April 5th 2026

5/4/2026

'The Britannic Explorer'
visits Cornwall
David Tozer, Julian Stephens, Jon Hird, Roger Salter, Andrew Triggs, Sam Sheldrick, Jonathan Harbage, Joe Birchall

The first 'Britannic Explorer', Belmonds new super-luxurious land cruising train, to visit the South West ran down from Bishops Lydeard yesterday, 04.04.2026. 66744 and 66748 were the locomotives and they ran a route from Bishops Lydeard - Penzance - Lostwithiel - Fowey (and then shuttled to Lostwithiel later in the evening, before returning to Fowey).

Today the train will retrace it steps east to Castle Cary, then it will spend another night at Bishops Lydeared.

1C02 0905 Bishops Lydeard GBRF to Penzance with 66744 and 66748 passes through Marsh Barton. 04.04.2026, copyright David Tozer.

66744 and 66748 passing through Lostwithiel en route to Penzance. 04.04.2026, copyright Sam Sheldrick.

1C02 continues west, passing Polkyth (St. Austell). 04.04.2026, copyright Julian Stephens.

66744 and 66748 pass Dowgas, Coombe with the Britannic Explorer. 04.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

1C02 0905 Bishops Lydeard-Penzance ,” Britannic Explorer” passing Marazion Marsh Crossing running 17 minutes late. 04.04.2026, copyright Roger Salter.

Passing Rospeath Road overbridge with 66744 'Heart of Wales' leading 66748 'St Michael's Mount' working 1C02 09.05 Bishops Lydeard GBRf-Penzance. 04.04.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.

The double headed locos beneath the station roof at Penzance. 04.04.2026, copyright Sam Sheldrick.

The train is pushed back to Slopers Siding. 04.04.2026, copyright Sam Sheldrick.

66748 with the Tour Stock stabled at Slopers. 04.04.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.

66744 'Heart of Wales' returning to Slopers from Longrock Depot, viewed from Ponsandane Footbridge. 04.04.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.

Now in top and tail formation, with 66744 leading, awaiting 17.30 departure as 1Z03 for Fowey Docks Carne Point. 04.04.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.

The Tour passing Marazion running 3 early at 17.31 and heading up. 04.04.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.

Here is 66744 and 66747 on their way from Penzance to Fowey, near Buckshead on 04/04/26. Good to see Joe on the bridge. Copyright Jonathan Harbage.

66748 on the rear of the Penzance - Fowey leg of the tour seen on the outskirts of Truro. 04.04.2026, copyright Joe Birchall.

66744s driver piles on the power at Trethellan as the train heads for Lostwithiel. 04.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

66744 entering the up goods loop at Lostwithiel where it will reverse for Fowey. 04.04.2026, copyright Sam Sheldrick.

66748 now leading exits the goods loop and heads for the Fowey branch at Lostwithiel. 04.04.2026, copyright Sam Sheldrick.

66744 with the headboard on the rear at Lostwithiel. 04.04.2026, copyright Sam Sheldrick.

A very high tide at Golant as the train heads for Fowey. 04.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

The train curved around the causeway at Golant. 04.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

Home for the evening - Fowey Docks. 04.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.

Many thanks all. A bit of a pity about the weather but at least the rain mostly kept away!

Dates for all the future visits of this train (along with the times for todays return working) are in our Railtour Calendar.

The Hidden Valley Railway
Tim Hughes

Hidden Valley has opened for 2026 this weekend.

Of the many tweaks and investments over the winter, one has been the refurbishment of their resident locomotive which is looking very smart.

Always a great family day out.