Rebuilding the Legendary Lynton & Barnstaple Railway

Having an instantly recognisable identity, In the midst of outstanding countryside, characterful towns and delightful villages, with park and ride potential, there are many benefits that the revival of this historic railway could bring not only to this part of England but to the greater Exmoor area, the Westcountry and beyond.

Putting this railway back together was never going to be easy, which is why it has taken so long, for no other railway was dismantled in such a complete fashion with its trackbed sold off in lots making it almost impossible to put it all back together. However, supporters of the L&B have shown time and again that not only are they determined and single minded, but that they also don't give up or give in! It took several years of hard work and some difficult negotiations just to put back the short railway you see today, but having come this far, our intention is to continue with rebuilding the railway until once again it runs all the way from Lynton to Barnstaple.

Exmoor Enterprise

Created in 2007 by the L&B Trust this  is essentially a team assembled to manage the project to rebuild the railway. Currently comprised of L&B Trustees, Railway Company Directors and specialists in various fields, anyone with the necessary skills and time is co-opted as required.

Members of the Exmoor Enterprise team have addressed public meetings, met several landowners and other interested parties and done much to publicise the scheme to recreate the railway from Wistlandpound to Lynton.

In addition discussions have been held with Exmoor National Park - our planning authority and North Devon planners. Planning has now been acheived for the Killington Lane to Wistlandpound section.

More importantly we are seeking a Transport and Works Act Order to give us the required powers to rebuild and operate the railway.

Click HERE  to see maps and read more about our plans to extend

What appears to be impossible will happen - from the Tallylyn to the Welsh Highland Railway, others have already shown us that where there is a will, there is a way.

Interestingly, the revival of the long-thought lost L&B has inspired a new generation to consider undertaking the revival of other lines thought to be impossible, including the Southwold and Ashover Railways and the Glyn Valley Tramway - we wish them all well.