April 26th 2026

Diesel weekend
at the Bodmin Railway
Jon Hird & Mark Lynam

Saturday 25th April saw the first day of Bodmin Railways spring diesel weekend. 

In use on Saturday were 47306 and 'Bubble Car' 121020, along with class 08 08444 running driver experiences within station limits.

The event continues today, Sunday 26th, with 08444 and 121020 working trains - more details on the Bodmin Railway website.

Wearing the CRS headboard, 08444 passes Port of Par bagnall 'Judy' whilst working a driver experience session. 25.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

08444 runs back into Bodmin General. 25.04.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.

47306 waits departure from Boscarne Junction. 25.04.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.

47306 powering up the gradient from Boscarne Junction. 25.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

Slightly further along the line, 47306 is seen rounding 'Check Rail Curve' with a service from Boscarne Junction. 25.04.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.

47306 arrives at Bodmin General. 25.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

121020 and 08444 in the sun at Bodmin General. 25.04.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.

121020 crosses the iron bridge at the start of the Parkway branch. 25.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

121020 rounding Quarry Curve en route to Bodmin Parkway. 25.04.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.

Arrival at Bodmin Parkway for 121020. 25.04.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.

121020 working back up the gradient towards Bodmin General, passing Quarry Curve once again. 25.04.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.

47306 now heading down the gradient to Bodmin Parkway. 25.04.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.

The final service of the day drifts down through Charlies Gate behind 47306. 25.04.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.

With the final train of the day in tow, 47306 coasts over Bodmin Parkway viaduct. 25.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

47306 arrives at Bodmin Parkway. 25.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

47306 departs Bodmin Parkway with the final service up the gradient to Bodmin Parkway. 25.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

And slightly further up the line, the same train is seen once more passing Charlies Gate. 25.04.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.

Many thanks Mark, and a hearty congratulations to The Bodmin Railway for another great event. 

If you're at a loose end today why not pop along for a visit? Timetables and ticket info here.

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Penzance Pilot
Andrew Triggs

Longrock Pilot 08836 hauled 5A50 20.12 Longrock T&RSMD-Penzance on Friday night (with 57604 on the rear). Shots taken at Ponsandane and Penzance.

Passing Ponsandane with 5A50 in the rapidly fading light at 20.20. 24.04.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.

57604 at Platform 1, which will later lead 1A50 21.45 Penzance-London Paddington Night Riviera. 24.04.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.

08836 awaiting uncoupling from 5A50 at Platform 1. 24.04.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.

Now detached from 5A50, having drawn forward towards the Blocks. 24.04.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.

Many thanks indeed Andrew. 

I can't imagine there are many places left at all in this day and age where you can see a humble Class 08 out for a jaunt on the mainline.

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April 1976
Part 26
Roger Winnen

Footbridge at Yeovil Junction Station. 24.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.

Exeter Red Cow Crossing. 24.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.

A Barnstaple unit departs Exeter St David's. 24.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.

A Class 33 on a working to London Waterloo. 24.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.

A Peak passing Exeter West Box. 24.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.

A Class 50 departs Platform 1 at Exeter. 24.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.

Across the Exe to Exmouth. 24.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.

I'm not even going to attempt to guess where this may be - somewhere between Penzance and Yeovil via Exeter! 24.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.