Woody Bay to Bridge 67

Train services began operating over the first phase of the railway in July 2004. This page demonstrates some of the work required to build that first section.

The station site at Woody Bay was acquired in early 1995 and basic restoration work on the building was all that took place over the next few years.

In August 2001 turf was scraped off the trackbed and the platform edge was reinstated...

... meanwhile the creation of a visitors car park began

The main construction of the railway started in 2002 with the base ballast going onto the formation. Track laying started that summer by hand with volunteers. The construction of the running shed (above) was a few months behind track laying, but was completed in advance of the opening to the public

The station building was completely redecorated with electricity installed for the first time. The roof was retiled and the downstairs rooms prepared for the public opening in 2003.

During the summer of 2002, tracklaying commenced on the mainline.

The trackbed to bridge 67 was mostly unobstructed except for the gap of Bridge 68 - a cattle creep. As this missing and no longer required the space was filled in.

Track laying to bridge 67 was completed by summer 2003 and the top ballast applied over the winter.

Train services commenced operating from Woody Bay to Bridge 67 in July 2004.

The next stretch of the line to be rebuilt was between Bridge 67 and Killington Lane.

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