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Exmoor Associates - Acquisition of More of the Old L&B Line

Discussion in 'Narrow Gauge Railways' started by TheEngineer, Aug 11, 2010.

  1. Sheff

    Sheff Resident of Nat Pres

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    Galdly that's not me, and I'm not angling for it either ;) I'm just another punter keen to hear more about a project with so much great potential :)
     
  2. Axe

    Axe Member

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  3. Old Kent Biker

    Old Kent Biker Member

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    Exmoor Associates & Lynton & Barnstaple Railway Trust - Joint Statement

    The Trustees of the L&BR Trust and the Directors of Exmoor Associates have each asked me to post the following statement to National Preservation. The same statement is also appearing on the two organisations' own websites:

     
  4. Breva

    Breva Well-Known Member

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    I'm delighted to read this - well done both!
     
  5. Baldwin

    Baldwin Guest

    This seems to be a well written and consistent statement, the sort that creates confidence. Good luck with the re-construction.
     
  6. TheEngineer

    TheEngineer Member

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    Merry Christmas Everybody from EA and ET

    It was amazing really, but not suprising, the last time anyone posted NEWS about EA was 6 months ago, the core organisation is still as strong as ever and looking ahead for the next opportunity.

    The latest situation is that People have been working enthusiastically on the Snapper site all year , the platform shelter renovation was finished during the summer , the layby was built up on the side of the road so that parking for 3 or 4 cars off road was practical at the halt end of the site, and a path made from the back of the layby down onto the trackbed.

    The trackbed is being fenced ready for grazing on the rest of the land as part of the ongoing management.

    No doubt there will be more interesting news shortly, on further aquisitions.


    Best Regards From all at EA I had a nice break.
     
  7. guard_jamie

    guard_jamie Part of the furniture

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    Thank you for the interesting and informative post, TheEngineer.
     
  8. TheEngineer

    TheEngineer Member

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    Good Morning Readers

    The news update for this year so far in regards to EA, is that presently there is no land being offered for sale south of Whistlandpound but as we know that could change at any moment with a phone call and most likely will, what is important is that the funds are there to act should it occur.


    EA are only active with acquiring sections of railway track bed South of Whistlandpound Reservoir toward Barnstaple and are not looking at or negotiating or intending to negotiate for anything North of the Resovior, at a recent private meeting this was reconfirmed to some representatives of the management of the L&B by the management of EA.

    The L&B Railway Trust and Company and its Exmoor Enterprise group are apparently making good progress with all aspects of what they are doing and have their plans. This has always been the impression given by them and was at the recent public meeting arranged last weekend in Croydon the case to be heard.

    EA are happy to pick up with the much longer term picture ( the one that might never happen) and still believe there is a value in acquiring sections outside of the Railways current objective, South of Whistlandpound. Many shareholders in EA support this view, at least the ones putting the money up do!.

    Its interesting that the group of supporters of EA is quite diverse, but they all have a view and this means funds come in toward this much longer term objective even though there is no specific campaign as such to buy a section right now, the funds just roll in, because the shareholders are committed to an objective.

    As with previous years many people travel to the westcountry to attend the AGM of the L&B held in Lynton, which this year is the 13th May ( next weekend ).

    To enable these visitors who are interested in the rebirth of the railway to get more from their weekend, EA is holding an update talk with debate from the floor, any questions etc and lunch as usual on the Saturday lunch time , this year the venue is Goodleigh village Hall, starting at about 10.30 AM, all welcome. after the talk, there is arranged a walk as is customary, this year it will be on a section of trackbed, certainly none of us have walked before and it is believed few people have ever walked on recently well in the last 15 years.

    No doubt a good number of EA supporters will be there to talk to having a good laugh, should any new faces amble along to see what its all about welcome!!.

    Best Regards TheEngineer.
     
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  9. lynton&barnstaple

    lynton&barnstaple Member

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    I was good to see a post telling us of the progress. I am sure that track will eventually get to Barnstaple but certainly not in my lifetime. No matter, it is good to know it is on the way and I am glad to be part of EA.
     
  10. philw2

    philw2 Member

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    Presumably then, the L & BT have their own funding for aquisitions north of the reservoir. If so, there must be funding to purchase, separately, sections of line at the same time north and south of the reservoir.

    However, if a case arises whereby a long section of trackbed appears on the market, the cost of which is beyond both parties resources, they will have to join forces in order to snap up the land..
     
  11. TheEngineer

    TheEngineer Member

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    Good Day All

    We had a good meeting at Goodleight last Saturday with nice lunch as always and a good walk after on the section south of Snapper , "Yeotown" not particularly long but well vegitated! 35 people were present at the meeting including 3 representatives trustees from the L&B who contributed to the open debate.

    An apraisal was given by the L&B spokesperson on "Exmoor Enterprise".

    I cannot comment on the way the L&B T would approach this except to say they would not allocate any funds to buy land south of the resovior as its not in their plan( should a big piece come up).

    Likewise EA are not in the market to invest north of the resovior, they already own land up there , which they would be happy to sell on to the L&B T or to lease it to them at a favourable rate, but I think the outcome of this situation which was talked about at the meeting at Goodleigh last weekend demonstrated that the L&B would not want the burden of leasing or buying land where a payment was involved, until the 11 th hour and 59th minute before operating trains over that section to generate income.

    I think shared purchase of land on new purchases is not an option. Should a section become availible , either one outfit or the other has to buy it outright, certainly to raise funds most of the EA shareolders who would be funding such a purchase would want to see that clearly that EA had possesion and were holding it until it was required.

    Hope that helps for clarity.





     
  12. Old Kent Biker

    Old Kent Biker Member

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    As I understand it, The L&BRT are working towards a number of agreements on land to the North, for use in Phase 2, and have even been donated several useful tracts in recent months.

    Shame I couldn't make the open day at Snapper (I was in Belgium at the time), however, there is a write-up, with photos, on the EA website:

    New Snapper Name Board « Exmoor Associates
     

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