29th August, 2024
As our members and supporters will know The Lynton & Barnstaple railway has been operating trains from Woody Bay station to Killington Lane Halt since 2004.
A long-term programme of reconstruction of the original carriages using parts rescued from local gardens and farms resulted in the first two running on the railway in 2013. These were followed by three more in subsequent years, all constructed at our workshop in Essex.
The quality and craftsmanship of the carriages was recognised by the presentation of the 2018 Morgan Award by the Heritage Railway Association, and in 2023 Charles Summers, founder and leader of the project, was awarded the British Empire Medal for his work in recreating these heritage vehicles.
The Exmoor climate is a harsh environment for woodwork and each year extensive spot repainting and varnishing is necessary. We currently have a team of 4 volunteers who are continuously employed at Woody Bay trying to keep pace with the necessary maintenance including a planned repair and repaint for each vehicle every 4 years in rotation.
The Trust recognises that our heritage fleet is the ‘jewel in our crown’ and that we have a duty of care to the carriage fleet and to the grants, donations and legacies which keeps them and other L&B assets in good order. As such we have made a planning application to Exmoor National Park Authority for the construction of a carriage protection shelter over the ‘wall’ headshunt siding at Woody Bay to provide protection from the North Devon elements.
Full details can be found on the ENPA website, reference 62/43/24/005, [ https://www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/planning ] and for convenience we have provided copies of the planning documents below.