Be part owner of new Baldwin steam Loco!!

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At its opening in May 1898, the legendary narrow-gauge Lynton & Barnstaple Railway in North Devon was equipped with three Manning Wardle 2-6-2 tank engines. Two months later they were joined by a Baldwin2-4-2 and all four locomotives were named after three-letter Devon rivers. The Baldwin was named ‘Lyn’ but was always known by the staff as the Yankee. When the Southern Railway took over the line in 1923, they also gave LYN a number: 762.

The original LYN was ordered and delivered in a very short time by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia and worked on the line until closure. After the auction sale it was reduced to scrap very quickly with only the nameplates surviving. Despite a few teething problems, LYN was a popular and distinctive engine that was also the most powerful on the line – on occasion pulling five-coach trains, one more than normally allowed.

The 762 Club has been formed to construct, own and maintain a replacement Baldwin2-4-2 – also named LYN of course – for operation on the renascent Lynton & Barnstaple Railway. This is your chance to become a part owner of the new locomotive and to ensure that LYN is completed in as short a time as possible – less than three years!

The resurgent Lynton & Barnstaple Railway intends to increase the length of line and services, to reconstruct most of the original railway, linking Lynton to Barnstaple again. As part of this the Railway needs to obtain appropriate locomotives and rolling stock. LYN is the most suitable of the original locomotives for the line in the short to medium term, being efficient, flexible and comfortable – very necessary given the exposed location of the railway. Planning for the design and construction of the new Baldwin has been progressing steadily using original drawings and details with the inclusion of modern requirements. The intention is to complete construction by 2012 – and earlier if possible.

We are building a new locomotive which will have all the appearance of the original – in the condition that it returned from a rebuild at Eastleigh works in 1929. However, we are intending to provide an efficient, easy-to-maintain and powerful engine that is fit for very many years service in the 21st Century. So, for example, there will be roller bearings for the wheels, coupling and connecting rods, higher boiler pressure, welded tanks (with dummy rivets!) and various other improvements.

In this way, we will put the LYN back into the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway. The 762 Club will be based upon non-transferable shares in the locomotive – limited to 350 – to provide the finance required to complete the design and construction. In addition there is a list of items both large and small which can be sponsored. This will enable you to provide components and assist the project in the short construction period.

Each share costs £762.00; this can be one payment or it can be spread over 30 months. Please contact Treasurer Martin Swainson (martin.swainson@btinternet.com) for information on how to pay from North America. As part of this project, quotations have already been obtained for major items: main frames, boiler, wheels, cab, tanks. The construction costs are therefore based on realistic figures. Moreover, we have contacts with companies and individuals who can and will assist us and are keen to see our successful conclusion when LYN rides again. The costs of future maintenance will be covered by funding from the Railway for the use of the engine. Members will be given the opportunity to work on LYN both in the construction period and when it is running on the line. There will be plenty to get involved in!

If you would like any further information, please contact Peter Miles at 20 Millview Road, Tring, Hertfordshire HP23 4ER England. (tel: +1 (0)1442 826206; email: mr.petermiles@ntlworld.com).

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Go to: http://www.762club.com/762index.htm
to find out more about the project, and to see what your money will help create!!