Bodmin and Wenford Railway
Heritage railway in Cornwall running steam and diesel trains over 6.5 miles between Bodmin Parkway and Boscarne Junction.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
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 Steam-hauled passenger trains ended in 1963 and all passenger services between Padstow and Bodmin Road were withdrawn in 1967.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.
Highlights
- 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 exhibition
- 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.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £9 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £8Seniors aged 65 and over and other concessions |
| Children & teens | £6free up to age 2 · Child fares apply to ages 3 to 16; under-3s travel free. Prices shown are for a single journey; return and circular fares are listed under extra tickets. |
| Seniors | £8Aged 65 and over. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –Concessionary fares apply to disabled passengers. Registered carers pay a reduced fare and must show a Carer Passport or Carer ID Card at the booking office. |
| Groups (15+ people) | –Discounts are available for pre-booked groups of 15 or more; rates are given on request. |
| Circular (about 2 hours, both branches), adult | £24Senior or concession 23 pounds, child 13 pounds, carer 9.50 pounds, under-3s free |
| Return (about 1 hour, one branch and back to Bodmin General), adult | £16.50Senior or concession 15.50 pounds, child 9.50 pounds, carer 6.50 pounds |
| Dog (any journey) | £3.50Assistance dogs are free |
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.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
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.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 2 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 2 |
- Family tours & workshops
- Baby changing facilities
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.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bodmin Parkway
Bodmin Parkway is on the Cornish main line, with trains from London, Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth and Cornwall; railway trains leave from Platform 3 with easy cross-platform interchange. Boscarne Junction can be reached on foot or by bike on the Camel Trail from Padstow, Wadebridge or Bodmin.
By car
Free parking
The car park beside Bodmin General station is free for rail users and is the only station with passenger parking; sat nav postcode PL31 1AG, what3words digits.plans.song. Pay and display car parks are nearby. Allow at least 30 minutes to park, buy tickets and find your seats.
- Accessible parking
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.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant: not available
- Museum shop
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.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Weddings / ceremonies
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.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The whole trip from boarding to leaving the last train takes about two hours; the locomotive stops at stations to run round and take water. Dogs on leads are welcome on most days but not on the platform in December or on event trains. Schools, colleges and community groups receive special prices, and a Santa train runs for schools in early December. |
