transformation at woody bay

(25.6.1980)




26 years later! (30.7.2006)

The Lynton and Barnstaple was one of Britain's finest railways and should never have been closed.

It's taken decades but the line is at last reappearing, and what a fantastic job they're doing of it! Not only is the stretch around Woody Bay now operating again, but other sections of the route have been purchased for eventual rail use. The intention is to rebuild the whole line - anything less would be a disgrace - and even to extend the line further into Lynton to connect with the Lynton to Lynmouth Cliff Railway. In fact the L&D has been a huge influence on the drive to rebuild the Somerset and Dorset Railway, which now also has a group dedicated to restoring the entire route and not just silly little bits of it!

rural gem

WATERGATE HALT

(Copyright 24.6.1980 Steve Sainsbury/Rail Thing)

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This little gem was Watergate Halt on the Torrington to Meeth line in Devon. In 1980 this line was still used by china clay trains and was the remaining section of the North Cornwall Junction Light Railway, opened as recently as 1925. The line originally ran from Torrington to Halwill Junction, and was never heavily used by passengers, one coach usually being sufficient to handle the traffic. It struggled on a few years after 1980 until closing completely. It's unlikely that this line will ever reopen, which is a shame as it was a classic country light railway, but who knows? It closed to passengers in 1965, lasting just 40 years.