BODMIN & WENFORD RAILWAY

6th October 2018

 

Hi there

Bosvena a’ gas dynergh!      – Welcome to Bodmin!

We have just come back from a lovely stay with friends in Bodmin, Cornwall.

On a treat day out – we visited the local steam railway, Bodmin & Wenford Railway

where we ‘steamed back in time’ and experienced the wonderful era of steam travel…….back in the old days – station stopping for families, groups and enthusiasts of all ages, with a choice of boarding either a heritage steam train or a diesel train.

History

In May 1887 the line was opened from Bodmin Road (now Bodmin Parkway) to Bodmin General connecting Bodmin, then county town of Cornwall, with the London mainline. A second line opened in September 1888 connecting Bodmin General with the older (1834) Bodmin & Wadebridge Railway at Boscarne Junction. These two lines form the Bodmin & Wenford Railway.

In 1963, the last steam passenger services to Bodmin General ran and passenger services ended altogether on 30th January 1967.

China clay freight to Fowey from Wenfordbridge ceased in September 1983 when the line was closed. Six years later, on 21st October 1989, the first passenger trains of the preserved line, steam and diesel ran from Bodmin General to Parkway.

The railway is unusually steep, which is why you don’t hear the engines working going downhill, but you can hear them working hard coming up hill. The gain in height along both of the branchlines is about twice the height of Gilbert’s monument on the Beacon. On the website there are symbols representing the varying gradients of the line should you be interested.

Pricing and events are advertised at the station and on the website, but we found that the best value ticket was the ‘freedom of the line ticket’ for unlimited travel and freedom to hop off and back on exploring the four stations as the train ‘toot’ ‘tooted’ in. You can stay for a whole day if you choose to. The other plus for visiting this charity owned railway, Bodmin preservation society,  is that carers go free when accompanying those who need a carer – just mention this when paying on the day, should you need to, as it is not clearly visible. Disabled parking displaying a disabled badge, may park at the front of the station, although this was not clear and I had to ask the ticket lady.

There is a cafe and a shop at Bodmin General, which is the main station; your journey will take you on to ‘Colesloggett Halt’, ‘Bodmin Parkway’, ‘Boscarne Junction’ and back to ‘Bodmin General’

On route you will pass stunning scenery of the Glynn Valley, flora & fauna of Cardinham Woods, The Beacon Nature Reserve and Gilbert’s Monument to name but a few. All in all a brilliant day out and some great photos and footage.

PS. dogs are allowed to go too!

Thanks for reading

Take care

Meena

@1MeenaUK