Lynton and Barnstaple Railway 125th Anniversary Weekend
A short trip to the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway, for the Saturday of their 125th Anniversary Weekend. The line is just 0.9 miles long, running between Woody Bay Station, and Killington Lane, with no intermediate stops. The line is relaid along the old branch line from Barnstaple to just outside Lynton. It is much steeper than most mainlines. Originally closed in 1935, a section was relaid and opened in 2004, and along with a short extension in 2006, it gives us the line we see today. The Masterplan is to see the line extended to a length of 9 miles, however, a more likely (short term) 1 mile extension is in the pipework. Despite this completion would be rather spectacular to see. The track work and maintenance is impeccable, one could mistake it for a mainline, a testament to those who spend their time on the line. There is a selection of rolling stock, with a couple of steam locomotives and diesels, along with a selection of carriages and wagons. On the Saturday, the service consisted of replica, Southern 762 ‘Lyn’, and 4 coaches. Meanwhile, Kerr Stuart & Co Ltd No. 2451 ‘Axe’, was running up and down between the sidings and platform at Woody Bay.