Bodmin Heritage Railway
Whilst stopping in Cornwall, we took the opportunity to visit this delightful Heritage Railway.
We were last here in the summer of 2013 when I visited Bodmin. Here is the link for 2013 Bodmin Railway visit.
This year, we both drove up to Bodmin General from our Treyarnon campsite and made the most of a full day.
As we arrived, Loco No. 5619T is preparing for it's day's work
A JCB loads coal
GWR Tank Engine No.5619T runs around it's carriages at Bodmin Parkway.
The 5619T was built in Swindon in 1925 for work in the Welsh valleys coal field.
One of the 200 of the Class 5600, it was ideal for the job being powerful with good braking ability and with a short wheelbase, able to deal with sharp curves.
Ideal for the Bodmin and Wenford Railway!
There are just 9 locos of this class in preservation. No.5619T is painted in BR unlined green
GWR 5619T takes the gradient out from Boscarne Junction station.
See this https://youtu.be/JLhEEzPRfNE
Back at Bodmin General - classic GWR bench
A reminder of yesteryear ..., 1950's style
Our second train of the day was this delightful Autotrain, pulled by Great Western Region pannier tank engine 0-6-0 No.6435PT. Built in 1937 at Swindon works, it was one of 40 Class 64xx locos built for branch line work.
All were fitted with the necessary equipment to work an auto train- one that can be driven from the engine in the normal manner; or by remote control from the front of the leading coach when the train is being propelled by the engine.
The other (business) end of the Autotrain
A view through the Driver's position, with the driver holding the handbrake
The driver's view down the line - the regulator (controlling the steam input) is in the middle
Looking at the Driver's cabin with the driver holding the handbrake
This photo shows the regulator bar that runs from the Auto Coach to the loco
Looking down the newly renovated Autotrain carriage
Yours truly demonstrating the helpful leather ceiling hangers
The Guard shows the green flag and gets ready to jump aboard
There has been major track sleeper replacement programme.
Here the speed restriction applies to a recently worked section
A view of the discarded old sleepers
Arriving at Bodmin Parkway, a Class 43/0, No.43042, built between 1975-82 though
re-engine with a new MTU up-to-date power unit. This famous High Speed Train can regularly do 125mph. Here heading towards Bristol and then Paddington, in West London
A view out the carriage window looking up the steep gradient out of Bodmin Parkway.
With a ruling gradient of between 1:37 and 1:44, the GWR 0-6-2 4619T can probably only manage 5 coaches
At the end of the working day - 5619T takes on water
It was a great day. Here to finish is a photo of a Pulman Dining Car - based on a BR Mk1 Second Open Carriage, built in 1957 by Birmingham Carriage Works.
Painted in Chocolate and Cream, it is graced by the Pullman name and Cornish Patron Saint - St.Piran
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