Lynton and Barnstaple Railway

While on Holiday recently we ventured West from Minehead, up the steepest A-road in Britain, and over Exmoor to Woody Bay, to visit the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway. This well-known railway is one I've wanted to visit for some time, even though there is (currently) only a short length of line operating.

The preservation group have not only recently completed the replica build of "Lyn", the Baldwin 2-4-2 that ran on the original line, but also recreated a rake of the original coaches. Both the loco and the coaches are built to a high standard - even interior details of the coaches - and are kept pristine.

The station and grounds are also nicely restored and well kept, yet the atmosphere is friendly and informal, the tea room is a marquee for example. This is still quite a "young" preserved railway, but has big plans to reopen many miles of the old line. I wish them well.

It also has to be said that the setting is quite beautiful!