darren01 Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Hi all I thought I would share with you a day out I had up at the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway. A good friend of mine had booked me on as a cleaner for the day, starting at 7am! I had to get up at 5am to get over to him and then on to the railway for the day, on arriving to our loco for the day was waiting in its shed. The loco was brought out with the help of a small shunter, and we set about getting her ready with me cleaning all the paint work and brass. This took around an hour to do, while the fire warmed her up and the driver went round oiling up. The smell of coal, steam and smoke early in the morning on a spring day was wonderful. The rest of the day was spent going up and down the line and on the last few runs I had a go on my own at firing “AXEâ€, so here are a few photo of the day, and I would like to thank all the people at the Lynton and Barnstaple railway for giving me such a good day out……I think I will be going back for a bit more of this…. All the best Darren 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium DLT Posted June 1, 2011 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 1, 2011 Sounds like a great day Darren, but has it temped you to switch to modelling narrow-gauge ??? Dave. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allegheny1600 Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 Lucky you, Darren! An early start but well worth it, I'm sure. Sigh! If it wasn't so far away from me, I'd consider coming down to play as the L&B has always appealed to me, lovely railway! Cheers, John E. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
roythebus Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 I can vouch for the management of the L&B, a number of them have been in the preservation movement a long time at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. They seem to have migrated via the WHR, helping to lay track there as well! Glad you had a good day out. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markeg Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 Hi Darren, Looks like you had a great day. Photos look good, did you get a photo of yourself doing the work, always handy to show others? I enjoyed the article about your layout in the recent Model Rail. I picked up my copy while I and my wife were in the UK. We even stayed in Devon (around Spreyton) and had the option of heading to the L & B, but chose to use our full day as a rest day (and washing clothes) and just went into Exeter for an outing (shopping and sight seeing). So may put it on the 'to see' next time. Mark in OZ 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Fatadder Posted June 5, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 5, 2011 Visited the L&B yesterday with Helen, both really enjoyed it, fantastic views (and I manage to get something rail releated into our weekend away. Would definitely recommend the 1st class upgrade with it's comfatable seats and curved observation window Looking forward to visiting again in the future (hopefully it wont take too long to extend it further Best thing to come out of it is that ive been told I have to make a model of the station.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sn Posted June 9, 2011 Share Posted June 9, 2011 I did some exploring of the abandoned bits of the line back in April while on holiday that way. I'll post them up if anyone is interested. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted June 15, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 15, 2011 I did some exploring of the abandoned bits of the line back in April while on holiday that way. I'll post them up if anyone is interested. Yes please, it's always interesting to see and perhaps some of them will see trains again one day? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold mudmagnet Posted June 15, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted June 15, 2011 Sounds like you had a great day Darren! There are a few parts of the line that you can get to fairly easily and others are on private land, so obviously not possible. Also, part of the track bed is submerged under Wistlanpound Reservoir! I have walked on parts of the line in the past. One part that I walk on frequently is the section in the Scout Camp Site! The access road runs along some of the old track bed and there is some minor evidence of ground works at the far end of the camp site. Quite a bit of work has recently been carried out at Snapper Halt, clearing the overgrown foliage! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
45669 Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 I did some exploring of the abandoned bits of the line back in April while on holiday that way. I'll post them up if anyone is interested. In which case you might be interested in this thread : http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/39103-lynton-and-barnstaple-railway-in-1961/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Siberian Snooper Posted March 6, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 6, 2018 There has just been a piece on the local spotlight news, about a planning application for an extension to Blackmore Gate. There seems to be a public meeting on the subject, with a number of local objectors, one is complaining about the pollution it will cause and one local land owner telling them to go and play trains elsewhere. She apparently owns some land at Blackmore Gate, which she won't sell to the railway. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold papagolfjuliet Posted March 6, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 6, 2018 They've got it. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Siberian Snooper Posted March 6, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 6, 2018 It will be on the BBC spotlight news, shortly. I think that for a short while it will be available on the iPlayer after the news finishes. It's just come on. So a few minutes in. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold tractionman Posted March 6, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 6, 2018 (edited) It will be on the BBC spotlight news, shortly. I think that for a short while it will be available on the iPlayer after the news finishes. It's just come on. So a few minutes in.Hopefully this link works http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-england-devon-43238857?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=5a9ed372b94027067b7c8ccd%26Lynton%20rail%20plans%20passed%26&ns_fee=0#post_5a9ed372b94027067b7c8c Here's the report "46 Lynton rail plans passed Kirk England BBC Radio Devon Plans to extend a steam railway on Exmoor have been described as "environmental vandalism" at a public meeting today. The Lynton and Barnstaple Railway closed in 1935 but a mile-long section of the narrow-gauge railway reopened in the 1990s. Railway BBC Today, plans by enthusiasts to reinstate another five miles across Exmoor were agreed. Eventually they want to rebuild the whole 19-mile route between Lynton and Barnstaple. Some homeowners are furious as the line would cross their land." Cheers, Keith Edited March 6, 2018 by tractionman 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold papagolfjuliet Posted March 7, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 7, 2018 More here. Note the main objector issuing what can only be described as a threat to the members of ENPA. https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/first-phase-multi-million-pound-1306343 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted March 7, 2018 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 7, 2018 More here. Note the main objector issuing what can only be described as a threat to the members of ENPA. https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/first-phase-multi-million-pound-1306343 Nimbyism is alive and well and living on Exmoor. As JDCA Prideaux pointed out, the economic benefits of any sustaining tourist attraction are enormous in the wider community. (Devon Live didn’t mention either his authorship of a number of railway books, or his former roles as head of InterCity or Angel Rosco!) And this is restoration of a link, not invasive construction of a new road. Having, in all honesty, been a trifle underwhelmed by our visit to the line last Autumn, I am delighted to see this news. More is better. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Andy Kirkham Posted March 7, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 7, 2018 It says that four of the five applications were approved, but one - the demolition of a bungalow on the trackbed at Parracombe - was refused. I wonder to what extent this will hamper the reinstatement. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinT Posted March 7, 2018 Share Posted March 7, 2018 It says that four of the five applications were approved, but one - the demolition of a bungalow on the trackbed at Parracombe - was refused. I wonder to what extent this will hamper the reinstatement. I don't think that's quite right Andy. The application refused (62/50/16/005) was for the building of pair of semis at Parracombe to replace the bungalow. The first of the 4 applications approved (62/50/16/001) was for the re-instatement of the line between Killington Lane & Blackmoor Gate - which includes the demolition of the bungalow. Martin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Andy Kirkham Posted March 7, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 7, 2018 (edited) I don't think that's quite right Andy. The application refused (62/50/16/005) was for the building of pair of semis at Parracombe to replace the bungalow. The first of the 4 applications approved (62/50/16/001) was for the re-instatement of the line between Killington Lane & Blackmoor Gate - which includes the demolition of the bungalow. Martin That's good to know. Thanks Martin. The Devon Live website must have got it wrong as they state: The first four were approved but the final application to demolish a bungalow at The Halt in Parracombe to make way for the rail line was refused. The railway's own website http://www.lynton-rail.co.uk/ has not yet been updated with this news. Edited March 7, 2018 by Andy Kirkham Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rovex Posted March 7, 2018 Share Posted March 7, 2018 Some homeowners are furious as the line would cross their land." Cheers, Keith If the line doesn't own the land its going to cross then it won't get built. Unless rights were retained at the time the trackbed was sold off, which seems very unlikely. Its a funny thing with our planning laws that you don't have to own the land to apply for planning permission on it I'm all for this, and must surely be a beter way of getting tourists to enjoy Exmoor than having them drive all over it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Andy Kirkham Posted March 7, 2018 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 7, 2018 (edited) If the line doesn't own the land its going to cross then it won't get built. Unless rights were retained at the time the trackbed was sold off, which seems very unlikely. I think that the Transport & Works Order, when they obtain it, will include powers for compulsory purchase. Edited March 7, 2018 by Andy Kirkham 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rovex Posted March 7, 2018 Share Posted March 7, 2018 I think that the Transport & Works Order, when they obtain it, will include powers for compulsory purchase. Afraid I'm not up on rebuilding preserved railways and wasn't aware that was a possibility. I'd always assumed that preserved lines had to negotiate with any landowners to buy the trackbed. Well good news for the L&B then :-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
locoholic Posted March 7, 2018 Share Posted March 7, 2018 (edited) Just goes to show how poor journalism is sometimes - the reports make it sound like Lorna Doone was written in the bungalow due for demolition (the book was written long before the line was originally built, and so even longer before the bungalow was built), and it is far from clear whether the railway has permission to demolish the bungalow. If it hasn't, then there is a big problem. I also found that the Exmoor National Park planning website has also not been updated yet. A while ago I was looking to support the new railway, but the rather labyrinthine organisational structure that has been buying up bits of trackbed put me off somewhat. Edited March 7, 2018 by locoholic Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinT Posted March 7, 2018 Share Posted March 7, 2018 ... and it is far from clear whether the railway has permission to demolish the bungalow. If it hasn't, then there is a big problem. A while ago I was looking to support the new railway, but the rather labyrinthine organisational structure that has been buying up bits of trackbed put me off somewhat. I don't think there's any doubt about it - permission to demolish the bungalow has been granted by the approval of Application 62/50/16/001. I'm not sure it's labyrinthine - but may be it's because I'm a member! The L&B Trust is concentrating on buying land from Lynton down to Wistlandpound which is needed for the first re-openings. A separate company, Exmoor Associates, is buying land south of Wistlandpound which is needed in the longer term. Having said that the Trust does own some land further south (it was specifically offered to the Trust) & EA does own land in Parracombe which will be needed in the short term. In order to buy the Old Station Inn (& associated property & land) at Blackmoor Gate & run it on a commercial basis the L&B Trust has set up a company L&B Blackmoor Coy. plc in which the public are invited to buy shares. It is proposed that a dividend will be paid if the company is profitable. Go on - join us! Martin 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWCR Posted March 8, 2018 Share Posted March 8, 2018 You dont need planning permission to demolish a modern bungalow, you would of course need to own it. You do need planning permission to build the replacements. The requirement for these is to fund the purchase / demolition. Great news for the L&B regarding planning however its a long way from reinstating the line. The next stage is the TWA, as stated this could include Compulsory Purchase Powers but this is not a given. To be granted these it must be shown that the requirement for the properties is essential and that the overall scheme has such a public benefit that it over-rides the property owners rights. The desires of such as ourselves to see the line relayed is irrelevant. Regardless of how individual property owners are seen (some probably rightly) as unreasonable, it is actually their land. Worst case, you wait; as long as it takes. Other railway extensions had similar problems, a change of ownership of the problem property soon resulted in a ready agreement. Pete . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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