Apart from historic photographs, unless otherwise stated, all photos on this site were taken by members of my family. Please don't republish them without my permission. Thanks. © 2008 Mark Collins 10-06-2010 | | Woody Bay ~ Lynton & Barnstaple Railway ~ Devon Click here to return to the Lynton & Barnstaple Route Map.
| Woody Bay station, the highest on the line, has been purchased by the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway Company who have set themselves the goal of reopening the whole of the line. Here is a view of the station from the road, complete with a cloud of smoke rising from the tracks - can it be that trains have returned? | | Imagine my surprise when we drove into the station approach to see a real steam engine, a bright red one named Emmett, sitting in the platform, see picture below! I had no idea that the new owners had made such rapid progress - what a brilliant achievement. The picture, right, is of Van No.23, which was built by the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway at its own Pilton Works in 1908. When built it was designed to carry 8 tons of goods, as well as the train guard. Unlike most vans on the line, No.23 was constructed with a wooden under frame, and it was doubtless this which saved it from destruction when the line closed in 1935. Although still devoid of wheels, the van looks terrific propped up in the goods dock at Sandy Bay. | |
| The two pictures below were taken inside Van No.23, one of the brake handle and another wider view of the interior. | | |
| | Here is a close up of Emmett, together with one of the replaced signals at Woody Bay
| On our return visit in 2004 we were pleased to see passenger carrying trains in operation. |
| The station complex was bustling! |
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