Bodmin & Wenford Railway

[whole diary]

[CedricCecil]

What about the new fence at Penzance Station it appears to be the 'spear' type

[SandTEngineer]

What about the new fence at Penzance Station it appears to be the 'spear' type

shh...don't tell the ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about).....

[Andy]

Super to see the progress that's been made. Thanks, SandTEngineer. Is the track on the far side of the new platform aligned so that Bodmin General now has three platforms, even though the photo suggests that it is to be used primarily as a siding (as before).

The new Platform No.2 will be fenced at the rear (its too narrow to meet the ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about) requirements for an island platform).  It was going to be GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) style 'spear fencing' but thats not allowed on safety grounds, so it will be a rounded top design, but will still look similar to the former!  The siding was refurbished, reballasted and realigned slightly as part of the work.  I've got a 'work in progress' photograph showing that somewhere, and when I find it I'll put it on here.

Next signalling stage is to get the crossover disc signals installed and commissioned, but who knows when at the moment.....

Thanks. In the photo it looks too slim for two faces. It looks great and totally in-keeping with what is a gem of a station. Well done to all involved.

Yes, when you look at the random stone facing you will think the platform was there from the opening of the original railway.  They have done a brilliant job on it all.  Just needs me and a few others to get on with the signalling work now so that we can get it all into operation.....

Hopefully you'll be able to finish the job later in the year. By the by, is there any 'movement' regarding aspirations to relay track towards Nanstallon (which was the identified as the destination of an initial extension, if I remember correctly)? Thanks. 

[SandTEngineer]

Super to see the progress that's been made. Thanks, SandTEngineer. Is the track on the far side of the new platform aligned so that Bodmin General now has three platforms, even though the photo suggests that it is to be used primarily as a siding (as before).

The new Platform No.2 will be fenced at the rear (its too narrow to meet the ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about) requirements for an island platform).  It was going to be GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) style 'spear fencing' but thats not allowed on safety grounds, so it will be a rounded top design, but will still look similar to the former!  The siding was refurbished, reballasted and realigned slightly as part of the work.  I've got a 'work in progress' photograph showing that somewhere, and when I find it I'll put it on here.

Next signalling stage is to get the crossover disc signals installed and commissioned, but who knows when at the moment.....

Thanks. In the photo it looks too slim for two faces. It looks great and totally in-keeping with what is a gem of a station. Well done to all involved.

Yes, when you look at the random stone facing you will think the platform was there from the opening of the original railway.  They have done a brilliant job on it all.  Just needs me and a few others to get on with the signalling work now so that we can get it all into operation.....

Hopefully you'll be able to finish the job later in the year. By the by, is there any 'movement' regarding aspirations to relay track towards Nanstallon (which was the identified as the destination of an initial extension, if I remember correctly)? Thanks. 

The Wadebridge extension is still a long term ambition being progressed by a seperate part of the railway organisation, with Nanstallon being the first target.  The outline design has been approved by Cornwall County Council (its going to share the old track formation with the Camel Trail cycle/pathway). Last I heard the railway had theorectically been awarded £25M for this by the Taxpayers Alliance......

[Andy]

Super to see the progress that's been made. Thanks, SandTEngineer. Is the track on the far side of the new platform aligned so that Bodmin General now has three platforms, even though the photo suggests that it is to be used primarily as a siding (as before).

The new Platform No.2 will be fenced at the rear (its too narrow to meet the ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about) requirements for an island platform).  It was going to be GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) style 'spear fencing' but thats not allowed on safety grounds, so it will be a rounded top design, but will still look similar to the former!  The siding was refurbished, reballasted and realigned slightly as part of the work.  I've got a 'work in progress' photograph showing that somewhere, and when I find it I'll put it on here.

Next signalling stage is to get the crossover disc signals installed and commissioned, but who knows when at the moment.....

Thanks. In the photo it looks too slim for two faces. It looks great and totally in-keeping with what is a gem of a station. Well done to all involved.

Yes, when you look at the random stone facing you will think the platform was there from the opening of the original railway.  They have done a brilliant job on it all.  Just needs me and a few others to get on with the signalling work now so that we can get it all into operation.....

Hopefully you'll be able to finish the job later in the year. By the by, is there any 'movement' regarding aspirations to relay track towards Nanstallon (which was the identified as the destination of an initial extension, if I remember correctly)? Thanks. 

The Wadebridge extension is still a long term ambition being progressed by a seperate part of the railway organisation, with Nanstallon being the first target.  The outline design has been approved by Cornwall County Council (its going to share the old track formation with the Camel Trail cycle/pathway). Last I heard the railway had theorectically been awarded £25M for this by the Taxpayers Alliance......

Enough said! Thanks.

[grahame]

Its been quite a long time since Bobm visited us.  Since then, construction of the Bodmin General new Platform No.2 has progressed somewhat, and the signalling alterations being designed and the first stage implemented:

A further view of platform 2 - and other pics - at Cornwall Live

Platforms at Bodmin General train station should now be busy with visitors and passengers hoping to get on board some vintage trains and enjoy a scenic trip through Cornwall.

But with the coronavirus pandemic forcing much of the world into a lockdown, this is one attraction which has been eerily quiet.

Jimmy James, a spokesman for Bodmin and Wenford Railway, said Easter is a time when you would normally expect Bodmin General to be a hive of activity, but due to the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown there is nothing.

[grahame]

From Cornwall Live

Cornish heritage attraction announces it won't be opening this summer

The Bodmin and Wenford Railway says there are still so many imponderables and unknowns

[southwest]

From Cornwall Live

Cornish heritage attraction announces it won't be opening this summer

The Bodmin and Wenford Railway says there are still so many imponderables and unknowns

Given other heritage railways have successfully reopened, I think this is big mistake, and one which will probably cost the railway a fortune in lost revenue.

[grahame]

Given other heritage railways have successfully reopened, I think this is big mistake, and one which will probably cost the railway a fortune in lost revenue.

Others have and are re-opening, but that's far from universal. All heritage railways are different and the fact that whilst there are a significant number re-opening, there's quite a number not.  It probably saved a lot of heartache (and money spent "in case" or "in hope") by the Bodmin and Wenford making the decision early.

Some issues that will have influenced the decision:
* How easy is it to social distance on this railway?
* What proportion of income comes from crowded special days rather than holiday area running?
* Are key team members vulnerable volunteers who will not make themselves available?
* Will we save ourselves more than we would take by not running a short season with limited capacity on the trains?
* Will our regulars come back in greater numbers next year, so deferring rather than loosing income?

[bobm]

Just before the latest restrictions, I took advantage of an open day to have another look at the Bodmin & Wenford Railway.   



Although no trains were running there was a chance to look around the improvements which have been made at Bodmin General station.   The second platform has now been installed although the fence to separate it from the siding has yet to be installed.



My only concern surrounds what appears to be the height of the platform (on the right above) compared to the rolling stock.  Is there still trackwork to do?

[Andy]

Thanks bobm for these super photos. Bodmin General is a gem of a station - and the only original GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) branch line 'terminus' building still standing in Cornwall, I think.