Snapper Secrets Unearthed

posted by Martyn de Young on Sun, 10/11/2013 - 19:57

Volunteers at Exmoor Associates' Working Party this weekend have unearthed what appear to be original L&B artefacts, despite the site having been visited by L&B members and supporters over many years - particularly since the land was purchased by EA in 2010 - and them having lain there undisturbed, probably since at least the 1960s.

Andrew Hearn was clearing the bank close to Bridge 15, to improve the drainage. He said "At first I thought it was the end of a cast pipe the drain should have been joined up to, then I noticed the octagonal end cap, After getting it onto the trackbed, Barry suggested that it could be a steam heating radiator."

Surrey Group Chairman Barry Marshall was on hand to take these pictures:

1. Compared to the drawings in Stephen Phillips' book, (pp 30-31 & 48) this looks very much like a steam heat radiator, as fitted into several of the L&B coaches by the Southern Railway in 1932

2-3. Andrew discovered the items as he was clearing a drainage channel. Could these have been dumped by the Ffestiniog Team when they recovered Coach 6993 in 1959 ... or had they been put there earlier?.
4-5. Two other potential L&B artefacts were recovered from the same place. Is this one of the vacuum brake or steam heating connector uprights?

6. A steam heating radiator from L&B Coach 15/6993?
7. Could this be an L&B axle bearing? Part of the braking mechanism? Any ideas, please let us know!