Lynton and Barnstaple Railway Spring Gala 2015 Coach 11 - 2819 Charles Wytock - Axe 100

Another year, another heritage coach enters service. It's easy to start taking them for granted, but just remember, with the exception of just one paid member of staff, these superb coaches are the result of volunteers giving thousands of hours of their time. Coach 11, the fourth for the railway, was officially seen into service by the Earl of Arran of the nearby Castle Hill estate and was financed with a £150k grant from the Coastal Communities' Fund, part of the National lottery. This money is now spent so please consider making a donation to help with the construction of more coaches. The next one maybe coach 9, another open centre third, the same as coach 7 already in service.
Celebrating her 100th anniversary this year is our resident Kerr Stuart loco "Axe". A "Joffre" class engine built for the French army to serve on the western front during the first world war. Recently lined out, her livery is our representation of an original L&B livery, bearing in mind we only have written accounts, black and white photographs and a few hand coloured postcards to work from.
Bagnall loco 2819 (not 2891 as in my caption) "Charles W(h)ytock" entered passenger service this weekend. A bigger cousin to our other Bagnall loco "Isaac" she was built in 1945 for the Tongaat sugar company in South Africa, before spending some 50 years out of action and was restored recently. When teamed up with Isaac the pair made the 1in 50 gradient back to Woody Bay station melt away. (31:23) . The nameplates are not the originals and it seems these replacements came with a spelling mistake. All other references to the name are of Whytock, with an H. The owner told me he's going to get them replaced at some point.
2015 is a big year for the railway with seven planning applications currently being submitted for the multi-million pound, 4.4 mile extension from the current temporary terminus at Killington lane, through Parracombe, reinstating the halt and rebuilding a large embankment, then on to Blackmoor and Wistlandpound reservoir. New headquarters for the railway will be built at Blackmoor, with the old station redeveloped and once again brought into use serving trains as well as maintaining the current pub and restaurant operation. Carriage, loco sheds and workshops will also be built there.
2016 will see the arrival of new build replica locomotive "Lyn" a unique engine built for the opening of the line in 1898 by the Baldwin locomotive works of Philadelphia U.S.A. www.762club.com
Further details and the latest news can be found at www.lynton-rail.co.uk
If all this sparks your interest please consider making a donation or joining as a member.
UPDATE AUGUST 2015: The next heritage coach will now be number 5, a composite compartment, two first class and four third. This will give the railway a much needed increase in first class capacity. As stated before, all the grant money for coach building has been spent so please consider making a donation. Details via the website. www.lynton-rail.co.uk The team in Essex are busy making and restoring components for another four heritage coaches in general and the next under frame will be ordered from Boston Lodge (Ffestiniog Railway) shortly.