If any railway knows how to hold a gala properly, it is the Bodmin and Wenford Railway.

Following the tremendous success of a previous China Clay film, it seemed only fitting to make a short trip to the Bodmin & Wenford Railway, for their annual China Clay Gala. A lot was happening; home Prairie 5552 returned to service, running with sister & visiting Prairie No. 5553, Class 47 no. 47306 ‘The Sapper’ thrashed up the gradients making all the right sounds, a Class 08 shunter was doing the occasional freight train, and Bagnall Saddle tank, “Judy” took charge of the brake van rides. I also caught her secret trip to Bodmin Parkway in the evening. I visited on the Saturday, For a railway of its size, they know how to hold a Gala weekend. It gives larger, maybe more recognisable railways a run for their money. I'll be back next month to cover their endofseason gala. On this sunny Cornish weekend, shots were taken at:

00:00 China Clay Gala
00:10 5553 with China Clay train
00:56 Class 47 roars past Charlies Gate
01:32 5552 & 5553 top and tail at Colesloggett Halt
03:17 Class 08 with the clays
04:48 Double Header 5552 & 5553 for Bodmin General
05:53 Double header arrives into Bodmin
06:12 Class 47 flies alongside Crabtree Footpath
06:57 5552 climbs through Colesloggett
08:03 Class 08 with the clays returns to Bodmin General
09:19 Bodmin General & 5552 arrival
11:09 Class 47 China Clay train & shunter
12:34 5553 leaves for Bodmin Parkway
14:28 Judy with the brake van rides
17:33 5552 back in service
18:18 5553 arrives into Bodmin General
20:01 5552 & 5553 top and tail past Crabtree lane
21:17 Top and tail prairies near Boscarne
22:21 5553 descends to Bodmin Parkway
22:51 5553 roars out of Bodmin Parkway
23:42 The final train of the evening?
24:16 Judy's secret trip to Bodmin Parkway
26:34 Judy passes Charlies' Gate heading downhill
28:20 Judy heads back to Bodmin

I hope you enjoy watching this. If you did, please like, comment and subscribe, it really is rather flattering.

Find a southwest railtour calendar, along with a heritage gala calendar and my best photos at:
https://www.trecanrail.com/

@steamtothewesttrecanrail

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Disclaimer: There was no trespassing used in the making of this film, all shots were taken on roads, or footpaths.