Lynton and Barnstaple Railway Autumn Gala 29th September 2013 Coach 16 & Ffestiniog No 2 "Prince"

Video originally uploaded October 2013. Views to October 2020 21500. 97 likes 7 dislikes
New upload in higher definition October 2020
Description below as original from the perspective of September 2013 and some of the timescales mentioned changed a little in reality.
What a difference a year makes. One year since my very first visit to Woody Bay and the L&B now has three superb heritage coaches. The latest, number 16, arriving just a few days before the gala was built in only a few months by the dedicated group at the carriage workshop in Great Yeldham, Essex. Headed by Tony and David Ely, the craftsmanship in these coaches is truly stunning. The first class compartments in coach 17 are very plush with their "Lincrusta" partition and ceiling coverings. Blue velvet upholstery for non smoking, red leather for smoking. One lovely detail I overlooked during my last visit was on coach 7, the third class centre observation coach. The glass in the windows either side of the observation compartment is original 1897 and still has the L&B "smoking" sign intact!! A remarkable survival. This centre section had been used as a summer house in a North Devon garden.
The icing on the cake however was a last minute visit from our friends at the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway in North Wales. The world's oldest working narrow gauge loco, number two, "Prince" which is celebrating its own 150th anniversary this year. The loco was accompanied by the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway's General Manager, Paul Lewin, and chairman, Dr John Prideaux. He was director of Intercity during the late 1980s and co-author of the classic 1964 book on the L&B. He seemed to enjoy his tender ride on Prince.
The railway closed on the 29th September 1935 so 78 years to the day, I couldn't resist asking a group of passengers to re-enact a photograph taken on that last day, in the very same coach too! (Thanks to Steve Knight for use of his Grandfather's photo R L Knight)
Work is already underway on the next coach, number 11, an all 3rd with seven compartments, which will be ready in a year or so.
We also see the recently completed boiler for the new-build L&B "Yankee" loco No 762 "LYN". The original built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia, USA in 1898. The size of it surprised many people.... Lyn is going to be a big little engine!
Join the "762 club"....I did.... or sponsor a component at www.762club.com
(UPDATE JANUARY 2014 - Target date for completing "LYN" is DECEMBER 2015
To find out more information, join as a member or make a donation to the many different projects go to www.lynton-rail.co.uk Or maybe give your time as a volunteer, or at a working party weekend, clearing the track bed for the future extension..
I hope you enjoyed the film.... It was a 400 mile round trip from my home in Surrey and a very long day, but I enjoyed every minute!!

[@Mason58654]

Lovely video! 👍 @6:50 @18:30
Interesting to note the interchangeability of some British narrow gauge locomotives and rolling stock, like Palmerston visiting the Vale of Rheidol.