The 762 Club
The 762 Club was formed in 2009 to construct, own and maintain a replacement locomotive No. E762 LYN for operation on the renascent Lynton & Barnstaple Railway.
This goal was successfully achieved in 2017 when, to much critical acclaim, LYN entered service - the L&B subsequently won the Heritage Railway Association's Morgan Award for Outstanding Achievement. LYN now operates frequently on the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway.
The resurgent Lynton & Barnstaple Railway is planning to increase the length of line and services, to reconstruct most of the original railway, linking Lynton to Barnstaple again. (See the All Aboard! campaign on the L&B Website.) The railway now has planning permission to extend across Exmoor National Park and beyond - an extra 4.5 miles - and owns a majority of the trackbed for the next phase and will be acquiring more.
As part of its growth the railway requires appropriate locomotives and rolling stock and has already rebuilt five original carriages - more are planned.
The 762 Club's next project
The 762 Club has set itself a new challenge - to eventually recreate ALL four of the Manning Wardle locomotives which operated the original railway. Commencing with YEO and EXE, whilst at the same time manufacturing specific additional components for both TAW and LEW.
The Lynton & Barnstaple Railway Trust owns the original Manning Wardle Trademark, consequently the 762 Club will use the Manning Wardle name.
The locomotives will be designed and manufactured using "known technology". We have substantial support from the team that designed and built LYD the Ffestiniog Railway's L&B new-build locomotive as well as our own experiences creating and operating LYN.
The 762 Club will now build two new locomotives which will have all the appearance of the originals in recognition of the railway's heritage.
Each locomotive is estimated to cost approx. £500,000 and will take 5 years to complete. Some of the LYD drawings will be converted to CAD to ease manufacture. Also, the patterns made for LYD are available to us.
Launch of the Manning Wardle Project at the 2018 Autumn Gala.
How Can I join the 762 Club?
To finance the construction of these new locomotives, a special sub-set of memberships of the 762 Club are available costing £750 for each locomotive. Two funds have been created: Project YEO and Project EXE. Prospective members can join either locomotive fund, or both if they so choose.
Payments can be one-off (£750 or £1500) or spread over 30 months (at £25 or £50 per month) by standing order. Payments should be made to the 762 Club which is entitled to claim Gift Aid where appropriate. In addition there will be a list of components both large and small which can be sponsored.
The 762 Club has already proved itself and will retain the same format and engagement for Project Yeo and Project Exe members. Special invitations to periodic build and commissioning events will be issued and of course to the main launch event when each locomotive is complete!
The costs of future maintenance will be covered by funding from the railway through the use of these engines.
To download an application form please click HERE
If you would like any further information, please contact Jon Pain at 26 Oaklands, Bideford. EX39 3HW or email