The Lynton and Barnstaple Railway Trust, along with the 762 Club Ltd, has announced its next project… to build steam locomotives ‘Yeo’ and ‘Exe’.

A number of years ago, the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway begun work of ‘Yeo’. This locomotive is a Manning Wardle type that ran on the railway from 1898 until 1935. This project, however, was put on hold whilst the construction of Lyd was completed at the Ffestiniog Railway.

With Planning Permissions in place, it is now the time to progress on the construction of new locomotives for the extended Lynton and Barnstaple Railway. Construction of both locomotives will take around 5 years.

The name ‘Manning Wardle’ is now owned by the L&BR Trust. This will mean that the locomotives will be 2048 and 2049

Yeo and Exe will not be replicas, just new locomotives. The design will be close to that found on ‘Lyd’ with various improvements over the locomotives built in the 19th century.

YEO’ is to be built in North Derbyshire, with ‘EXE’ being built at Boston Lodge Works at the Ffestiniog Railway. Construction will start soon, once the CAD drawings are prepared, and funds begin to add up.

Full drawings and pattern equipment have been made available thanks to James Evans and the Ffestiniog Railway.

Both sets of name and SR numberplates are being sponsored by ‘Steam Railway’  magazine. These have been ordered for delivery in September. The original chimney from ‘Yeo’ has been donated to the project. The railway also have an original Manning Wardle pressure gauge restored and ready for use.

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