How many of us thought that 75 years after the L&Bs closure everyone would now have the opportunity to ride into Woody Bay behind an engine of the type that was used on the L&B and also in the last carriage to leave Woody Bay Station on 29th September 1935?
The Ffestiniog Railway's newly completed, full-sized, L&B Manning-Wardle replica is coming to North Devon in September. The loco will be accompanied by original ex-L&B coach No.15 (now FR No.14) and Ffestiniog Railway 1st class carriage No.102 to form a heritage train especially for our Autumn Gala.
With fewer than 40 seats on each heritage train we strongly advise booking your seat in advance.
For the benefit of those who have not yet booked their tickets, the L&B carriage is now fully booked for the 11-30 and 12-30 trains on Saturday, although seats are still available in the FR carriage for these services.
10-30 and 14-00 trains on Saturday are filling rapidly.
Seats are still available for all other Saturday services, and all Sunday services.
Sunday August 8th., and 'Lyd' hauls its first test train on the Ffestiniog Railway in glorious summer sunshine. The loco travelled from Boston Lodge works as far as Rhiw Goch, and performed faultlessly...
Monday 23rd August PM
Lyd succesfully reaches Blaenau Ffestiniog under her own steam.
Lyd arrives is due to arrive at Launceston on Wednesday 15th September, and is anticipated to undergo trial runs on Thursday 16th and Friday 17th, during which visitors may be able to see Lyd in steam. Public service trains will be run with Lyd on Sunday 19th September. So if you are in the area, go along and see Lyd in steam on another bit of the Southern!
For more details of Lyd's visit to Launcestonclick here
Lyd at Woody Bay
The following weekendLyd is to be the star attraction at the L&Bs September Gala marking the 75th Anniversary of closure of the line in 1935.
Owned by a Registered Charity and consequently run "Not For Profit" - we offer narrow gauge train rides in Exmoor National Park at Woody Bay Station North Devon - England's highest narrow gauge railway station
This is only Phase 1 of a really exciting railway project Click here to learn more about "Exmoor Enterprise"
"I visited the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway about four weeks ago with my wife and two daughters. I am pleased to say that we all enjoyed the experience more than expected. There was more to see than is the perception given by the website. In addition to its location, we particularly liked the general tidiness (especially the toilets) the tea rooms, and the general ambience of the station and the environs. We also found the volunteers on site friendly and efficient with none of the officiousness that I have experienced elsewhere. The focus on customer enjoyment rather than just running a railway is to be commended."
Classic Car enthusiasts visiting Woody Bay - June 2009
See what happens at Woody Bay, courtesy of YouTube and Steampics
Steam trains are often hauled by our own loco Axe. More details about this loco and its history are here.
About the L&B
Closed in 1935 - this is the first phase in rebuilding one of the world's most famous and picturesque narrow gauge railways; the legendary Lynton & Barnstaple Railway. A one mile section has now been reopened allowing visitors to travel by train along the original 'L&B Railway' route above the Heddon Valley near Parracombe in South West England's Exmoor National Park. Today’s visitors can experience a taste of what will one day become one of the ultimate heritage narrow gauge railway experiences of the world.
