‘Major milestone’ in bid to reopen historic railway from Lynton to Barnstaple

A North Devon heritage railway has announced a major milestone in its bid to reopen the historic line between Lynton and Barnstaple after buying up more of the original trackbed.

The charity behind the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway has announced it has purchased a 718-metre section of the original railway route - which closed in 1935 - through the Collard Bridge scout campsite thanks to an agreement with the North Devon Scouts.

The Barnstaple & Yeo Valley Railway Trust (B&YVRT), which combines the assets of the Exmoor Associates and the Yeo Valley Trust, says this will link with sections of trackbed already owned by Exmoor Associates, creating a continuous stretch (subject to bridge reconstruction) between Snapper Halt and the restored Chelfham station of more than two miles.

READ NEXT: More than 2,000 flock to Chelfham Viaduct open day

The latest purchase means the railway has increased the amount of trackbed it owns by 15%.

Above: The route of the original Lynton & Barnstaple Railway trackbed near the Scout’s ground as it is today. Credit: L&BR

The narrow gauge heritage steam railway with its rugged route through Exmoor was one of the most iconic in England and carried up to 100,000 passengers a year in its heyday, but closed just 39 years after it opened in 1896.

Now based at the restored Woody Bay Station, it has become a tourist attraction and offers an approximately two-mile around trip on the track reinstated so far.

But the hope eventually is to reopen the line in its entirety between Lynton and Barnstaple, bringing in millions for the local economy.

Above: A map showing the sections of the original Lynton & Barnstaple route now owned by the railway. Credit: L&BR

A statement on behalf of the trust said the recent purchase was a ‘major milestone’ in the bid to acquire the original trackbed route south of Wistlandpound Reservoir to Barnstaple (Pilton) and ultimately the entire route.

The agreement concludes more than two-and-a-half years of detailed discussions, route design work, engineering assessment and negotiation.

An arrangement has been reached that protects the Scouts’ needs for the campsite while safeguarding the historic route corridor.

Phil Heathcote, chair of the B&YVRT, said: ““Securing this section is crucial for any future railway construction.

“The agreement also cements the cooperative partnership between B&YVRT and the North Devon Scouts, which will remain essential during future engineering, planning, and construction phases.”

Now the trust says it will begin the detailed engineering surveys needed to create the new rail route to the required standards.

READ NEXT: Global mobile game players raise more than £30,000 for Exmoor heritage railway