Lynton and Barnstaple - Operations and Development

I've posted this week's Heritage Herald blog now, it's here:
https://haylesabbeyhalt.blogspot.com/2026/05/surprise-visitor.html

My (personal) summary of the Chelfham meeting last Saturday is at the end.

 

Very interesting, Breva, thank you.

 

Appreciate the update, the acquisition of plot no.27 at mill lane is welcome news, as is the stated intention to close on an additional 6 parcels within 12 months, consisting of by the sounds of it, all remaining parcels back to Barnstaple, I had secretly hoped that they would be looking to consolidate one end and create a continuous run of ownership, the run to Pilton yard is relatively free of development and needs protecting, and the raleigh weir area is a lovely bit of nature. Fingers crossed the negotiations bear fruit!, I like the intention to lay track, it creates a buzz among enthusiasts that land acquisitions can never do, it’s just the PR boost and visual progress that’s needed IMO after the setbacks in other areas in recent years.

 

I don't want to pour cold water on these things, but speculation of which bits of land Mike Buse and co are targeting doesn't strike me as very helpful.

Mike's astonishing record in achieving things deemed "impossible" (most recently the Scout Camp land) speaks for itself, and I for one have complete confidence in his judgement and approach. As frustrating as it is, we should just let them get on with it - and respond positively when the next request for funds comes in. Better, don't wait to be asked, and donate here: https://yvt.org.uk/donations/

 

I agree, Bruce did say that no information was going to be released about what they are after, since they don't want a repeat of Parracombe. Personally, I thought it felt like a watershed weekend for the whole railway. Let's all be patient and see what happens

 

The railway can only obtain trackbed when and where the current owners are willing to sell it! This can take many years, or even decades, of dialogue. The recently-purchased Scout Group land, for example, resulted from discussions that began in 2003! Patience, they say, is a virtue!

 

indeed, I would say that negotiating to put an active railway through a piece of land with free roaming children was probably a particular challenge (tongue firmly in cheek), with many points of contact at the scout association coming and going since 2003, running things up and down the chain etc etc, I can’t imagine the patience it would have required to get it over the line. I don’t see any other piece of trackbed having hurdles that difficult/complicated, perhaps twitchen lane or wistlandpound.

 

Chumhill? Just past the continuously owned section?

 

Please remember what @Tobbes said above:
''speculation of which bits of land Mike Buse and co are targeting doesn't strike me as very helpful.''


I wholeheartedly endorse that.

 

I must be clear, I was not speculating. I was referring to that section as having what one could consider to be a notable hurdle.

 

That was how I read it too

 

Look, there are lots of sections that are complicated for different reasons. I don't see how it helps to say 'this bit looks complicated' on the internet - I suspect that Mike and Co already know that! If you want to help, the practical routes are get in touch with BYVRT / EA and offer your skills, send a donation, or both.

Again, here's the donation page - every little bit really does help turn the map green: https://yvt.org.uk/donations/

 

Its nice to see that yourself and others are FINALLY learning that very important lesson.

 

Pardon? Have we met?

There's all the difference in the world between the Miles led Trust's mismanagement and attempts to obfuscate inconvenient facts, and then trying to install a governance process more suited to Pyongyang than Parracombe, and what we're talking about here: commercially sensitive negotiations in the hands of those with a demonstrable track record of achievement and transparency - as apparently was the order of the day at the EA meeting last weekend.

Fortunately, with Giles Perkins in charge, change for the better seems the order of the day in the north.

 

Ooh I say!
Get to know the characters in the landscape before you make pronouncements like that.

 

I see on Facebook that Van 23's chassis is complete and it has been sent away for grit blasting and painting, before being sent over to Essex for the body to be fitted.
Does anyone know what bogies are being used?

 

The underframe and bogies have been around for quite some time. Here is an article from the L&BT website archives: https://www.lynton-rail.org.uk/trust/groups/pages/work-progress-van-23-8-ton-bogie-goods-brake-van

 

The Barnstaple & Yeo Valley Railway Trust is launching it's own occasional blog. Here is the first episode: https://yeovalleylines.blogspot.com/2026/06/welcome-welcome-to-yeo-valley-lines-new.html

 

Hey, you were a few seconds faster

 

Interesting, but.....I'm struggling to work out how to subscribe to the blog. I just keep getting references to Atom or Yahoo etc, which I don't understand