything that commits the Trust to time, effort and a serious amount of expenditure until (a) it has had a proper, in-depth consultation with the membership about the 'way ahead' and (b) there has been a proper (ideally independent) analysis of exactly who, what and why the initial Phase 2A work failed. Otherwise how can we be certain that this will not prove to be merely another example of 'hope over experience' - we simply can not afford a second 'hiccup'.

 

Possibly a bit excessive for Blackmoor....

 

I'm a bit confused as to whether I'm expecting an email, a snail-mail bulletin, or both. Either way, I have received neither!

 

I've had nothing of the sort, whether electronically or in the post. However, I'm not sure that this is necessarily part of the consultation promised, unless of course you're saying that this is what you have received.

 

The News Brief is being sent to L&BRT members via the Royal Mail in batches. As such, not every member (including myself) has yet to receive the post.

 

At the moment it appears to be the only part of the consultation process to involve the membership, at least prior to the AGM. It states merely "Your opinions and comments will be taken into consideration before the next steps are progressed" - whatever they might be.

 

It hasn't arrived in East Sussex yet.

 

Just delivered this morning by Royal Mail in Walton-on-Thames.

 

The problem with the 'consultation' document is that there is nothing about how the Grob-blockage can be overcome in Option C (the option preferred by the Trustees).

 

Absolutely -nothing alienates the locals more than a high-handed 'we will just take what we want' attitude. CPOs are ugly things to bandy about. We DO have a lot to offer the communities through with the railway will run, but the narrative of knowing what is best for them needs to take a back seat. There are much better ways to bring potential objectors on side, and one of them is to listen more.

 

What would your solution be?
Apart from CP, (which opens up a long wait on planning, TWAO, public enquiry and also all the costs associated), I'm not really sure what other options are available.