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Welcome to the Bodmin Railway Preservation Society.
How it all began
Following British Railway’s decision to close the line from Bodmin Parkway to Bodmin General and Boscarne Junction in Cornwall, Great Britain, enthusiasts got together, intent on preserving Bodmin’s railway. To do this they needed a preservation society. On 28th June 1984, at a public meeting in Bodmin, a society was formally established to re-open the Railway and run preserved steam engines: the Bodmin Railway Preservation Society. To raise share capital and run the business side, the Bodmin & Wenford Railway plc was registered on the 19th February 1985.
The big decision
Moving inNorth Cornwall District Council bought the land; but we had to buy the track! The whole line was not affordable, so after much debate at a meeting on August 9th 1985, the proposal was passed (by 1 vote!) to purchase the track from Parkway to Boscarne. The investment was a huge risk but one we had to take. Time seems to have proved us right.
We had access to the station yard and track bed from January 1986, and NCDC completed the purchase from BR on 31st March1986. This allowed us to start on track work and gave us room for our impending collection of rolling stock. We could also start opening to the public. The station buildings were a different matter: the area under the canopy had been shuttered in and was leased by a furniture company. NCDC had to agree termination of the tenancy and lease it to us. The lease was agreed and signed, giving us complete occupancy, from June 7th 1989.
The Bugle Boys
The Cornish Steam Locomotive Preservation Society (CSLPS) was formed in 1973 and operated the Bugle Steam Railway from 1977. They gathered an impressive list of rolling stock and started running in 1979. Discussions held between the CSLPS and the BRPS/B&W culminated in agreement being reached for the CSLPS to move to Bodmin in 1987, bringing with them much needed steam motive power, rolling stock and considerable expertise.
Now the fun started
We had the site and the track, so what to do next? In August 1985, Major Olver, the Railway Inspector, made an unofficial visit to the line and gave important advice and opinions on track, structures, operating, officialdom,and our future plans. A lot of re-sleepering was required – an ongoing need as sleepers rot and split with age. Rolling stock started to arrive from early 1986, the first being an AC Rail-bus (since departed) and two BR Mk1 coaches. The CSLPS stock arrived in 1987 and stock is still being bought to this day.
Open for business
Our first open day was on 1st June 1986. Locomotives and crews were provided by the CSLPS, performing a pickup goods routine at intervals during the day. The weather was dry and the day a great success. Steam-hauled brake van rides were offered for our open days in 1988. The rides were limited to the station confines as the Light Railway Order (LRO) still had to be granted. 1989 followed in similar style while the LRO was awaited to let us extend our operations.
The Big Time at last
The Order was finally
granted on 31st August 1989. The following day passenger services were
extended to one mile from Bodmin General. No19 worked the first trains.
A service to be proud of
On the 17th June 1990, the Bodmin & Wenford Railway came of age with the commencement of scheduled, timetabled daily running from Bodmin General to Bodmin Parkway. Colesloggett Halt was built and opened in 1992 and in 1996 the line to Boscarne Junction (on the Camel Trail) was fully reopened. Our service has grown over the years to include Murder Mystery specials, Footplate Experience Courses, Pasty/Bistro Specials, Santa Specials and a Luxury Dining Train – which is available for hire. Scheduled running days have increased from 100 days in 1990 to over 200 days in 2008.
For information about train services, rolling stock and more go to the Bodmin & Wenford Railway website
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The Bodmin & Wenford
Railway is maintained and operated by its' volunteers with the
support of a small staff of dedicated and very professional men and women.
They provide all the help and expertise required to enable us to be so
successful.
Every aspect of operating
and maintaining the railway is undertaken: Station duties, booking
office, shop, and buffet. Train crews, both steam and diesel,
including drivers, firemen, guards, and ticket inspectors. Permanent Way and
Signal & Telegraph work. The maintenance, repair, and restoration of
carriages, wagons, and locomotives. All these activities and more are
undertaken with the enthusiastic support and guidance of our full time
professionals. And on site we are all equal working together.
For
information on becoming a Volunteer on the
Bodmin & Wenford Railway please click
here.
What’s in it for me?
Bodmin & Wenford News
The Society’s newsletter keeps members up-to-date on The Railway’s progress, plans and other items of interest in the railway world. The magazine took on its booklet format in winter 1985, albeit only 8 pages long. This included pictures, and replaced the typed news sheets of issues 1 to 4. The picture on the cover started in winter 1988, and in 1989 the magazine increased to 3 issues a year, with more pages. In 1990 the B&W News won the ARPS Annual Magazine Newsletter Section. A colour picture appeared on the winter 1992 cover, with a view of City of Truro on our line. The magazine has grown in content and is now regularly produced in full colour over 32 A4 pages
New (or renewed) membership cards are sent out with the next available copy of the B&W News unless you enclosed a stamped addressed envelope with your subscription.
Processing of membership subscriptions can take up to 1 month. The Bodmin & Wenford Railway cannot provide information regarding membership.
If you have any other enquiry regarding your membership of the Bodmin Railway Preservation Society please or write to us giving your full name, address and membership number to:-
BRPS Membership Secretary
General Station
BODMIN
Cornwall
PL31 1AQ
Please do not telephone the Railway as they cannot help with membership enquiries
The Society has a Development Team
which is open to all members for discussion and action on various projects
for the Railway
Meetings of the Development Team are open to all.
There is an online forum where you can have your say and read the minutes
of Team meetings at
http://forum.bodminrailwaypreservationsociety.co.uk
Bodmin Railway Preservation Society, General Station, Bodmin, Cornwall, PL31 1AQ