Lynton and Barnstaple - Operations and Development

I hope you won't be disappointed!

 

I'm really glad you took this photo, it helped no end when putting the roof back on the rebuilt hut

 

I was a working member of the LAGs in 1961 when I walked the L&B, so there was a personal connection with that hut even though I wasn't involved with the collection of the carriage. That took place before my time. Anyway, I'm glad that shot came in useful 57 years later!

 

Not at all, absolutely fascinating stuff!

 

What happened t the vehicle body shown in one of the pictures? Is that the now-preserved van or was it lost?

 

There are notes explaining each image - on a mobile just click the picture. This is apparently the coach that was left at Snapper Halt and subsequently set on fire.

 

And I have to admit that I pinched it for the Vintage Carriages website. I did give Ron the credit for the photo, though

 

Is there any news on Van 23?

 

Not an official response by any means, but my understanding is that Van 23 is still in covered storage at the L&B EAST workshops in Essex (I last saw it before they moved from Great Yeldham). Some restoration work has been done, although a new steel underframe is needed as the wooden original is unsuitable for use in passenger service.

Carriage 5 is due to be completed and delivered to Devon next year, and Van 23 will then be the next priority.


Van 23, newly moved into the new EAST workshops, July 2017

 

As a child on holidays in North Wales we used to often walk along the Welsh Highland along the Aberglaslyn Pass and I never thought it would ever be rebuilt! And with the L & B I was always told the closest I was ever going to get to riding it was to travel on number 14 or looking at models at exhibitions.

 

I, too, walked the Welsh Highland trackbed and it was doing that that prompted me to do the same on the L & B.

A bit off topic I know, but if anyone's interested to have a look, my pictures from the Welsh highland walk are here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/train-pix/sets/72157626287601418/

 

Thanks for those photos. I too remember walking the WHR years ago, although I only did part of it.

 

Is it known how much the steel underframe costs? Maybe a NatPres based funding initiative could be set up to cover that?

 

Blackmoor Gate is a mouthwatering prospect, even if they never get any further, not really that far from Killington Lane . Such a lovely line, it will in time be a major attraction in the area.

 

The IoM Railways bought two new galvanized steel carriage underframes from Boston Lodge 3 or 4 years ago and IIRC they were about 7k each. Probably worth a phone call.
Ray.

 

I think the number is on speed dial - Blodge built the bogies and underframes for the 4 restored carriages.

 

And are building the 5th now!

John

 

Has that appeared in a FR "Moving Pictures" yet? Only a matter of time, surely...

 

Yes, I'm sure the cost is on the L&B website somewhere - but I was hoping someone from the railway might answer before I had to trawl through all the news pages on the website....

 

An entire carriage a few years back was costed at £160,000.
So, the underframe is probably at least half of that if not more.