Lynton and Barnstaple Railway

About

The Lynton and Barnstaple Railway (L&B) was a single track, 1 ft 11+1⁄2 in (597 mm) narrow gauge railway. It opened in May 1898 and ran for slightly more than 19 miles (31 km) through the area bordering Exmoor in North Devon, England. Although it opened after the Light Railways Act 1896 came into force, it was authorised and constructed before that act.

It was authorised under its own act of Parliament and built to higher (and more costly) standards than similar railways of the time. It was notable as the only narrow gauge railway in Britain that was required to use main-line standard signalling. For a short period, it earned a modest return for shareholders, but for most of its existence it made a loss.

In 1923, the L&B was taken over by the Southern Railway, and closed in September 1935. The Lynton and Barnstaple Railway Trust was formed in 2000; and a short section was reopened to passengers in 2004. This was extended in 2006; and the following year plans were announced to open 9 miles (14 km) of track, linking the station at Woody Bay to both Lynton (at a new terminus on an extension to the original line, closer to the town) and Blackmoor Gate, and to a new station at Wistlandpound...