Steam trio draw in the crowds for Exmoor steam gala

LYNTON & Barnstaple Railway’s (L&BR) September 24-25 steam gala featured new-build Manning Wardle 2-6-2T Lyd, visiting from the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway, and resident recreated locos Baldwin 2-4-2T Lyn and 0-6-0T Axe.

The trio worked an intensive operation of passenger and mixed trains. Other attractions included the 7¼in gauge miniature railway at Woody Bay, a singer entertaining people around the new cafe building and adjacent bar tent – plus a marquee with a number of stalls in the grounds of the neighbouring Moorlands Hotel.

With limited spaces at Woody Bay, parking for this event was made available in a field adjacent to Killington Lane station where visitors purchased day rover gala tickets. The arrangement appeared to work well with visitor numbers seeming excellent when The RM visited.

DAVID WILLIAMS A pair of recreated L&BR locomotives hauling a trio of recreated L&BR coaches amid the Exmoor landscape provides a testimony to what has been achieved in reviving the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway. Visiting new-build Manning Wardle 2-6-2T Lyd leads resident recreated Baldwin 2-4-2T Lyn on September 26 during a post-gala David Williams charter.