After a week on frustration, learning that The Barnstaple Branch was closed on Saturday and Sunday my worries were unfounded as everything clicked into place with only a few minutes between connections. With departure from Penzance at 06.30hrs Exeter St David's was reached by 09.20hrs, crossing over the bridge to exit the station buses from Camborne depot in West Cornwall greeted us, as someone remarked what a motley collection of old double deckers, however they did the job. The journey to Barnstaple was timed at 88 minutes arriving by 10.57hrs, on arrival most of the party sprinted to the loos before catching the 21 Stagecoach service to Barnstaple Bus Station at 11.01hrs. Another change of bus occurred at the Bus Station with Filers Travel 310 service to Woody Bay, entertained on route by a Cornish Jethro born in Redruth Hospital, lived at St Columb Minor and emigrated across the border into Devon driving the Optaire Bus. Two contributors of the website Sid Sponheimer from the Caradon area and David Tozer from Exmouth Junction joined us on route where many a tale was told. The Steam Gala brought out many people to North Devon with trains fully loaded to Killington Lane, there were many other happenings during the Gala but time prevented us doing everything. Leaving the Gala behind we returned via Lynmouth the scene of the Great 1952 Disaster then returning direct to Barnstaple Station for the 16.50 double decker service to Exeter, connecting into the 18.46 Cross Country service to Penzance where the train arrived on time.
Many Thanks must go to The Lynton & Barnstaple Railway for a wonderful Gala and to the members who supported this trip.
Many Thanks must go to The Lynton & Barnstaple Railway for a wonderful Gala and to the members who supported this trip.
140927a Arrival at Barnstaple Station our bus from Exeter St David's the 09.30 service, a Camborne based Double Decker which normally serve the routes of West Cornwall. Copyright Roger Winnen
140927b Lyd stands at Woody Bay Station, built in 2010 at the Boston Works of the Ffestiniog Railway. This engine drew the crown to the L & B Gala and was on a free loan from the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways. Copyright Roger Winnen
140927bb A close up of the wreath carried on Lyd. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
140927bbb The attractive Nameplate of "Lyd" Copyright Sid Sponheimer
140927bbbb No 190 Lyd stands alongside the station buildings at Woody Bay. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
140927c Lyd looking very smart as she awaits the arrival of the next train. Copyright Roger Winnen
140927cc This could be an accident waiting to happen, a runaway! Luck would have it, that these are two sidings, the main line is off to the right of this picture. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
140927ccc Giving Brake Van rides to the short siding next to the P.W Depot. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
140927d Running neck and neck into the station. Axe on the left and Lyd on the right. Copyright Trevor Tremethick
140927e A beautiful well proportioned engine of the type built for the line in 1898 by Messrs Manning, Wardle & Co, of Leeds. Copyright Trevor Tremethick
140927f You might have thought that this photo was from the beginning of the last century, you are wrong, the camera never lied years ago, but today anything can be created from the digital camera of today! Copyright Trevor Tremethick
140927ff The superb carriages of the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
140927g A 4-4-0 Charles Wytock built by Bagnalls in 1946 for the Tongaat Sugar Estates, Natal. Copyright David Tozer
140927gg Photographed on shed by Sid Sponheimer is Charles Wytock a 4-4-0 Tank Engine. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
140927h Watering Lyd in the running shed at Woody Bay. Copyright Roger Winnen
140927hh Side by side at Woody Bay "Isaac" in motion and "Lyn" awaiting its turn on the next train. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
140927i Isaac climbing the bank from Killington Lane to Woody Bay. Copyright Roger Winnen
140927k The permanent way depot with two diesels plus an L & B truck etc. Copyright Roger Winnen
140927kk Looking up to the permanent way depot and diesels at Woody Bay. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
140927m Running around at Killington Lane the terminus at present. Copyright Roger Winnen
140927j Isaac entering Woody Bay with the permanent way department on the left. Copyright Roger Winnen
140927p Not forgetting the fine small scale locomotives on the adjacent running line. Copyright Roger Winnen
140927o What a fine site Lyd makes on the approach to Woody Bay. Copyright Roger Winnen
140927n What a spectacular finish to the engine, adorned with a wreath commemorating the line closure in 1935 Cameras erected to cover every movement. Copyright Roger Winnen
140927q Our return bus service at Lynmouth, the Filers Travel to Barnstaple Station. Copyright Roger Winnen
140927r This is Lynmouth scene of the great flood disaster of the 15th August, 1952 when 35 people lost their lives. Copyright Roger Winnen
140927s No visit to the Lynton & Barnstaple is complete without a photo of the Chelfham Viaduct standing 70 feet high over the Stoke Rivers valley. Copyright Roger Winnen
140927t Looking down from the Double Decker as we leave Barnstaple, the lines to lfracombe would have carried across to the lower left of this picture and to Bideford and Torrington lower corner right. Copyright Roger Winnen