The locomotives are mostly scratch built in nickel silver or modified Backwoods kits. They are fitted with Digitrax DZ125 chips.

Glenthorne Harbour railcars

"In 1929, a new diesel power unit was delivered to replace steam traction for summer passenger services on the Harbour Branch. This was built locally using two Gardner engines. One engine was used for each direction as the gearboxes only had one reverse gear. The unit has proved to be less than reliable and it is not unusual to find the original push pull coaches being pressed into service with a steam locomotive."

The growing popularity of the Glenthorne Harbour branch and the Lido brought considerable much welcomed traffic to the Lynton and Minehead Railway. The Glenthorne Harbour Authority found themselves extremely short of passenger capacity. Following some robust negotiations at the Tor Hotel, the GHA was able to purchase railcar 302. This was one of the first railcars delivered to the main line. Due to the stiff gradients, it was found that it was necessary to remove the first combo car from the articulated set.

Steam push/pull

"Two of the original coaches were re-used and converted to push pull configuration when a summer service was re-instated on the Harbour Branch in 1928. Lighting was required in the long tunnels of the branch. Both the loco and the coaches were fitted with acetylene generators which operated large lamps." The locomotive used will be our 4-6-0 ex WD Baldwin.

Compound Garratt

"In 1910, two 0-4-0-0-4-0 Garratt locomotives were purchased (no 4 & 5). These were developments of the compound K1 Garratts supplied to Tasmania the previous year. They were chosen to handle heavier loads up the steep winding grades from the port."

Hunslet No 1

"The Glenthorne Harbour Authority always ploughed their own furrow, ordering two 2-6-2 Hunslet locomotives which were the precursors to the successful 'Russell' delivered to North Wales in 1906. These engines, No. 1 and No. 2 were slightly more powerful than the later 'Russell'. "

2-6-4 Baldwin

"As the harbour traffic increased, it became clear that an additional locomotive was needed. In 1906, they purchased from Baldwin, USA, at very good terms, a 2-6-4 tank locomotive which became the only locomotive to carry a name; 'Ben Halliday'. Hunslet No.2 was damaged beyond repair in a serious rock fall accident when entering Glenthorne Harbour in April 1912. The Baldwin was then numbered No 2."

Kitson Meyer No 6

"The Glenthorne locomotive fleet have a very hard life and by the end of the first World War, were in quite poor condition. An opportunity to purchase a Kitson Meyer articulated locomotive presented itself. It had been left on the makers hands and was available for sale at a very attractive price. It was delivered to the railway in 1919 and was placed on the rails at Minehead. After a short commissioning by Kitson staff, it was driven to County Gate and entered service the following week. It is one of the most powerful locomotives of the whole system and is much kinder to the track than the Garratt."

Hudswell Clarke No 7

Again left on the makers hands, this powerful Mikado tender engine was delivered to the branch in 1920.

Peckett No 12

North British Pacific  No 10

Main line special charter

Very occasionally, a main line train is run to the harbour as a special. This could be hauled by a Manning Wardle or North British or even a railcar.

Kerr Stuart Mikado No 11

Delivered in 1924, the powerful locomotive was bought new from Kerr Stuart to the same design as those being delivered to Gwalior Railway in India.

Hunslet 2-8-4T No 14

This is the latest loco to be delivered new to the line.