While holidaying in nearby Lynton and Lynmouth, I visited the railway for the second day of their Autumn gala. Woody Bay station, at just under 1000 feet was the highest station on the former Southern Railway network. The railway opened in 1898 and closed on 29th September 1935. The next day, a Woody bay resident and admirer of the railway, sent a wreath of bronze Chrysanthemums to be placed on the buffer stops at the line's terminus at Barnstaple Town station. The message with it read."Perchance, it is not dead but sleepeth". 77 years later to the day, you can see it is very much alive. The mile of track in use at the moment will soon be added to by another eight miles or so. The longer term aim is to re-open the entire 19 miles from Banstaple to Lynton. The short stretch already gives a taste of the beautiful scenery the line will offer. This is not a pipe dream and I was struck by the very professional set up of the whole thing, so much so, I joined as a member!..Replica locos are in the process of being buit, two original coaches are being restored and civil engineers Arup are on board to asses reinstatement or repair of the line's bridges and track bed ect. Two of the engines seen, "Brittomart" and "Lilla" are visiting from the North Wales Ffestiniog Railway. These are industrial engines that spent thier working lives in Welsh slate quarries. The four original locos that worked the L&B; were much bigger affairs. The Ffestiniog have built a replica called "Lyd" Have a ...

• published: 09 Oct 2012
• views: 842
• author: traindriver35