Lyn prepares to make L&B debut

There’s little over a week to go before Britain’s newest steam locomotive, the replica Lynton & Barnstaple Railway 2-4-2T No. 762 Lyn, makes its public debut at the L&B’s ‘Autumn Steam Gala’ on September 30-October 1.


On the back of a low-loader, Britain’s newest steam locomotive arrives at its new home of Woody Bay station on the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway. KEITH VINGOE

The unique Baldwin-designed locomotive has recently been outshopped in Southern Railway olive green livery, the colour scheme the engine carried after it was overhauled at Eastleigh in 1929.

It will be paired with the railway’s four-coach rake of authentic L&B carriages at the gala, the first time the line has been able to field a complete L&B train of its own making.

Lyn steamed for the first time on July 8 at Alan Keef Ltd, Ross-on-Wye, albeit in undercoat. It left the works on a low-loader for its new home at Woody Bay on September 11.

The L&B’s other resident locomotives - Kerr Stuart 0-6-0T Works No. 2451 ‘Axe’, Bagnall 0-4-2T Works No. 3023 ‘Isaac’ - will be in steam at the event.

In the run-up to Lyn’s launch, Keith Vingoe, the L&B’s Director of Marketing, has said: “Please do not descend upon us expecting to be able to see the loco because, for the time being, Lyn will be spending most of its time in the shed.”

All day tickets cost £15 for adults, £12 for concessions, whilst a family ticket (2 adults + 3 children) will cost £36. Children under 5 go free.

There is disabled parking only at Woody Bay; the railway is offering a free park & ride service from Caffyns Halt.

For more information, visit www.lynton-rail.co.uk or telephone 01598 763487.

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