Small works Simplex diesel loco TITCH to leave the L&B.

TITCH, a 1941 built Simplex Motor-rail (works no. 8729) 4wDM 20HP diesel locomotive, will soon be leaving the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway at Woody Bay.  Privately owned by two Essex based L & B members the loco has recently been sold and will be leaving soon.

An L&B loco since 1994, TITCH was first used in the construction and maintenance of the Lynbarn fundraising railway at the Milky Way Adventure Park near Clovelly, North Devon. Transferred to Woody Bay in 2003 it was then used on the first tracklaying and ballasting trains as the line progressed down hill to Bridge 67.

In early 2006 TITCH was temporarily transferred to Killington Lane when tracklaying commenced from there to link up with the then operating line at Bridge 67.

After completion of the "link up" in April 2006, TITCH was the first locomotive to traverse the whole line from Killington Lane to Woody Bay.  The loco was then used on a variety of maintenance duties including hauling coal wagons from the car park to the shed and also the small flat wagons when recovering short rails from along the line.
 

Although not easy to start, TITCH was easy to drive, with a clutch pedal, two forward-reverse gears and the throttle. With skilled and experienced driving the wheeled handbrake was just sufficient to stop the smaller Hudson 4 wheel flats and skip wagons used during the construction of the railway from 2003 to 2006.  A horn and two sanding pipes being fitted to assist with operations.

With the greater use of 'larger' ex MOD wagons for works train movements TITCH  having neither electric start or air braking is considered unsuitable for use on current L & B operations.  So in the last few years TITCH was confined to very occasional movements, and was largely kept in store at the buffers on the headshunt siding - where it was still visible for photography.

The railway needs to comply with safe working practises combined with a professional image as performed by the competent operating staff and volunteers who are now driving our Hunslet diesel HEDDON HALL and the two resident steam locos AXE and SID.  

However, it should not be forgotten, that for many years, it was TITCH that provided many of us with our first opportunity to learn how to drive a diesel loco on the L & B - and by so doing, provided valuable driver experience.
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Nigel Thompson