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Bodmin and Wenford + other Cornish lines

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by King of Prussia, Oct 19, 2017.

  1. Christopher125

    Christopher125 Part of the furniture

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    Did that a couple of years back on a sunny day and can't recommend it enough, fantastic views and value for money too.
     
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  2. D8568

    D8568 New Member

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    I would recommend this as well. Also, if you have the time to spare, I would suggest taking the bus from Looe to Polperro. Polperro is a tiny fishing village, it's a bit touristy but more charming and picturesque than Looe in my opinion.
     
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  3. 6960 Raveningham Hall

    6960 Raveningham Hall Member Friend

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    Another suggestion for an attraction close to Launceston. Not railway, but definitely heritage, with considerable links to steam (of the road variety).

    A couple of miles east of Launceston, just off the A30 is Dingles Fairground Heritage Centre. All undercover with loads of displays and exhibits, including several fairground rides which you can ride on. The really modern stuff is from the 1940’s but some of it is considerably older.

    There’s free parking and a good cafe and gift shop on site. If you Gift Aid your entrance fee you qualify for a free visit during the next 12 months.

    I can thoroughly recommend this - I used to be one of their volunteers.

    More info at their website: fairground-heritage.org.uk
     
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  4. mdewell

    mdewell Well-Known Member Friend

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  5. brennan

    brennan Member

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    4247 currently out for repairs and not likely to be back in use until next year, so an informant tells me.
     
  6. johnofwessex

    johnofwessex Resident of Nat Pres

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    After her WSR experience Domestic Facilities Management & Livestock (Bipedal) (9&10)headed via the Atlantic Cart Track from near Bude to the B&W

    The leaflet promised signposting however it was noticeable by its absence which was surprising we arrived to be met by a warm welcome.

    The hot drinks & cakes were good even if DFM found her sandwich disappointing. Half the bread was moist the other half dry as if it had been exposed to heat. The station is well presented.

    Coaching stock was the usual rather tired MK1's but reasonably clean. It was good to see the buffet car staff cleaning the condensation from the windows.

    A sunny day turned sodden as the Austerity, in proper WD, not Faux BR livery took us to Boscarne Junction. It was good to see a bike rack in the Guards Van.

    She ran out of puff (Just my luck with 0-6-0 tanks of various sorts) just before getting back to Bodmin General.

    A delayed departure meant anyone wanting to get the GWR service had a very tight connection.

    The climb back up to General went well, & the Austerity showed what it could do.

    Especially given that current run of anniversaries we musnt pigeon hole the Austerity as just another Industrial but remember the role they were designed for, and the important role they played in helping to put the UK back onto its feet after WW2.

    As others have said its rather an 'early days' type of line but given its rather remote location perhaps it isnt surprising.

    We all enjoyed it, & its worth a visit if you are in the area
     
  7. johnofwessex

    johnofwessex Resident of Nat Pres

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    Well, I have just finished reading the guidebook.

    Good to see that there are several pages devoted to walks from the line
     
  8. Respite

    Respite Member

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    I have only visited the line twice, both times with a rather lacklustre 4612 which in 2016 was badly offbeat. The line is steep but the locos just plod up the banks so it's not as exciting as the 1 in 38 banks promise. The pannier had 4 mark 1s on in 2016 and slipped a lot on the curve into Bodmin from Boscarne.

    The lineside was quite well maintained and the volunteers have opened up some good views. I found it a nice line to visit with my wife despite it being a day of heavy rain, the volunteers were friendly and keen to assist. We didn't think much of Bodmin if it's interesting Independant shops you want.

    Loco wise only the ex Maesteg austerity works as 4247 is out of traffic and the two panniers need repairs, with the hope being that the 64XX will be fixed soon. For some reason the austerity is limited to three mark 1s, anymore and a derv is put on the back end to push! There must be a problem with the Austerity's draughting or valve settings as it should be able to manage the loads at their speeds without problem, look at Mech Navvies at the PBR or Norman at Embsay to see what a standard austerity can do, or of course what the PBR austerity did at Maesteg.
     
  9. Breva

    Breva Well-Known Member

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    If I remember right the Austerities at the KESR took 5 up Tenterden bank, which is 1 in 50.
     
  10. John Petley

    John Petley Part of the furniture

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    They still do - regularly
     
  11. Respite

    Respite Member

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    Yes indeed and when I used to go they were standard austerities without blast pipe modifications, in fact one was Linda which worked at Maesteg like the Bodmin austerity did. I have seen one at KESR restart a five coach train from Cranbrook Road crossing with 125lb on the clock, so I don't understand why the Bodmin austerity is limited to 3. I have watched some video of it on You Tube today and it does seem to making heavy weather of it but hard to tell without being there.
     
  12. GOPOT

    GOPOT New Member

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    The Bodmin & Wenford Railway is also asking for donations to help them during this epidemic like a lot of other railways. They've set up an online donations page, with more details on their website here:

    https://bodminrailway.co.uk/all/help-us-get-back-on-track/

    Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk
     
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  13. brennan

    brennan Member

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    On a positive note the most noticeable part of the Platform 2 project, i.e. building the platform , was nearly completed before lockdown.
     
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  14. JBTEvans

    JBTEvans Well-Known Member

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    Can I ask what the thinking is behind the second platform?

    It says on the website that it would allow more frequent departures - easing congestion and peak periods for the café, shop and platform facilities..

    I always thought if running two trains, why not just run a train per branch? As each branch is similar in length/time, train times could be at a regular interval from the general, with the same times alternating between trains leaving Jcn and Parkway.

    I assume with a second platform the idea is to have both trains in the station at the same time and crossing over onto the different branchlines?
     
  15. City of truro fan

    City of truro fan Member

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    I think it would take longer to go to the mainline than boscarne junction so the train would be forced at boscarne for a very long time and it’s not very good at that end and the passengers would not come back again. If there is 2 platforms that train could go a lot more times.
     
  16. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    It's only an extra half a mile, no more than a couple of minutes or so at line-speed.
     
  17. JBTEvans

    JBTEvans Well-Known Member

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    Well trains wouldn't need to leave at the exact same times.

    At the moment on two train days one leaves general and the other arrives 10mins later.
     
  18. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    Maybe it’s useful for stabling things like dining trains, charters etc, although you could run trains down each branch this offers more flexibility.
     
  19. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    Or just making a two train service easier to manage?
     
  20. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    Yes there is that as well...
     

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