Bodmin and Wenford + other Cornish lines

Geographically, Helston isn't too disconnected either.

 

Seems like 5553 might be moving to Bodmin? They have no serviceable steam loco and I can't think why else she would be there?

Bodmin and Wenford - Two Days with Visiting small prairie 5553 Tickets, Fri 31 Mar 2023 at 09:00 | Eventbrite

 

An internal notice at the BWR has announced that 5553 will be at Bodmin "for the season". Expected arrival mid Feb.

 

I'm told that 6412 has also arrived. Presumably until 5552 returns.

 

CDA Wagon appeal;

We are delighted to announce that the CDA Wagon fundraiser has made lots of progress since our last post!
With private buyers and more crowdfunding, funds have been raised to fund nearly five whole wagons. Both the National Wagon Preservation Group and Bodmin Railway are very grateful for every donation big and small.

 

Visited today 5553 in action. Pleasant railway to visit. Mind you if they didn't allow and like dogs over half of passengers wouldn't have been there !

 

30587 is back at Bodmin https://m.facebook.com/story.php?st...7z2owKgsEBy6YintqmM3UfrPJl&id=100064562804786

No further info, but they are asking for donations to cover the cost of transport from York to Bodmin.

Sent from my SM-A137F using Tapatalk

 

Initially on a 5 year loan for static display I believe. Return to steam in the medium term a possibility if agreement can be reached.

 

The B&WR have posted the following on a number of relevant Social Media pages. Sadly it sounds like money is very tight.

It is with a heavy heart that the Bodmin Railway is considering the sale of locomotive 6435. The ex GWR auto fitted pannier tank is a much loved loco by crews and very capable on our steeply graded line, but financial pressures require us to release this capital. The loco last ran in 2022 when it's boiler ticket expired. It had new tyres fitted in 2021. It is of course complete and has been dry stored since expiry of its ticket. It does require a full overhaul. It had a lot of work carried out in 2020 including a lot of Crown stays.

Only 3 of these popular locos survive, the others both being based at the South Devon Railway. Its an excellent, economical branch line engine ideally suited to almost all of the UK heritage railways.

Viewing from serious buyers is welcome by appointment through myself. We are looking for a speedy sale if possible.

We are also considering the future of our matching auto coach, class 121 bubble car, a mk1 bsk, a gw Toplight coach and a SR PMV. We won't sell all of these vehicles but will consider sensible offers on any.

 

What's a pannier worth? From the information on Companies House the last year was a financial disaster so the family silver is being sold. Better than going bust though.

 

It's a buyers market rather than a sellers market and out of ticket means not as much as it could be worth. It is a shame to hear Bodmin are not doing well. It was my first standard gauge railway visit while on holiday. I must try and get down there in the summer and I hope they can turn things around.

 

I agree, its a lovely railway, and rather unique in the sense that it's a Y-shaped line from Bodmin General.
Really hope that they can get things back on track - bit awkward that they've just taken the (out-of-ticket) Beattie on loan from the NRM but are now having to flog stock to stay afloat.

 

Another railway that is reaping the benefits of some very poor decisions by those in charge. Recovery will be a long, uncertain road.

 

JJP Holdings South West Ltd have acquired both pannier tank 6435 and auto coach. It is planned to move them both to the West Somerset Railway.

 

In some ways a strange move. Not so many years ago 6412 was sold because it was too small to be much use on the WSR.

 

Could buy a Tysley one as well and turn them into a full size "Double Fairlie"

 

Not necessarily endorsing any JJP or WSR policies when I say this, but 6412's departure does feel like a long time ago now relatively given how long it feels like it's been a South Devon engine. I know a Pannier's water capacity and the WSR's length and gradients haven't changed since then but a lot of railways' economics around engine size, timetable intensity and set length possibly have amid the challenges of the last couple of years so are there circumstances that makes a Pannier more useful to the WSR going into the late 2020s than one would've been in the 2010s? And didn't a Tyseley Pannier spend a season on the WSR recently?

That's an armchair question out of curiosity, and I understand any scepticism.

On a very, very basic level though I've also got extremely fond memories of being at the front window behind 4612 from Williton to Crowcombe at a WSR autumn gala a few years back and it being one of my favourite WSR experiences so far, so a Pannier in the home fleet again has its attractions from an entertainment point of view!

 

The Tysley pannier was a 5700 which have a bit more ooomph than the 6400 variety.

 

I remember the 57xx running out of puff at Washford......

I also remember a 'lively' run from Watchet to Minehead with 6412

What I am not so sure about though are the relative economics of big v small engines - say a 57xx V a 7F. I can understand having more 'bits' needing TLC but there is also the issue of a larger loco being more 'flexible' than a smaller one

 

I suspect the Member for Hayling Island will have a thesis on it.