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Lynton and Barnstaple Railway
The Lynton and Barnstaple Railway (L&B) was a single track, 1 ft 11+1⁄2 in (597 mm) narrow gauge railway. It opened in May 1898 and ran for slightly more than 19 miles (31 km) through the area bordering Exmoor in North Devon, England. Although it opened after the Light Railways Act 1896 came into force, it was authorised and constructed before that act. It was authorised under its own act of Parliament and built to higher (and more costly) standards than similar railways of the time. It was notable as the only narrow gauge railway in Britain that was required to use main-line standard signalling. For a short period, it earned a modest return for shareholders, but for most of its existence it made a loss. In 1923, the L&B was taken over by the Southern Railway, and closed in September 1935.
The Lynton and Barnstaple Railway Trust was formed in 2000; and a short section was reopened to passengers in 2004. This was extended in 2006; and the following year plans were announced to open 9 miles (14 km) of track, linking the station at Woody Bay to both Lynton (at a new terminus on an extension to the original line, closer to the town) and Blackmoor Gate, and to a new station at Wistlandpound Reservoir. The present track is now 600 mm (1 ft 11+5⁄8 in) narrow gauge.
Following the opening of the Devon and Somerset Railway to Barnstaple, there were calls for an extension to serve the twin towns of Lynton and Lynmouth, which were popular with holiday-makers.
Through the middle of the 19th century, several schemes were proposed, from established railway companies and independent developers. One scheme suggested electric power, while another proposed a line from South Molton. None of these schemes offered sufficient prospects to encourage investment, and few got further than initial plans.
Due to the difficult terrain, one scheme suggested a 1 ft 11+1⁄2 in (597 mm) narrow gauge, already in use by the Festiniog Railway Company and elsewhere, to ease construction. This scheme was supported by Sir George Newnes, publisher of Titbits and The Strand Magazine who became chairman of the company. The Lynton and Barnstaple Railway Act 1895 (58 & 59 Vict. c. lxxii) was passed on 27 June 1895, and James Szlumper was the consulting engineer for the work.
The line opened on 11 May 1898 with public service commencing on 16 May, connecting with trains from Waterloo on the Ilfracombe Branch Line at Barnstaple Town.
The scheme did not meet with universal enthusiasm, and from the beginning, there were some who doubted the true intentions of the promoters. Although many of the sinuous curves and deviations were due to having to maintain a 1 in 50 gradient where there was no leeway (most observers being oblivious to the fact that a straighter shorter line would have made the gradient even steeper), several were due to resistance by local landowners along the route.
A guide published whilst the line was being built stated:
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Lynton and Barnstaple Railway
The Lynton and Barnstaple Railway (L&B) was a single track, 1 ft 11+1⁄2 in (597 mm) narrow gauge railway. It opened in May 1898 and ran for slightly more than 19 miles (31 km) through the area bordering Exmoor in North Devon, England. Although it opened after the Light Railways Act 1896 came into force, it was authorised and constructed before that act. It was authorised under its own act of Parliament and built to higher (and more costly) standards than similar railways of the time. It was notable as the only narrow gauge railway in Britain that was required to use main-line standard signalling. For a short period, it earned a modest return for shareholders, but for most of its existence it made a loss. In 1923, the L&B was taken over by the Southern Railway, and closed in September 1935.
The Lynton and Barnstaple Railway Trust was formed in 2000; and a short section was reopened to passengers in 2004. This was extended in 2006; and the following year plans were announced to open 9 miles (14 km) of track, linking the station at Woody Bay to both Lynton (at a new terminus on an extension to the original line, closer to the town) and Blackmoor Gate, and to a new station at Wistlandpound Reservoir. The present track is now 600 mm (1 ft 11+5⁄8 in) narrow gauge.
Following the opening of the Devon and Somerset Railway to Barnstaple, there were calls for an extension to serve the twin towns of Lynton and Lynmouth, which were popular with holiday-makers.
Through the middle of the 19th century, several schemes were proposed, from established railway companies and independent developers. One scheme suggested electric power, while another proposed a line from South Molton. None of these schemes offered sufficient prospects to encourage investment, and few got further than initial plans.
Due to the difficult terrain, one scheme suggested a 1 ft 11+1⁄2 in (597 mm) narrow gauge, already in use by the Festiniog Railway Company and elsewhere, to ease construction. This scheme was supported by Sir George Newnes, publisher of Titbits and The Strand Magazine who became chairman of the company. The Lynton and Barnstaple Railway Act 1895 (58 & 59 Vict. c. lxxii) was passed on 27 June 1895, and James Szlumper was the consulting engineer for the work.
The line opened on 11 May 1898 with public service commencing on 16 May, connecting with trains from Waterloo on the Ilfracombe Branch Line at Barnstaple Town.
The scheme did not meet with universal enthusiasm, and from the beginning, there were some who doubted the true intentions of the promoters. Although many of the sinuous curves and deviations were due to having to maintain a 1 in 50 gradient where there was no leeway (most observers being oblivious to the fact that a straighter shorter line would have made the gradient even steeper), several were due to resistance by local landowners along the route.
A guide published whilst the line was being built stated: