Spring Gala - Photo+video-Fest!

Images from the L&B 2010 Spring Gala. 

 Tony Nicholson, Nigel Thompson, Chris Osment and Trevor Garnham have provided some pictures of the event: 

1. SID with well-filled passenger train steaming past AXE and a demonstration freight train in Saturday's Spring sunshine.  

2. AXE bringing the demonstration freight train into the down platform as SID waits to leave with the next passenger train.

3. SID and passenger train depart from Woody Bay.

 4. Michael Uphill keeping Axe immaculate.

5. Restored Original Bogie Brake Van No. 23 was displayed in the car park,  for visitors to view the photographic display boards...

6 ...providing a new viewpoint:- the cleared loading dock as SID departs.

7. AXE at Killington Lane on the demonstration goods train

8. AXE at Woody Bay on the demonstration goods train

9/10. The weather was variable - at times a light mist hung across Exmoor.

 11. AXE and SID double-heading the last train as the rain came in on Sunday.

12. A new display board informs visitors as they watch locos being coaled and watered...

13. ... and throwing out the fire at the end of the weekend. 

Away from the mainline, there was plenty else to see and do... 

14. In the main marquee many people visited the sales stands...

15. ...the fundraising raffle and an auction of various L & B paintings.

The L&B was represented in scales other than full size, with a number of models on display and in operation:

16. From Caffyns Halt...

17. ... to Lynton & Lynmouth, in 009 (4mm to 1 ft. scale), By Bob Barnard

18/19. Lynton Station is complete with working lever frame and Tyer's No 7A ETT machine to control train movements prototypically.  

20. Working on the layout since he was a teenager, Bob has modelled the complete route, including Chelfham Viaduct. Parts of his model have been running for longer than the original L&B!

21/22/23. Larger scale models operated with live steam -  Running on 32mm gauge track, these are built to a scale of around 1:19. 

Larger still, The miniature railway was particularly (but not exclusively) enjoyed by younger visitors...

 24/25. The 7.25" garden railway was operating, with Stuart Wells' one-third scale YEO locomotive, respendent in the pre-Southern era L&B livery.

26. Passengers enjoying a ride on the garden railway.

 27. Stuart Wells at the controls of YEO on Saturday.

28/29. As with the larger locos, coaling and watering is essential. 

30. YEO simmers lazily in front of diesel FORMIDABLE

Trevor Garnham has also made a number of short videos available, via YouTube:

 Look out for more photos...