On Thursday 09 May work started on the laying of a length of scenic track in front of the platform at Snapper Halt,by mid afternoon on Sunday 12 May five track panels had been put down resulting in approximately 150 feet of track being layed along nearly the whole of the length of the platform,all that needs doing now is some final levelling and some top ballast to finish.Many thanks and a big well done to all those involved in the work and thank you to all of you who kindly donated towards this project.
14 thoughts on “SNAPPER HALT TRACK PANELS”
Congratulations on this significant achievement. What is the current thinking on the following two queries, please?
1. When the reinstated L&B railway reaches Snapper, will EA’s efforts be incorporated or replaced?
2. Will EA’s Track Fund continue to function with the intention of extending the current length of track?
Thank-you Jim,in answer to your questions
1.It would be nice to think our efforts would be incorporated,we have laid this track as close to original L&B specifications as we are led to believe but it would all depend on who is running the railway at that time and of course,when they eventually get here.The reason we used Jarrah wood sleepers was because they are known for their longevity.
2.If people wish to continue to donate specifically to the track fund,then as and when funds allow,we will add to what we have already put down,after all,it would be nice to continue around the curve at each end and out of sight so to speak to give the impression of continuity when looking “up or down” the line
Will there be any ‘maps’ with this new addition to the Yeo valley?
What’s a rough estimate for the cost of materials to achieve Item 2 – ie track going out-of-sight in each direction – and what would be the approx length?
Well done L and B for bringing Snapper Halt back to life one day trains will really return to this lovely place the sound of steam hissing by the platform.
I am very impressed with the work E.A. have done to bring Snapper Halt back from the brink, your hard work does you a lot of credit, the next time I am out West, I really must pop down and see the railway for myself.
It’s very hard to guess a price Peter; if we could get someone to donate the track (or at least the rails) then all we would have to find would be the sleepers, ballast and membrane! I would think probably around 100 yards in each direction +/- would have the track-ends not visible from the platform? Then there really would be a sense of longing for the train to arrive. Much depends on how badly folks want to see this … it’s not really what EA is about – we are just pleased the trackbed is secure.
There is a map, maintained by Chris Lane, but I don’t know if he differentiates between land ‘owned’ and land ‘with track laid’?
I’m hoping extending Snapper track is still in the forefront of people’s minds. It would be lovely to hide the track ends round the bends! Please join me in contributing regularly to the EA trackbed fund by purchasing further shares and sending the occasional cheque to supplement the ring-fenced “trackbed at Snapper” account.
Jim Harle, I followed your post from the latest news item for BF station. I think the success of that particular appeal was because donors had a figure they had to achieve and a set time limit to concentrate their minds. Like many people, I suspect our 1st port of call is the L&B website, we may have a quick peek here, but I’m sure I’m not the first person who has never heard of a fund to extend the rails at Snapper halt.
Maybe a bit more cooperation between EA and L&B highlighting the various fund raising efforts might bear fruit.
Maybe an article in the next Trackbed Trails explaining EA’s financial structure would raise awareness.
Not everyone will be a member of the L&B or an EA shareholder, so I’d assume anyone visiting might click on “support us” if they were looking for helping in some way.
All they will find is how to be a shareholder, minimum investment £100. Think that may be the first place to start.
Certainly do not want to frighten people off with asking for £100 minimum.
BF fundraising raised over £25k by asking for “whatever you can afford”, but essential we all had a figure that we were aiming for.
Hope that helps in giving you ideas in achieving your aims.
These are interesting thoughts, Barry, so I have alerted Tony Brown to these new comments by email. Hopefully, they will be considered by the EA Directors.
Jim, I see you are promoting Snapper track again, perhaps if you include a link back to here http://www.exmoor-associates.co.uk/2019/05/snapper-halt-track-panels/ and details of where we can send our cheques and to whom payable, we may just give this initiative a boost? Is it possible to have some sort of information panel and collecting tin at Woody Bay in support?