I went from Biddeford to Barnstaple Junction station to do Barnstaple shed. The train was pulled by an ex LMS 2-6-0 tank loco this was early 60s passenger my carriage was a Southern Region pre grouping stock. Barnstaple shed still had a roof in those days I’ve got a B&W photo of a West Country pacific on the turntable at the shed.
Having cycled this route from Barnstaple to Bideford last week, I was interested to hear and encouraged to read that a full blown campaign to reinstate and open the rail line from Bideford to Barnstaple is gathering pace with all the local authorities supporting the plan, led by Tim Steer of the Bideford Railway Heritage Centre which has got support of the local MP's and even the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps indicating support. Lets hope this comes to fruition as Bideford is a large town with no rail link. Having seen how the success of the reopening of the Dartmoor Line to Okehampton has been, this can only bode well for this lines reopening in this remote part of Devon.
Relay the tracks there could still be a footpath for walking. I rode from Biddeford to Barnstaple Junction in early 60s and got lucky that there was a LSWR gated carriage on the train. Good video Sir Thanks
Great way to run up the national debt to 14xthousand billion pounds, 1 get rid of your infulstruct 2 elect politicians that continue doing the same, 3 learn to walk long distances as no transport exists.
