Lynton and Barnstaple - Operations and Development

I see a recreation as something rebuilt from scratch with absolutely nothing original remaining.
But, others may see it differently.

 

I suggest that the 'Historic' L&B was very different to the 'Historic' WHR

Its one of the reasons why I dont get excited over anything other than the three Rheidol tanks working on the VofR

 

My understanding of grandfather rights was that they were in place until 2014, when anything new had to comply with the current ORR regulations. Grandfather rights were a way to bridge the gap between old and new regulations, protecting existing practices from abrupt changes.

Coming back to the current stock at Woody Bay, I think the reason given was that each coach had a substantial amount of the original carriage used in the reconstruction, I am not sure how the Tayallyn or the FR have gotten over these issues with the new coaching stock that has been built since, it may well be the case that they are now exmpt of the ORR regulations. Which, if so, is a good thing. That said, I am not sure if traceability of material is still an issue that has to be abided by.

 

They are exempt from mainline regulations as are the L&B.
I post again for information...
https://www.orr.gov.uk/guidance-com...rogs/exclusions-mainline-railway-requirements

https://www.orr.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2025-03/rogs-exclusions-approved list.pdf

 

I agree with this, however, two long-term considerations need to be considered as well:

1 The number of volunteers available to operate shorter and more often trains

2 Just how popular will the railway become once it is longer in operation?

I am not suggesting we go against ENPA Policy when any other station is rebuilt in the park or outside it, for that matter, but I feel it should be noted that ENPA should be advised of this issue when new plans are submitted. I think the following report may help when it comes to rebuilding the railway

https://www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov...-Public-Opinion-Survey-2023-final-results.pdf

See page 21

Just came across this as well

https://www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov...-Visitor-Economy-Covid-Impact-Full-report.pdf

 

I quite agree, although we're into jurassic park/ wooly mammoth territory. If the new carriage has physical elements of the original, then it must be a rebuild, otherwise where does one draw the arbitrary line- 10%, 20%? everyone will have their own version of the yardstick.
As an example for the defence, I'd point to the Bluebell's "rebuild" of 32424 "Beachy Head", which is accepted as such even though its not much more than a regulator handle, but I'm quite happy to see it that way.
Historically, railway companies often did similar, although that was principally to keep the accountants happy!

 

The Lynton and Barnstaple railway, and the Southern Railway ng which it became, had its own unique character, quite different to any and all other British narrow gauge lines*.
If the project is to re-create the former L&B, then there is the argument for rebuilding it on the former route etc. which might well be the justification for some measures.
If the project is- 'we've got a bunch of locos and we want to play trains' any opposing landowner would be saying "fine, but do it somewhere else" and there's no argument against that.
You could take your toys and buy up a chunk of the Princetown branch, or the Lyme Regis branch. Copy Tony Hills, or Julian Bowman**, because if you sacrifice the integrity of a faithful re-creation, then what is the moral justification in expecting others to let you do it, or support you doing it.
I never quite 'got' the old WHR, or NWNG- perhaps it went before tourist photographs immortalised it, or perhaps it lacked a significant style or character. Anyhow, I don't think anything has been lost by having a safari park for garratts carrying tourists through Snowdonia, just as I don't think anything is lost having that zip-wire in the quarry at Llechwedd- but neither is preservation, or re-creation. Just entertainment and recreation.
When the Bluebell Railway was founded, 70 years ago, no-one knew if enthusiasts could run a standard gauge railway. Why they chose that site, I don't know, but clearly the opposition, if there was any, was not insurmountable. Presumably if there was major opposition at Horsted Keynes, they could have gone off to Heathfield, or Hailsham or Hawkhurst. The Bluebell is not the most faithful, exclusively accurate preserved branch line in Britain- it didn't set out to be, and taking a swipe at its mismatched stock misses the point. They were pioneers, and many sites might have been equally attractive.
*Of course the same could be said for the Leek & Manifold, Corris, Talyllyn, Festiniog, Campbelltown & Machrihanish, VoR, Southwold...
** Absolutely no criticism of Messrs. Hills and Bowman, or of their railways in any way.

 

You have highlighted two distinct flavours of the L&BR, one the independent days and the other under the Southern Railway banner. Some prefer the independent days, while others would like to see a Southern Railway Narrow gauge set up, which could be done at one of the other stations, a bit like the Mid Hants, with different periods at different stations.

The old saying of, that you can't please all the people all the time is so true when it comes to the rebuilding of the L&BR.

 

And there is plenty of opportunity to mix the different periods, whilst still being faithful to the original- the corporate transformation was very slow and piecemeal, and, as on the ground research has shown, in some places probably never happened at all. That's the beauty of it!