I arrived at Bodmin the day before I was due to meet a friend for a trip on the Bodmin and Wenford Railway. My wife decided to visit the town’s shops, so I wandered up to the station for a look around, as luck would have it the last train of the day was due. A 5700 Class GWR Panier Tank No.4612 approached with its train, assisted at the rear by a Class 33 diesel locomotive No.33110. I captured its arrival and subsequent shunting on video. Before I left the station I asked a friendly young lady in the main office if it would be possible to mount a tiny camera on the engine the following day, she looked at the crew roster and said she would ask on my behalf.
I turned up the following day to see our train being prepared. The lady I’d spoken to the previous day met the driver as he readied his locomotive to be couple to its train. After a short conversation I was given the thumbs up by the driver and his young fireman to mount a camera allowing me to share the unique view normally reserved for the footplate crew. The friendly welcome didn’t stop there, as my companion visiting from Australia’s Puffing Billy Railway was issued with a footplate pass. After being treated to a tour of the loco shed, we boarded the train for a trip over the line.
A ride over this line is unusual in that it involves traversing both arms of a “Y” shaped route starting at Bodmin General, first off we follow the route to Bodmin Parkway where we meet up with the Cornish mainline before returning to Bodmin General, ready for a return trip to Boscarne Junction.
This video shows a trip over the line from the locomotive, passenger and lineside perspective. For viewers who enjoy a full “Driver’s Eye” video of the entire route, I’m working on it and it should be available shortly.
The warm welcome extended to our party is typical of the welcome visitors can expect. No visit to Cornwall would be complete without a ride on the Bodmin & Wenford Railway.
For more information, please click on this link https://bodminrailway.co.uk/

Cornwall https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornwall

The track gauge is 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) and this video was filmed on 15th August 2019