The week of April 1-5 was an operations manager’s nightmare at the Bodmin & Wenford Railway as the only serviceable steam loco failed with a hot axle box on March 31. 

The only option was to use Class 33/1 No. 33110, which had to cover Tuesday and Wednesday’s scheduled passenger trains as well as hauling the Thursday permanent-way train.

However, it was not looking its best, being much in need of a repaint, nevertheless the ‘Crompton’ performed well, and was an unexpected attraction for some visitors. The steam shed also suffered the ‘indignity’ of a diesel invasion with Class 47 No. 47306 The Sapper and Class 50 No. 50042 Triumph being prepared for their visit to GWR’s Long Rock depot open day on April 13. 

They returned to Bodmin for the next day’s diesel event, with GBRf Class 66 No. 66714 Cromer Lifeboat and Class 73/1 No. 73107 Tracy.

Full story in the May 2019 issue of The Railway Magazine –on sale now!

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