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Great Western Coffee Shop > Journey by Journey > Shorter journeys in Devon - Central, North and South > Rail link between Barnstaple and Bideford to be restored
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Author Topic: Rail link between Barnstaple and Bideford to be restored  (Read 10276 times)
TerminalJunkie
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« on: July 30, 2009, 11:10:49 »
Well, sort of, anyway Smiley

http://www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk/news/Presenter-s-plan-longest-model-railway/article-1205479-detail/article.html
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signalandtelegraph
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« Reply #1 on: August 03, 2009, 11:26:48 »
If he has any spare lego left over from constructing the house, he could build the stations from it!  Roll Eyes

Nice to see the licence money is being spent on something useful!  Cry
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JayMac
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« Reply #2 on: August 03, 2009, 15:10:50 »
Quote from: signalandtelegraph on August 03, 2009, 11:26:48
If he has any spare lego left over from constructing the house, he could build the stations from it!  Roll Eyes

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

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 Grin
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #3 on: August 24, 2009, 22:49:46 »
An update, from the BBC» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

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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▸ (Branch 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.
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William Huskisson MP▸ (Member of Parliament, or Mile Post (a method of measuring the railway in miles and chains from a starting point - usually London), depending on context) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: Stop, Look, Listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
TerminalJunkie
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« Reply #4 on: August 24, 2009, 23:09:56 »
Appeared in tonight's Spotlight, about 18:20 in: http://tinyurl.com/tarkatrail-modelrailway

Don't worry, they don't give the result away!
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The Tall Controller
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« Reply #5 on: August 25, 2009, 00:40:30 »
They should do something similar to this only in standard gauge!
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TerminalJunkie
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« Reply #6 on: August 25, 2009, 02:39:02 »
Quote from: Rob T on August 25, 2009, 00:40:30
They should do something similar to this only in standard gauge!

Are you offering to pay for it?
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The Tall Controller
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« Reply #7 on: August 25, 2009, 10:45:55 »
Sadly i dont think the contents in my wallet are enough right now!  Wink
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #8 on: August 25, 2009, 13:41:00 »
Perhaps unfortunately, the BBC» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) have given the game away!  Roll Eyes

"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.  Wink Cheesy Grin
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William Huskisson MP▸ (Member of Parliament, or Mile Post (a method of measuring the railway in miles and chains from a starting point - usually London), depending on context) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: Stop, Look, Listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
Phil
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« Reply #9 on: August 25, 2009, 13:41:15 »
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
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #10 on: August 25, 2009, 16:31:49 »
Theft of track (on a rather larger scale Roll Eyes ) is also reported by the BBC» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

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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.
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William Huskisson MP▸ (Member of Parliament, or Mile Post (a method of measuring the railway in miles and chains from a starting point - usually London), depending on context) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: Stop, Look, Listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
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