Restoring a DJB Lynton & Barnstaple Exe
Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2025 9:58 pm
Hi all,
This is my first post so here goes!
I recently had a 16mm Lynton & Barnstaple loco handed down to me. I had only laid eyes on it a couple of times previously on childhood holidays down to the South of France where my Great Uncle, the previous owner, lived. He had grand plans for a line in the field behind the converted farmhouse they were renovating, and in small garage/barn was a veritable treasure trove of kits, partially built rolling stock and other bits and bobs in both 16mm and O gauge. If I asked nicely he would bring out the prized possession, his 16mm L&B loco and we had an, albeit feeble, attempt at cleaning it one afternoon. It is him I have to thank for introducing me to large scale modelling and encouraging me to pursue photography, kit building and for passing the garden railway bug on.
Fast forward to late last year and a decline in their health forced them to sell up and move back to the UK. The one thing that had survived the move was the thing I never thought would come into my possession and I am eternally grateful I was thought of. And so I find myself with an inroad into 16mm modelling!
With the warm welcome and encouragement of the lovely folks at the West Wiltshire SME, I recently got in touch with Paul Bailey at DJB Engineering who confirmed it was one of his father's builds from between the early 1990s and early 2000s. I aim to document this unexpected journey, in part that I hope it will be interesting to others, but mainly so that I can get as much insight as possible from those who have far more experience in such matters than I, which is not very much!
The following photos are taken at the WWSME track, probably the first time it has been on rails in over 20 years, and it is still in the same condition as it was when it came to me (believe it or not the wheels still turn freely). Here's to one day seeing it run again!
This is my first post so here goes!
I recently had a 16mm Lynton & Barnstaple loco handed down to me. I had only laid eyes on it a couple of times previously on childhood holidays down to the South of France where my Great Uncle, the previous owner, lived. He had grand plans for a line in the field behind the converted farmhouse they were renovating, and in small garage/barn was a veritable treasure trove of kits, partially built rolling stock and other bits and bobs in both 16mm and O gauge. If I asked nicely he would bring out the prized possession, his 16mm L&B loco and we had an, albeit feeble, attempt at cleaning it one afternoon. It is him I have to thank for introducing me to large scale modelling and encouraging me to pursue photography, kit building and for passing the garden railway bug on.
Fast forward to late last year and a decline in their health forced them to sell up and move back to the UK. The one thing that had survived the move was the thing I never thought would come into my possession and I am eternally grateful I was thought of. And so I find myself with an inroad into 16mm modelling!
With the warm welcome and encouragement of the lovely folks at the West Wiltshire SME, I recently got in touch with Paul Bailey at DJB Engineering who confirmed it was one of his father's builds from between the early 1990s and early 2000s. I aim to document this unexpected journey, in part that I hope it will be interesting to others, but mainly so that I can get as much insight as possible from those who have far more experience in such matters than I, which is not very much!
The following photos are taken at the WWSME track, probably the first time it has been on rails in over 20 years, and it is still in the same condition as it was when it came to me (believe it or not the wheels still turn freely). Here's to one day seeing it run again!
- IMG_2960.jpeg (3.52 MiB) Viewed 48921 times
- IMG_2961 copy.jpeg (3.4 MiB) Viewed 48921 times
- IMG_2963.jpeg (2.82 MiB) Viewed 48921 times
