Lynton and Barnstaple - Operations and Development

The reason is the use of sharp curves by using 2ft gauge. Also helped with 1 in 50 gradients. If a proposal in 1883 for a Standard Gauge line by roughly the same route (except at Wistlandpound) had got through Parliament and been built it would have had 5 tunnels. There were none on the original L & B plans of 1894, but the tenderers for the construction contract were obliged to state how much they would add or deduct from their price for a 220 yard tunnel at Martinhoe just north of where Wooda Bay Station was built. The contract gave the Company the option of a cutting or a tunnel. The successful contractor deducted £1, but the option was not taken up. If it had been built the revivalists would have the prospect of an easier time going northwards towards Lynton, with no bridge to replace under the main road (SR No 69) and only a comparatively small amount of cutting at the Ranscombe end to clear. More detail on this, including drawings of the proposed tunnel and its portals etc., and a whole lot more on the railway in a forthcoming pair of books on the history.

 

Shugborough? As ever though we are drifting.

 

Tunnels even on narrow gauge are very expensive and restrictive. In short, the whole loco and railway development of the Ffestiniog is shaped by how narrow Moelwyn Tunnel was. No tunnels means fewer costs larger locos which is probably a decent payoff against the costs of having to work steeper gradients, especially on a narrow gauge line which is economically marginal.

 

You make it sound like the builders of railways would add in bridges or tunnels just for fun and to make 'interesting features'
In the real world these 'interesting features' cost a lot of money to build and maintain, so you don't do it unless you absolutely have to!

Keith

 

.......and of course, once inside a tunnel, you couldn't look out over the gorgeous Devon countryside!

 

Ahem, Fairbourne Railway?

 

The tunnel(s) at Fairbourne (there were two at one time) were built to hold back sand from drifting onto the track where it cuts through a sand dune, so whilst the one that's left does add a feature it also fulfills an important purpose.

 

If you were not in a tunnel, you'd be looking at the sides of a rock cutting, surely ?

 

Not necessarily. The track might be following the contour line around the 'outside' of the hill.
Looking out of one side of the carriage one would indeed see a cliff face, but looking out the other window the ground would drop away and one would have a glorious panoramic view.
We look forward to enjoying that experience in the not too distant future when the L&B is extended towards the reservoir!

Mike

 

Point taken, but I was referring to the tunnel proposed north of Wooda Bay Station, the summit of the line, where the actual cutting has much higher sides than carriage windows, or it had before it was filled in the 50s and 60s. Photographs on p39 of 'L & B Journey' and p50 in the earlier edition.

 

Time to set the record function.....L & B to be featured in.......
.Walking Britain's Lost Railways Friday 27 November 8pm Channel 5

 

I enjoyed the programme and it clearly highlighted the attractive views from the line. Chelfham viaduct is certainly a jewel in the L&B crown. I'm sure it will have boosted interest in the line and will attract more supporters. Well done C5.

 

Due to the Covid-19 problems so far this year, it is now more than 12-months since a work-in-progress report for Chelfham was published on the L&BR website. This evening that changed, as a new report was uploaded which provides an insight into some of the new work and projects that are now in hand to further develop the site. Perchance this small part of north Devon is being recreated back to excellence? I must stress that all the work was undertaken whilst observing Government Regulations, including some work being undertaken off-site at volunteer's home locations.

See >>> https://www.lynton-rail.org.uk/story/chelfham-station-november-2020

 

Likewise. It did strike me though that maybe the L&B are missing a trick and a few quid by not organising walking tours over Chelfam Viaduct. I expect someone will post the reason why not.

 

The L&B don't own or have access to the viaduct.

 

Good programme, liked the first part about the Ilfracombe line.

 

Indeed, very nice to see the results of such much ongoing good work despite all the difficulties - well done to all concerned !

If I can be excused a slight 'correction', but with regards to the caption to photo 2, then it would appear not to be an 'original style' lever-frame. Although indeed a ground-level 'knee' type, it looks like a Stevens pattern similar to that now used at Woody Bay (but without the front and back panels fitted), and quite different from the original EoD type used by the L&BR. But I doubt that most visitors would notice or be aware of the difference...

 

There is only one person I know that would be able to make that distinction!

 

Clearly then I have failed to educate my (few) readers

 

I completely forgot about this yesterday but, thanks to the catch up channel 'My Five', I watched it this morning. It's available until the 8th October, 2024, so you've got plenty of time...