CHILDREN of both sexes adore visiting the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway at Woody Bay Station.

The fun family attraction on the A39 between Lynton and Parracombe gives them the chance to get up close and personal with the railway's resident steam engines, Axe and Sid, as they stand at the station platform steaming gently.

ON TRACK: Above, and above left, steam engines at Woody Bay Station attending a previous Lynton and Barnstaple Railway gala event.
Autumn Steam Gala at Woody Bay Station.
ALL ABOARD: Right, visitors — young and old — enjoy a ride at a previous gala event.
TICKETS PLEASE: Assistant Guard David Horsfall checks the tickets.

Families love posing for their photo with the train crew. Then it's all aboard for a two-mile round trip nearly 1,000ft up across Exmoor with glorious views down the Heddon Valley, over the sea to South Wales on a clear day.

And on this particular railway the rails are only 2ft apart, compared with the standard gauge of 4ft 8½in, which means the trains are also smaller and on a more human scale. Even small children obviously feel totally at ease with them.

The last weekend in September, however, will be a very special occasion for the railway. Exactly 75 years ago, on Sunday, September, 29, 1935, the last train ran from Lynton to Barnstaple in the gathering darkness and it seemed to be all over for the "toy railway", as the locals affectionately called it. Residents and visitors alike missed the little train, which was Lynton's lifeline to the outside world.

But now the legendary railway is back.

Already a mile of track has been reopened and the charitable Trust who own the line have grand plans for the future.

The highlight of the railway's Autumn Gala on Saturday, September 25 to Monday, September 27 will be the first visit of a just-completed modern replica of one of the old line's handsome tank engines. All of the original locomotives — named like Axe and Sid today after three-letter Devon rivers — were cut up for scrap when the railway closed and only one engine, built only 10 years earlier, survived the cutter's torch. Called Lew, it was used to lift the redundant rail and then shipped to Brazil where it disappeared from history into legend.

The new engine, christened Lyd, was built in North Wales and this will be its first visit to North Devon.

Enthusiasts from all over the world will flock to Woody Bay to see — and hear — a Lynton and Barnstaple Railway locomotive hard at work where it belongs.

There will be plenty for everyone to enjoy at the Autumn Gala, including a children's entertainer, face painting and model railways. The delightful traditional tea-rooms in the beautifully-restored station building will be open, along with real ale, a hog roast and a barbecue in the station garden.

Only disabled parking will be available at Woody Bay Station itself on the Saturday and Sunday, when park-and-ride services will run from Caffyns and Blackmoor Gate.

Lyd will be in action on the Monday as well and then parking will be possible at the station itself. Gala entry tickets will cover the park-and-ride, admission to the station site and all-day travel on the ordinary trains (subject to capacity), but travel on the Lyd train will require an additional special ticket.

As places on the Lyd train are limited, advance booking to travel on it is advisable. Booking forms are available at Woody Bay Station and the Railway's Barnstaple shop at 5 Cross Street and can also be downloaded from the Railway's website at www.lynton-rail.co.uk/lyd

The Lynton and Barnstaple Railway is giving three lucky readers the chance to win a family ticket (two adults and up to three children) to one of the gala days.

To be in with a chance of winning, answer A, B or C to the question here: What is the name of the new steam engine that will be visiting North Devon for the first time?

A) Lyd

B) Axe

C) Syd

To enter simply text: DC TRAIN followed by a space, your answer and postcode to 65100 (e.g. DC Train A EX31 3TL). Or send your answer on a post card to the following address: Train Comp, North Devon Journal, Avery House, Liberty Road, Barnstaple, North Devon, EX31 3TL.

Texts cost 50p plus your standard network charge. Text lines close at 11.59pm on Wednesday, September 15. Postal entries must be received by Thursday, September 16. Three prizes are available and the winner will be chosen from all correct entries, they will be announced in our Thursday, September 23 edition.

● Turn to the Weekly Essay on page 41 to find out more about the history of the railway.