Lynton and Barnstaple Railway - heritage line, plans for expansion (merged posts)

[whole diary]

[johnneyw]

Apparently the Just Giving appeal has passed £19,000 today.

[Umberleigh]

Well the good news from Exmoor Associates and Friends of Bratton Fleming Station is that THEY have now put in an offer for the station:

http://www.exmoor-associates.co.uk/2020/07/bratton-fleming-purchase/

[TonyK]

Well the good news from Exmoor Associates and Friends of Bratton Fleming Station is that THEY have now put in an offer for the station:

Seemingly accepted, subject to the usual shenanigans.
http://www.exmoor-associates.co.uk/2020/07/bratton-fleming-purchase/

Bratton Fleming Purchase
POSTED JULY 21, 2020
A quick update …. we met with the agent and vendors on Friday (17 July) and it looks like our offer to buy has been accepted. We are keeping everything crossed.

[grahame]

Tempted, but sticking with UK^▸ (United Kingdom) where I know about the jurisdiction.  Not too worried about getting a bus stop at the station ... but worried about actually getting any buses to call there.

Some of my pix from Facebook ... and with confirmation from one of those core rail folks who is an advocate of better public transport even outside the working week.  Bit of a long way, though

And as a contrast in locations, now up for sale, North Woolwich Station for a million or so.
https://www.strettons.co.uk/property-search/commercial/property/25067/the-old-station-5-pier-road-royal-docks-london-e16-2jj

The Old Station is located on Pier Road, close to its junction with Albert Road. It is situated overlooking the Thames, within a short distance to North Woolwich Pier for use of Woolwich Ferry. North Woolwich is currently undergoing vast regeneration to include a brand new residential development directly opposite the Old Station, as well as a number of mixed use developments nearby.

The Old Station was previously part of the North London Line and before that, the Great Eastern Railway. It was turned into the North Woolwich Old Station Museum in the 1980s and featured a reconstructed 1920s ticket office, plus locomotives, carriages, models and railway memorabilia.

[bobm]

After a three year gap I took advantage of the late autumn sunshine to take another trip to the L&B.

To my mind it still offers some of the best views from a heritage railway.







No pre-booking was required and there only a handful groups travelling which admittedly did make photography easier!

[eightonedee]

To my mind it still offers some of the best views from a heritage railway.

I think supporters of the NYMR^▸ (North Yorkshire Moors Railway), Wensleydale, West Somerset and Swanage may challenge that, but it certainly looks worth taking a ride to enable me to form an opinion!

[bobm]

Perhaps it wins on a view per mile basis!

[grahame]

Perhaps it wins on a view per mile basis!

On views per mile I would go for the L&B's near neighbour that you also travelled on, Bob ...

[johnneyw]

To my mind it still offers some of the best views from a heritage railway.

I think supporters of the NYMR^▸ (North Yorkshire Moors Railway), Wensleydale, West Somerset and Swanage may challenge that, but it certainly looks worth taking a ride to enable me to form an opinion!

You could certainly add the Welsh Highland to that too.

[grahame]

I admire the vision of those in charge of the L&B but i was always for an extension towards Parracombe once the trackbed was purchased in 2009 and some prominent figures such as the FR's Paul Lewin have voiced the same opinion. The actual running line is less than a mile at present and hasn't moved an inch in either direction since 2005.

A step closer there - see Lynton-Rail

The L&B Trust is delighted to announce that it is the new owner of 'The Halt' at Parracombe. More importantly, not only does the L&B own another station - but perhaps more significantly, for the first time in our history - as we own all the trackbed from Woody Bay Station to and including Parracombe Halt - we have joined up two of the L&B's long-closed stations.

As part of the deal, the Trust also purchased the infilled Rowley Cross Cutting - extending our ownership of L&B trackbed all the way from Holwell Wood to Rowley Cross.

These two sections of railway are an important and vital part of extending our land holdings both towards rebuilding and reopening but also towards the length of line we need to unlock the TWAO^▸ (Transport and Works Act Order ) application. A very good start to the year and a great cause for optimism for the future!

[grahame]

So sad this is gone ... would be so wonderful to have it back

And at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=208pPyL1YCs

[Red Squirrel]

So sad this is gone ... would be so wonderful to have it back

Perchance it is not dead but sleepeth

[bradshaw]

Marion and I visited it a few weeks ago. It is well worth the trip and plans for an extension to Parracombe are in the making. However, the old halt at Parracombe was at the end of a narrow lane off the narrow road through the village. The villagers are not happy about this as they feel, I think rightly, that the village cannot take the road traffic that might develop. I did suggest to one I talked to that advertising the halt as walkers only might be an answer.

[Ralph Ayres]

I would expect visitors arriving by car would still use the existing car park at the other end of the line at Woody Bay. It's only a few minutes' drive away right next to the main road, it's free and anyone coming from the east would reach it first.  There would be no benefit from parking at the Parracombe end instead so I can't see a problem unless satnav users specifically put Parracombe station in rather than ask for directions to the L&B.  Other heritage railways have successfully opened stations with poor road access and pitched them at walkers and cyclists as mentioned. It could also lead to L&B passengers visiting the local pub and shop/cafe, though perhaps the locals don't want that?

[grahame]

Not sure of the final / current outcome at Bratton Fleming, but here is Blackmoor Gate

https://www.lynton-rail.co.uk/news/view/old-station-house-inn-purchased

We are pleased to announce that agreement has been reached for the L & B Blackmoor Company PLC (L&BBCo.) to purchase the Old Station House Inn at Blackmoor Gate.

The purchase includes the pub and its restaurant, the adjoining house as well as adjacent land (purchased by the L & B Trust) to accommodate the construction of the future L & B station at this site. The purchase will be completed on 17th April, 2023.