For those who have not already come across it, we would like to draw attention to the delightful photos of Ron Fisher from his summer trip to the L&B in 1961.
1961/08.01 This is the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway platform at Barnstaple Town station. Although a bit overgrown, it is clear where the narrow gauge tracks had been despite being closed in 1935. The standard gauge trains on the line to Ilfracombe called at the opposing platform face. August, 1961
1961/08.02 Outside Barnstaple, the course of the L & B heads for open country. August, 1961
1961/08.03 This is the halt at Snapper, some two miles from Barnstaple where this coach was still intact. It is coach No. 1, a saloon/brake, but truncated by the time I saw it, August, 1961. I also understand that this coach (half) was destroyed by fire at least 20 years ago. I think some of the door fittings had been removed prior to that. The coach’s brake column stancheon is the one now in L&B van 23, recovered in about 1998/2000 quite by accident when someone was searching around in the hedge. [The station forms part of the current parcel of land being purchased by Exmoor Associates].
1961/08.04 Coach No.15 had also been at Snapper, but, about a year beforehand, this had been purchased by the Ffestiniog Railway and removed to North Wales where it subsequently became buffet car No. 14. The London Area Group of the Ffestiniog Railway Society was involved in the dismantling and removal of this vehicle and a sign on the platelayer’s hut still proclaimed it to be the F. R. Co. Mess Room! August, 1961. [This hut is included within the current parcel of land being purchased by Exmoor Associates].
1961/08.05 Chelfham Viaduct was fenced off, so it was necessary to abandon the trackbed and walk down into the valley, rejoining the course of the railway further along. August, 1961
1961/08.06 Another view of Chelfham Viaduct. August, 1961
1961/08.07 This is Holloways Bridge No.26 a short distance from the site of the Chumhill accident which occurred at Cattle Creep 25.
1961/08.08 Overbridge on the L & B. August, 1961
1961/08.09 Somewhere on the L & B. August, 1961
1961/08.10 Another overbridge, somewhere on the L & B. August, 1961
1961/08.11 Narracott on the L & B. August, 1961
1961/08.12 A railway ran through here. Somewhere! August, 1961
1961/08.13 There is not much to indicate that a railway once ran through here, but does the fencing on the left give a clue? August, 1961
1961/08.14 Parracombe nestling down in the valley, seen from trackbed at Holwell Farm, August, 1961
All photos are © Copyright Ron Fisher
You can see more historic photos from when the railway was still open in our earlier news post, Lynton & Barnstaple Railway Historic Photos.
3 thoughts on “Lynton & Barnstaple Railway 1961”
What a fascinating selection of photographs.
An original item of L&B rolling stock, on the L&B, and IN COLOUR too …. is this a first?
Many thanks to whoever unearthed these.
Superb photos. if only colour had been more generally available in the ’30’s we might have been able to see another dimension of the railway. The picture of Holloways bridge is particularly evocative- it was a view just like this, of a grass- swathed cutting disappearing mysteriously under a bridge which gave me the bug for railways in my teens- it just said “well, come on and find out, then”!
Such evocative photos… Incredible to see such familiar landmarks in colour, and so relatively soon after closure.
And also such grounds for optimism: Snapper purchased; the viaduct restored and waiting and is that view from near Rowley Cross?
As I sit in a heritage coach behind Lyd, I will spare a thought for these images….