FLYING SCOTSMAN is too big to visit Woody Bay...

...so we took the L&B to see the FLYING SCOTSMAN!

FLYING SCOTSMAN came to the Mid Hants Railway for a three week stay at the 'Watercress Line’ recently. The locomotive was based outside the engine shed at Ropley Station.

1. Ropley Station is renowned for its topiary and box hedges.

2. Flying Scotsman leaving Ropley Station.

The members of the L&BR Thames Valley Group were very fortunate to be invited to take our information stand to Ropley Station for the whole three week duration of the event. We were given a prime position in the Education Room, just at the top of the stairs.

3. The L&B stand was just at the top of the stairs

The Education Room housed a number of activities for children, such as jigsaws, colouring railway pictures and making paper models.

We had a continual stream of parents with young children, many also accompanied by grandparents. Many people without children also visited the room as it was warm and dry!

A surprisingly high percentage of our visitors knew absolutely nothing about the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway. They had come to Ropley to see FLYING SCOTSMAN, but the vast majority seemed to be fascinated and enchanted by the photos and James Bloomfield’s video of the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway. Many said they regularly holiday near Woolacombe and will certainly include a trip to Woody Bay Station during their visit to the area.

We gave everyone leaflets containing details of the L&B, Exmoor and Lynton & Lynmouth, encouraging them to spend a holiday or to have a short break in North Devon and to visit Woody Bay Station.

4. Alan Pearce (left) and Mike Pearce (right) were just two of the seven members of the Thames Valley Group who helped to man our stand.

We had members manning our stand for the twelve busiest days of the three week period. On other days (when fewer people were expected to visit the station) a notice invited people to look at the display and to help themselves to leaflets.

Thanks to Roger Beazer, Brian Johnson, John Jones, Chris King-Smith, Alan Pearce and John Pettegree for all their help on various days during our three week stay and to John Jones for taking photographs.

Thanks also to the Mid Hants Railway for their hospitality and continued support for the L&B.

Mike Pearce