| | With the closure of the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway imminent in 1935, Leslie Catchpole wrote two articles about the railway for the Southern Railway.Magazine. However it was felt that a published history would be a more enduring tribute and ensure that the line would be remembered long after its closure. In those days railway books were considered a risky venture and.only a handful had been published. As no great demand was expected only. 250 copies were printed. However, sales were such that a reprint was needed by May of the same year and the book has been almost continuously in print ever since. So why is it that.a small book about a little narrow gauge railway; now long closed, . is still in print when so.many other railway books have come an.d gone? For many if is their first introduction tp the L&B written as it is, by someone who knew the line. This little book has surely contributed to keeping the memory of the railway alive long after its closure. In. 2004 a part of the old route was reopened at Woody .Bay and now a new generation of tourists can enjoy the delights of Exmoor frorn the carriage window of a narrow gauge train. We can only wonder what Leslie Catchpole woul.d make of his seminal work still being available to those present day travellers in a refurbished L&B Station - I doubt he could have ever imagined such a thing in 1936! Since the early editions there have been small changes to the layout and certain items of interest taken out with this edition those items have been reinstated. Also included are previously unpublished photographs and others only seen in other Oakwood publications but all originating from L.T. Catchpole, Roger W. Kidner or the Oakwood archive. Leslie Catchpole who lived to be well over 80 never wrote another railway history; no other railway meant so much to him. We are confident that this new edition will appeal to those already captivated by the L&B, whilst hopefully attracting a new generation of admirers to appreciate its charms and join with those who's only aim is to see the railway reinstated to its former glory. The book is to A5 format it consists of 128 pages with 120 illustrations plus a pull-out plan of one of the Manning, Wardle 2-6-2. locomotives in original condition with details of valvegear. 2012 Reprint also has colour pull-out map. Contents
- Introduction to the Eighth Edition
- 1: First Thoughts
- 2: Construction and Opening
- 3: Equipment
- 4: The Route Described
- 5: The Early Years
- 6: Progress
- 7: The Southern Railway
- 8: The Closing and Sale
- Council Action
- Local Opinion
- App. I: Locomotive Working
- App. II: Principle Lengths of Station Trackwork, etc.
- App. III: Monthly Engine Mileage, 1924 to 1928
- App. IV: Stores Issue Book Quantities (coal and oil) 1909, 1921, 1930 to 1934
- App. V: Traffic Reports 1901-1913
Continent: Europe
Country: UK
Area: UK Devon | | Tag cloud: lynton catchpole wrote risky woody exmoor frorn woul oakwood pull-out wardle valvegear council trackwork mileage devon | Tell a friend about this publication  |
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