6 February 2026, ‘The Lynton & Barnstaple Railway Trust, 1979 to Date’ by Mark Bladwell.

George Newnes, the publisher, had a holiday home in Lynmouth.  He financed a narrow-gauge railway from Barnstaple to Lynton. The line opened in May 1898. In 1923 the line was taken over by the Southern Railway. However, the line was closed in September 1935.

In 1962 the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway Society was formed with the aim to reopen the 20-mile-long railway.  In 1982 the society purchased land at Cricket Field Lane, Parracombe. In the same year they purchased their first steam locomotive, originally manufactured by Kerr Stuart & Company.

In 1995 Woody Bay was bought, where some remedial work was carried out on the station building to make it waterproof. Planning permission was granted but with conditions which meant no track could be laid. In 1999 Chelfham station was purchased with surrounding land and a mile of trackbed. In 2001 the dispute was settled at Woody Bay with a group from Talyllyn helping with laying track.  In 2005 the first steam hauled train ran as well as the first open day. The Essex group helped the purchase of several coaches. In the subsequent years many improvements were made at Woody Bay and various plots of trackbed were bought when finances aloud. The line operates from Woody Bay towards Barnstaple for about a mile.

Mark illustrated his presentation with many high-quality photos.