Rail link between Barnstaple and Bideford to be restored

[whole diary]

[TerminalJunkie]

Well, sort of, anyway

http://www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk/news/Presenter-s-plan-longest-model-railway/article-1205479-detail/article.html

[signalandtelegraph]

If he has any spare lego left over from constructing the house, he could build the stations from it! 

Nice to see the licence money is being spent on something useful! 

[JayMac]

If he has any spare lego left over from constructing the house, he could build the stations from it! 

Nice to see the licence money is being spent on something useful! 

BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) mantra....'to inform, educate and entertain'. I'm looking forward to these programmes. I think Captain Slow would make an excellent Sir Topham Hatt

[Chris from Nailsea]

An update, from the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

A world record attempt is being made in Devon to recreate the Barnstaple to Bideford railway line using a massive model train track.

The attempt, involving about 400 volunteers, is being filmed for a BBC television series being hosted by Top Gear presenter James May.

The railway will be built on the Tarka^▸ (Line from Barnstaple to Exeter) Trail, which will be temporarily closed to cyclists, but open for walkers.

Devon County Council said the Tarka Trail was chosen for its scenery.

The council acquired the disused railway line in 1990 and created an off-road cycle track which runs more than 37 miles (60km) between Braunton and Meeth and now attracts more than 150,000 visitors a year.

It is hoped the 10 mile (16km) model railway will be completed by early evening.

[TerminalJunkie]

Appeared in tonight's Spotlight, about 18:20 in: http://tinyurl.com/tarkatrail-modelrailway

Don't worry, they don't give the result away!

[The Tall Controller]

They should do something similar to this only in standard gauge!

[TerminalJunkie]

They should do something similar to this only in standard gauge!

Are you offering to pay for it?

[The Tall Controller]

Sadly i dont think the contents in my wallet are enough right now! 

[Chris from Nailsea]

Perhaps unfortunately, the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) have given the game away! 

"Those who don't want to know the result should look away now":

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/8219567.stm

C. 

[Phil]

Sadly it appears this attempt has been a bit TOO realistic.

Just like on the real railways, mindless vandals have struck :

"A world record attempt by James May, the Top Gear presenter, to build the longest model railway in Devon has been derailed after thieves stole parts of the track"

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6085882/Top-Gears-James-May-sees-model-railway-world-record-attempt-derailed-by-thieves.html

[Chris from Nailsea]

Theft of track (on a rather larger scale ) is also reported by the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Gang steals disused railway track

More than 70 tonnes of disused railway track has been stolen in Lancashire.

Thieves took the track, worth ^7,500, from Long Preston where it had been cut up ready for contractors to clear, said the British Transport Police (BTP^▸ (British Transport Police)). Police believe the track was stolen sometime between 29 July and 13 August by a large gang who had "access to wagons and lifting machinery". Several sleeper carriers had also vanished along with the steel tracks when contractors arrived.

Pc Philip Critchley said: "Although the tracks had been cut, they were still in lengths of between 20 and 40 metres, so whoever took it clearly must have put a fair degree of planning into the theft. As such, even though the location is relatively rural, I am certain that someone will either have seen the theft taking place or seen the rail being transported."

Witnesses, who may have thought the thieves were legitimately removing the tracks, could have vital information, said police.