BODMIN & WENFORD RAILWAY - 2012

The Railway's new two-train Lilac timetable continues for the next three weeks on Tuesdays-Thursdays. Rostered locomotives this coming week (subject to availability) are 5552 on the xx.30 departures and 30587 on the xx.50 departures from Bodmin General.

 

A quick locomotive update....

1. Available for service: 5552, 30587, 30120, plus Alfred and Judy!

2. 4247 is receiving piston repairs and should be back in service shortly.

3. Following retubing and other work, the boiler of 6435 passed its hydraulic test last week. Reassembly continues.

4. 4612 remains under overhaul at the Flour Mill.

5. Bagnall 0-4-0ST No 19 remains on hire at the Pontypool & Blaenavon. Alfred and Judy will be joining it for their September Gala.

 

Are there still plans to extend the railway towards Wadebridge? Its a great little line other than the fact it goes no where.

Note: this is not a criticism.

Stan

 

Interesting comment. In fact the BWR connects the county town of Cornwall with the Plymouth to Penzance main line. From Bodmin General a branch line to Boscarne junction connects with a major tourist attraction, the Camel Trail.

On a wider point, is it necessary for a heritage railway to go from somewhere to anywhere?

 

A heritage railway has a more authentic feel if it connects two places, apart from being less likely to be considered liable to VAT on fares. The BWR, as said above, does connect with not only a main line but also the Camel Trail.

Sadly, main line connections have not as yet resulted in any heritage railway being able to run a year round commuter service. That may be a possibility for several lines in the future, and that possibility makes such lines more attractive IMHO.

 

Possibly a daft question but the original plan for the Royal Duchy was to include a visit to the B&W but the idea was dropped - so I'm told - because the times of the Royal Duchy didn't fit with the B&W timetable. Was any thought given to modifying the B&W to fit in with the RD on the dates it runs? I would have thought that the best part of a railtour full of passengers would have boosted the B&W's passenger figures very nicely.

 

In addition to which, at the Bodmin Parkway end, you will find it is a short walk to the very popular National Trust property at Lanhydrock. There are apparently pleasant walks in Cardinham woods for ramblers which can be accessed from Coleslogget Halt, though I haven't tried that myself.

 

Last year on The Cornishman ( which was also Bristol - Par) a special train was run which was 6430 plus Autocoach. Paid in advance and seperate ticket issued. Most people decided to go to Par, and one coach went from Par went to Lost Gardens of Heligan I was told.

 

Whilst the Camel Trail is an attraction, does it attract enough for the BWR to generate a healthy income.

Whilst not necessary for a heritage railway to go from somewhere to anywhere it does help if it does as this would bring in a greater revenue....this would help pay the bills and encourage expansion.

Look at the top 5 heritage railways......they go from somewhere to somewhere.

 

Boscarne Junction is quite close to a vineyard and tea garden further up the old line towards Wadebridge in one direction and the Borough Arms pub at Dunmere in the other direction.

 

Thanks for this. I would opt for a trip in the auto coach but then again I'm a mad gricer.

 

BODMIN & WENFORD RAILWAY - 2012

Made my first trip here on Monday this week-was very impressed all round, a well presented line with a challenging gradient! Out of everything though, was most impressed by the staff. Every single person I spoke to was friendly and polite, especially the TTI who went out of his way to be helpful, and the loco crew who were brilliant. Will definitely be making a return visit...