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Friday 19th May 2023 Bodmin & Wenford Railway, Cornwall, PL31 1AQ

A full day photographing a Western Region goods train hauled by 4575 Class No.5553 in BR black

Join us for a full day of steam railway photography at the Bodmin and Wenford Railway in Cornwall using visiting 4575 Class No.5553 in British Railways black livery hauling a Western Region mixed goods train

£98.00

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About this event

This Spring we are heading to the far South West of England for a goods charter in conjunction with Steam Recreations. Small Prairie Tank No.5553 is paying a short working visit to the Bodmin & Wenford Railway in Cornwall for the line’s steam gala and will be working a private photographic charter on the day prior to the public event being held over the subsequent weekend. There are no public services on the day of our charter.

No.5553 is a Churchward-designed 4575 Class 2-6-2T which worked from Cornwall’s St Blazey Depot (83E) in the early 1960s and from where it was withdrawn in November 1961. The 4575 tanks had larger, sloping water tanks than their earlier 4500 classmates and appeared from 1927. Built at Swindon in 1928, No.5553 was also allocated to Bristol Bath Road, Yatton and Machynlleth sheds before moving to Cornwall for its final days in service. By March 1962 it had found its way to Woodham Brothers Scrap Yard at Barry in South Wales and was to become the longest serving resident there, not being rescued until 1990 as the last loco to leave; 5553 was returned to steam in preservation for the first time in 2002. The locomotive is now owned by The Waterman Railway Heritage Trust and based at Peak Rail in Derbyshire.

The train will comprise three and probably four china clay wagons (hoods down as per the steam era), at least one box van and a British Railways brake van. The line has a number of very good photographic positions and access to fields adjoining the line is being negotiated to ensure we have access to the best possible locations. Although the line is a ‘long way down’, visits are always extremely rewarding. The Railway is friendly, welcoming and enthusiastic - and has a limitless supply of genuine pasties to fuel photographers during the day! If you are planning a longer stay, remember it is also the Bodmin and Wenford Railway’s gala over the weekend of Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st May.

The Bodmin and Wenford Railway has its origins with the Great Western Railway which opened a branch from Bodmin Road to Bodmin General Station in 1887 (the line still connects with the main line network at what is now known as Bodmin Parkway Station). In 1984, the Bodmin Railway Preservation Society was formed to reopen the line as a heritage railway and the branch between Bodmin Parkway and Bodmin General began passenger services in 1990. In 1996, a second stretch of line from Bodmin General to Boscarne Junction was opened on the first three miles of the route of the former London & South Western Railway from Bodmin to Wadebridge and then on to Padstow. Much of the remainder of that line is now a public footpath, the Camel Trail, though plans are still being mooted to extend the railway further on a shared basis.

For the few who might be wondering about the title of this event, Kernow is the Cornish name for Cornwall, taken from the Celtic word kernou meaning headland or horn, referring to the rough outline shape of the county. Emmets (tourists) are still allowed to enter!

A GWR steam era locomotive in British Railways black livery with authentic goods train in the fine scenery of a beautiful area will present us with some excellent opportunities and we hope you will wish to join us in May.

Images by Don Bishop

Event requirements

Equipment

  • Spare batteries
  • Camera
  • Lenses

Knowledge

  • All levels welcome

Fitness

  • Medium

Other essentials

  • Sturdy outdoor shoes

Event location