Bodmin and Wenford Railway

Om museet

The line between Bodmin and Wadebridge opened in 1834 and was among the first railways to use steam locomotives. The branch from Bodmin Road, now Bodmin Parkway, to Bodmin General opened in 1887, and the connection on to Boscarne Junction followed in 1888. Steam-hauled passenger trains ended in 1963 and all passenger services between Padstow and Bodmin Road were withdrawn in 1967. Freight continued for some years, and the route towards Wenfordbridge, kept open by china clay traffic, closed completely in 1983.

The Bodmin Railway Preservation Society was formed in 1984 and set up a company to raise money to buy the line between Bodmin Parkway and Boscarne Junction. The first open day took place on 1 June 1986 with shunting demonstrations at Bodmin General. Passenger services between Bodmin Parkway and Bodmin General were restored in 1990, and the line was extended to Boscarne Junction in 1996.

Today the railway runs mainly steam trains, with some heritage diesel services, over about 6.5 miles of steeply graded track. The fleet is small and varied and includes GWR tank engines, small industrial saddle tanks linked to the china clay industry, and a range of diesel locomotives from the 1950s and 1960s, such as a Class 50, a Class 47 and a Bubble car. A loan locomotive from the National Railway Museum, an 1874 Beattie well tank, is also part of the collection on site.

Højdepunkter

• Steam trains between Bodmin Parkway, Bodmin General and Boscarne Junction
• GWR small prairie tank No. 5552 and pannier tank No. 4612
• China clay saddle tanks Judy and Alfred
• Diesel heritage fleet including Class 50, Class 47 and the Bubble car
• Gala weekends, Cream Tea Trains and Christmas trains

Permanent udstilling

• Heritage locomotive fleet – Steam and diesel locomotives from the 1930s to the 1960s, including GWR tank engines, china clay saddle tanks and diesel classes 50, 47, 37 and 08, with a loan engine from the National Railway Museum.

Entrépriser & rabatter

Fares for 2026 are per journey: single (one way to Bodmin Parkway or Boscarne Junction), return and circular. All-line tickets can be booked online up to 24 hours before travel; single-branch and one-way tickets are bought on the day at the booking office. Booking in advance is encouraged because seats are allocated. Event trains must be booked in advance.

Tilgængelighed

• Delvis kørestolsvenlig
• Elevator: ingen oplysninger
• Handicaptoilet
• Handicapparkering
• Servicehunde tilladt
• Taktile tilbud: ingen oplysninger
• Rundvisninger på tegnsprog: ingen oplysninger
• Letlæste tilbud: ingen oplysninger
• Synstolkning: ingen oplysninger

Bodmin General has level access from the forecourt to the platform, an accessible toilet on the platform and Blue Badge spaces in front of the station. Each train has two wheelchair spaces, which must be booked by email or phone; ramps are provided on most daytime services, but heritage carriages have steps and narrow doors, and wheelchair users cannot reach the on-board toilets. Boscarne Junction can be reached by ramp from the Camel Trail; wheelchair users cannot board or alight at Bodmin Parkway, and Colesloggett Halt is not recommended. Assistance dogs are welcome free of charge in all carriages and station buildings. The railway supports autism-friendly visits.

Børn og familie

Velegnet til børn og familier

• Familieomvisninger & workshops
• Puslerum

Child fares apply from age 3, and under-3s travel free. Family events include the Spooks, Steam and Halloween trains in the October half term, Santa trains and Christmas events. There is a baby-changing area at Bodmin General.

Transport & parkering

Bodmin General is about half a mile from Bodmin town centre on the B3268 towards Lostwithiel and should not be confused with Bodmin Parkway. Bicycles travel free, subject to space.

Service & spisesteder

• Café
• Restaurant: findes ikke
• Museumsbutik

The Cornish Rail Coffee Co. café at Bodmin General serves drinks, pasties, sandwiches and cakes on train operating days, with outdoor seating. The gift shop is on the platform. There is a picnic area on the platform at Bodmin General and beside the Camel Trail at Boscarne Junction. A buffet in a converted signal box on the platform at Bodmin Parkway is open daily from 07:00 to 14:00.

Arrangementer & udlejning

• Lokaler til leje
• Private fester
• Bryllupper / vielser

Weddings, vow renewals and celebrations can be held at the station, in the Signal Box or on a private train; coach hire, funeral wakes and TV and film hire are also offered.

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