Visiting the Bodmin and Wenford Railway

[alexl92]

Hi,

I'll be visiting Cornwall soon. I'd like to spend half a day having a ride and a nosey around a steam railway whilst I'm there; am I correct in thinking that the Bodmin line is the only heritage standard gauge railway in Cornwall?

I have been on that line about 10 years ago; has it been extended since?

Cheers.

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

The Bodmin and Wenford Rly has not extended beyond Boscarne Jct unfortunately, and it faces a long and difficult struggle to get to Wadebridge in the face of strong opposition from NIMBYs and users of the Camel Trail cycle-way. The other standard-gauge preserved line in Cornwall is the Helston Railway, who have had their own struggles, but have now won on appeal plans to develop their base at Prospidnick. The line is currently being extended to Truthall Platform. Trips consist of a Ruston and Hornsby shunter and brake-van , but they are a great bunch of volunteers and the line has tremendous potential. Next month a Peckett steam locomotive arrives - ex Hilsea Gas Works, Portsmouth.

http://www.gwrpg.co.uk/2016/08/peckett-william-murdoch-now-on-hire-to-the-helston-railway-preservation-society-cornwall/

 

[richw]

There is also launceston narrow Gauge, but Bodmin is still the best in the area.

 

[Crawley Ben]

Lappa Valley Railway is also in Cornwall (Nr Newquay) 15 inch gauge. May not be of interest to you, but thought it might be worth mentioning anyway.

Thanks

Ben

 

[rower40]

The Bodmin line hasn't been extended, but now has a working signalbox allowing two trains to be operated at the same time. The signalman may let you watch from the box's balcony - try not to disturb him during the "run-round" that occurs after each arrival at Bodmin General.
Check their website for which timetable is in operation - during the off-peak, and at weekends, it's usually only one train in operation. The 'green' and 'lilac' timetables have two trains. And, on weekdays, there's sometimes some shunting in the station going on.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

There used to be a model railway exhibition layout at Mevagissy (know I've spelt that wrong) and I think there might have been one at St Ives. No idea if either is still there

 

[alexl92]

Has anyone been recently? I'm confused by some of the info on the website.

According to the timetable, the round trip takes 45-50 minutes, from Bodmin General to Bodmin General. However, on the website, it also says to allow at least 2 hours - is that to allow time to wander around the stations?

Also, the timetable seems to show different stopping patterns, and the website also says:

The Bodmin & Wenford is among a few heritage railways to include a junction terminus. Bodmin General is the point at which all trains reverse and from here passengers may travel to Boscarne Junction for the Camel Trail, Bodmin Parkway for main line connections or a walk to Lanhydrock House or remain on the train for a round trip of the line.

.

I'm a little confused about what the pattern of the trip is - can you do a a round trip to all stations or do separate trains go to Boscarne and Bodmin Parkway (is Parkway even part of the heritage line?) Last time I rode we went from Bodmin General but I cannot remember what we did or how long we were there as it was a good 10+ years ago.

If anyone can explain this I'd be grateful!

 

[richw]

Last time I went there was a Boscarne service we rode, when we got back to Bodmin general we had about a 15-20 min wait for a service that ran to parkway and back. I would say 2 hours in total sounds about right if you do both Boscarne and parkway

 

[alexl92]

Last time I went there was a Boscarne service we rode, when we got back to Bodmin general we had about a 15-20 min wait for a service that ran to parkway and back. I would say 2 hours in total sounds about right if you do both Boscarne and parkway

So is it a V-shaped line where General is in the middle, with Parkway at one end of the V and Boscarne at the other? Is it through services or is it one train to each?

 

[richw]

So is it a V-shaped line where General is in the middle, with Parkway at one end of the V and Boscarne at the other? Is it through services or is it one train to each?

Correct it's a V shape or Y shape. It was a through train but we had to get off whilst it ran round at General. Great for a photo or two

 

[Cowley]

Great 1 in 37 climb from Parkway to General too. Bodmin General is a nice station, nice cafe etc. Parkway has a nice cafe too. Not much at Boscarne apart from the Camel trail.

 

[Sleepy]

There used to be a model railway exhibition layout at Mevagissy (know I've spelt that wrong) and I think there might have been one at St Ives. No idea if either is still there

:cry: The one at St Ives closed a good number of years ago.

 

[richw]

There used to be a model railway exhibition layout at Mevagissy (know I've spelt that wrong) and I think there might have been one at St Ives. No idea if either is still there

Trago at Newton Abbot has the best model railway I recall having seen.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Does the model railway exhibition still exist in Exmouth? If it does that might be worth a visit for the OP?

 

[rower40]

Correct it's a V shape or Y shape. It was a through train but we had to get off whilst it ran round at General. Great for a photo or two

You don't have to get off. Dispensation has been granted for the train to be propelled out of the station with passengers aboard, while the run-round takes place. One or two coaches will still be in the platform while the engine is running round, so you can get on/off once you've walked through the train. Just don't do it while the train is moving.

In the Green and Lilac timetables, the Autocoach (Green) or DMU (Lilac) operates one service from Bodmin Parkway to Boscarne and one vice versa that does not stop in the platform at Bodmin General, because it's occupied by the other train. So be prepared for a long-ish trip. (Especially because the Autocoach has no catering or toilet.)

 

[alexl92]

Thanks all. Visited today and had a lovely time. Really helpful to know the line was Y-shaped as it's not necessarily clear to a first-timer.