The Bodmin and Wenford Railway has confirmed that they have taken the difficult decision to not reopen to passengers this Summer.
The heritage railway is now offering their resident GWR pannier tanks 4612 and 6435 for hire to other heritage railways around Britain.
The line that needs to hire in one of these locomotives may have no other steam available, or doesn’t want the expense of firing up a large tender engine, such as a Manor or Hall.
Bodmin has Austerity 2766 that they will retain to have one steam loco on-site for crew familiarisation and the occasional private hire work.
Chairman of the B&W PLC, David Nelson-Brown, told RailAdvent: “These engines have stood idle long enough, and we are keen to see them stretch their wheels. Sadly it won’t be with us, but this is a great opportunity for another railway that may be in need of some fine Swindon motive power.”
Any railway which is interested in discussing hire options should contact David Nelson-Brown on [email protected]
Want to help the Bodmin and Wenford Railway while its doors are closed? You can donate via their Crowdfunder by clicking here.
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Responses
The photo of 4612 at Bodmin General (above), credited to David Nelson, is actually one of mine. The two Fitters between the buffers are Tom Bright and Will Marshall.
Jimmy James,
Press and Publicity Officer, Editor B&WR News,
Bodmin & Wenford Railway.
Tel: 01726 814022.
I am deeply saddened to to hear that the B and W won’t be reopening this Summer. I really hope that this is temporary and not permanent. Britain needs all the Heritage railways to run and to run successfully.
Sorry to here this we are all in it together
That’s hope all heritage lines survive
We are in the same boat Northamptonshire ironstone railway trust
Chairman grant
A very sad but brave decision by the Bodmin & Wenford Railway to announce its summer closure; hopefully this doesn’t mean the ‘Santa Season’ as well!? I am ashamed to say that I haven’t personally been to the BWR for quite a while but like the previous correspondent I hope to visit there next summer.
I’m sure that there are several Heritage Lines that would love to hire a Pannier but can’t help thinking that they’ll be strapped for cash and or don’t have the safe storage facilities for such a lovely engine.
I do hope this isn’t the start of the demise to steam for a second time and we see the likes of a Woodhams scrap yard again up and down the country. Covid-19 is certainly wrecking everything we value so fingers crossed the BWR will again be strong, I pray they will.
Sorry to hear and learn about the Brilliantly-Preserved ”Bodmin & Wenford Railway” on it’s latest unexpected setback.
Hopefully (with my full support)… I do hope it isn’t nor the end of this Remarkably Brilliant Cornish Heritage Railway,
That Picture-Perfective Part of Colourful Cornwall just wouldn’t ever be the same without the BWR, Especially it’s own outstanding fleet of steam locos of Great Western Origin.
Again, I do hope the Bodmin & Wenford Railway (which I myself hope to travel down to, visit and ride aboard one of it’s own trains up & down the line ‘in-person’ someday) Do eventually reopen back up and running within the foreseeable future.
Being Enthusiastically fond of Trains & Railways and Classic Modes of Transportation for as long as I can recall… I’d even do anything to help keep every other ”Heritage Railway”/”Transportation Attraction” (including this one, Along with the Helston & Launceston Steam Railways too) across the British Isles forever preserved with A Future Well Ahead.
All Heritage Railways & Transportation Attractions across the UK Deserve to be Preserved for Future Generations to Learn & Discover.