Lynton & Barnstaple Railway Autumn Gala 2019 LYD Becomes LEW & Coach 5 Enters Service

Once again, we were pleased to welcome to her spiritual home, the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway's locomotive LYD. After unloading, she was transformed into the loco she is a replica of, LEW. When the Southern Railway took ownership of the L&B in 1923, they embarked on an extensive improvement programme for the line. Track replacement, new freight rolling stock and even a new fifth locomotive, LEW. Built, as the originals, by Manning Wardle & Co of Leeds, essentially to the same 1897 design of the original three locos. YEO, EXE & TAW. It's seen as testament to their modern design of the time that the Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Southern Railway was satisfied to continue with it almost thirty years later. LEW was delivered in July 1925 so was just ten years old when the railway closed on Sunday 29th September 1935, hauling the last train with sister YEO, the first loco to be delivered. Nine coaches packed with more people than had ever been carried on one train. LEW escaped the scrapper's blowtorch unlike her unfortunate stable mates and was used for the demolition train during 1936 to recover the track. In September, she was transported by rail to Swansea Docks and loaded onto the SS Sabor along with 80 tons of recovered rail which set sail for Brazil. Her supposed use was on a plantation, but as is it turned out, she sailed into one of the greatest railway legends and mysteries of all time. Lost port records during WW2, and a general lack of conclusive evidence mean her fate has never been truly discovered despite determined efforts and some tantalising clues. A full account and some interesting photos of her story can be found here. Copy and paste the links below, it's about as much information on the subject that exists I should think.

www.lynton-rail.org.uk/page/mystery-lew

www.lynton-rail.org.uk/files/pdfs/IRR_No.204_March_2011_pages_97-101_LEW_Moves_to_Brazil_Dave_Took.pdf

LYD, just as with LEW, has now been in service for 10 years and is just about to go for a major overhaul and recertification.

We are also building more of our own L&B locos. New-builds of YEO and EXE. A project launched in September 2018. More information or to contribute at www762club.com

This weekend also saw the arrival of our fifth heritage coach, appropriately number five. Four third class compartments and two sumptuous first class finished in blue upholstery for the 'non-smoker' and burgundy red leather for the 'smoker'. Another stunning piece of craftsmanship by our team at the carriage workshop near Colchester in Essex. They're busy restoring Van 23, a goods brake van, at the moment and making a start on coach number 1 which will be magnificent. A first class observation saloon and twin sister to coach 2, the only complete surviving carriage of the 17 which ran on the line. It's on display in unrestored condition at the National Railway Museum, York. Coach 15 also survives as heavily rebuilt coach 14 on the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway, 'The Snapper Bar'. A name inspired by the location it was recovered from in 1959. It had been standing on a short stretch of track just north of Snapper Halt for almost 25 years. Coach 1 stood similarly at Snapper Halt and gradually disintegrated before being burned in the 1960s.
Please consider making a donation to the 'Heritage Carriage Project' via the website www.lynton-rail.co.uk.
Here're some more details about the building of coach 5 from David Ely, our Master Craftsman at the carriage workshop.
"Two original doors at the Barnstaple end, parts of the centre dividing wall between the 1st class compartments and two lamp bung holders and tops, again at the Barnstaple end.
The pitch pine used for the seats, roof, floor and wall panelling was all recovered from St. Matthew's Church in Ipswich being in the church for 150+ years as pews and floor boards."