the French army developed a 60cm gauge light railway system for logistics support for front line troops just before WW1. General Pechot created the system which employed a range of locomotives and wagons in conjunction with Decauville.

After the war, surplus equipment was disposed of  including two Chambers & Scott travelling cranes purchased for the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway. Fitted with outriggers, they were designed to lift 3ton at 15ft radius. However, most problems on the railway could be fixed with a jack, so the two cranes were mostly confined to rail yards.

The Lynton & Barnstaple Railway opened as an independent railway in May 1898 as a single track, narrow gauge railway around 19 miles long running through the picturesque countryside of Exmoor. Although opened after the 1896 Light Railways Act came into force, it was authorized and constructed prior to that act. Consequently, it was authorized under its own Act of Parliament and built to higher standards than other railways. It was notable as being the only narrow gauge line in the UK required to use main line standard signaling. For a short period the line earned some return for shareholders, but for most of its life the L&B ran at a loss. It was taken over by Southern Railway in 1923 and closed in 1935. Today it is restored, running with its iconic locomotives and Victorian carriages.

Julius’ drawings include the crane and its well wagon.

Click on drawings to download.

For personal use only.

Although drawings reproduce well on this website, they are even better as saved downloads.

PART ONE HERE  PART TWO HERE  PART THREE HERE