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Lynton and Barnstaple Railway Re-construction
photograph by Peter Richards
The plaque at Woody Bay station on 22nd August 2002. The 'phone at Woody Bay rang from time to time with the caller enquiring after times of trains!
On arrival at Woody Bay station one was greeted by a plaque bearing the following legend:
"The Lynton & Barnstaple Railway was opened in 1898 and closed in 1935.
This station, Woody Bay, acquired in 1995, is one of four stations between the terminus at Lynton and the main line station at Barnstaple. In 1999, Chelfham station was purchased and the following year the adjacent viaduct underwent major restoration partly funded by donations from members.
The Lynton & Barnstaple railway Company was formed in 1993 by the members of the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway Association, now a Trust, with the aim of reconstructing as much as possible of the original railway.
Despite the length of time since closure remarkably little develpoment has taken place on the route of the railway. Given the continuing support of the public, landowners and the local authorities it is possible that the entire railway between Lynton and Barnstaple could one day be reopened, with the potential of becoming one of the most famous heritage railways in the world."
Unlike Volk's Railway the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway was definitely Southern! One of the quintessential memories of the Southern Railway must surely be the little Manning Wardle tanks proudly bearing the legend "Southern" in huge letters on their side tanks. These pages are not, however, dedicated to this brave little narrow gauge line that ran through some of the prettiest North Devon countryside, calling at little villages with wonderful names such as Snapper and Parracombe whilst joining the valleys of the River Yeo and West Lyn. That railway died, unfortunately, in 1935 after just 37 years of operation.
This is about the beginning of the realisation of a dream held by many during the past few decades of re-building this line, restoring the route to its former glory. During the past few years a new Lynton & Barnstaple Railway has slowly emerged which today owns the stations at Chelfham and Woody Bay, plus the track bed from Woody Bay to the outskirts of Parracombe. In addition, when Chelfham viaduct, which is still the responsibility of the Network Rail Property Board, was recently repaired, the L&B paid the extra costs necessary to bring it up to train-carrying standards and to replace theparapets. The railway started a limited public service on 17th July 2004 and with that aim in mind had started track-laying at Woody Bay during August 2002.
Inside the station building at Woody Bay was the plan of work being carried out there. The aim is to restore it to the condition it was in when the line closed, plus three extra sidings and a locomotive shed.
photograph by Peter Richards
The station building adjacent to the up platform. The original station entrance was directly in front of the building, but as this is on the now-busy A39 main road, a new entrance has had to be constructed a little further to the south, (to the right of this picture) leading to a car park area.
photograph by Peter Richards
This is how the station building looked six years earlier in 1996. Prior to being bought by the present railway, the old station house had been used as a rather primitive holiday home with neither running water nor electricity.
photograph by Marion Richards
The replica station name board, fixed to the original posts, and the signal cabin, adjacent to the station buildings.
photograph by Peter Richards
The replica station name board (also on the original posts) and two-lever groundframe situated on the Down platform. Further along this platform can presently be seen the remains of an original wooden name board. It is, however, in too poor shape for restoration!
photograph by Peter Richards
The track-laying gang, 22nd August 2002. The upper line leads to the car park where it will form a transhipment siding. Continuing in the direction of the lower line is the main trackbed towards Parracombe. Despite Parracombe being a reasonable sized village, it only warranted a Halt!
photograph by Peter Richards
The sleepers leading towards the foreground are in the dock road. This line initially formed a headshunt for vehicles coming down from the transhipment siding.
photograph by Peter Richards
Track-laying continues. Charlie the four legged foreman can just be seen checking the integrity of the 1' 11½" gap between the 50lb, flat-bottom rails.
photograph by Peter Richards
This was how the way ahead looked in 1996! Compare this with the picture above, the tree on the left in this picture is the one just to the right of the white van above.
photograph by Marion Richards
This was the August 2002 view down the transhipment siding from the car park towards the station area.
photograph by Peter Richards
Work progressing on the Up Starting Signal which, in the railway's last years, was a typical Southern two rails post with lower quadrant arm. The arm that is to be used for this signal is an upper quadrant so will have to have its spectacle plate changed in order to be authentic. There is, fortunately, a very clear, large size, photograph of the original.
The Down Starting Signal was on a wooden post until the end, so the new one will also be constructed with a wooden post.
photograph by Peter Richards
Vehicles obtained by the railway for use in construction were on an unconnected piece of line in the car park at the top of the transhipment siding.
photograph by Peter Richards
Eleven months passed since the previous fphotographs were taken and during that time the scene at Woody Bay changed quite a bit. The whole site has a tidy and business-like air to it, though no work was being done on the day of this particular visit.
On 23rd July 2003 the dock road was host to several wagons, mainly for use in the construction work but one, pictured here, is the original L&B Brake van º23 that has been restored by members of the present day railway. Note also the smart new railings that have been installed along the rear edge of the platform.
photograph by Peter Richards
The gates in the railing that allow entrance to the platform. The end of the station building has gained a handsome new "Southern Railway" notice board, though at present this has just one small notice!
photograph by Peter Richards
The very neat appearance of the station is enhanced by the well-kept grassed areas and the length of track forming the platform road. The track to the opposite platform stops short at present.
photograph by Peter Richards
The Up Starting Signal at the end of the main platform, made from a converted Upper Quadrant Arm, ready to despatch a train to Barnstaple! The shield is to prevent light behind the signal giving a false green aspect. The small yellow notice carries the warning "Caution, mind your head"!
photograph by Peter Richards
The view southwards on 23rd July 2003, with some quarter of a mile of track laid. This is still very uneven and will require fettling before a service can be run.
photograph by Peter Richards
The Down Home Signal that controls entry to the station from the south. This is a standard Southern Railway Upper Quadrant Signal arm though the lamp shown is for a lower quadrant signal.
photograph by Peter Richards
This page was last updated 2 August 2012
