The Bodmin & Wenford Railways Autumn Steam Gala saw a collection of great western tank engines running to an intensive timetable over the weekend. 2 guest engines were brought to the railway which ran alongside 2 resident engines.

Locomotives in service –
|GWR 64xx Class 060PT No 6412 (visiting from the South Devon Railway)
|GWR 56xx Class 062T No 5619 (on loan for the summer season after overhaul at the Flour Mill)
|GWR 64xx Class 060PT No 6435
|GWR 42xx Class 280T No 4247

With some stunning weather conditions and great performances by the engines, it was a fantastic event for any fan of great western tank engines. Highlights from the gala include the double heading of the 2 64xx pannier tanks and both 5619 and 4247 featuring on goods trains. As you may have noticed from the video, I now have a lineside pass for the railway.

Shots featured in the video –
4247 rounds the sharp curve outside Bodmin General with the goods train
5619 nears the top of the climb to Bodmin General with a service from Bodmin Parkway
6412 & 6435 are seen at Westheath with a service for Bodmin General (if you look closely at the ground near the track you can see the start of a small lineside fire which was put out promptly when the train had passed)
4247 climbs away from Parkway with the goods train seen at Charlies Gate
4247 takes on water at Bodmin General after arriving with the goods train
5619 arrives into Bodmin General with a train from Boscarne Junction
6412 & 6435 are seen at Charlies Gate with a train for Bodmin General
5619 storms pass Westheath with the goods train
6412 & 6435 banked by 4247 climb towards Colesloggett with a train for Bodmin General
5619 makes a noisy get away from Boscarne Junction with the final train of the day