Bodmin Diesel Gala Preparations
The finishing touches are applied to Bodmins resident class 37, 37142, ahead of its starring role in this weekends diesel gala. Both above images copyright Malcolm Young.
Get ready for our Autumn Diesel Gala, 25th–27th September 2026 !
Featuring guest locomotive Class 31; 31210, joining us courtesy of Hanson & Hall, joining our home fleet for the full three days as well as 33012/D6515 ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’, courtesy of the 71A Group.
Across all three days you can enjoy our home fleet which includes the our Class 47; 47306 ‘The Sapper’, Class 08; 08444, Class 121 Bubble Car; 121020 and subject to maintenance we will aim to run our Class 37; 37142.
Join us as a variety of our heritage diesel locomotives and units take to the tracks, giving enthusiasts and families the chance to enjoy an action-packed day along our historic Cornish branch line. With an intensive timetable and the rare opportunity to see Platform 2 at Bodmin General in regular use, there’ll be plenty happening throughout the gala.
Explore the railway, enjoy the sights and sounds of classic diesel traction and make the most of unlimited travel with your ticket. There’ll also be a BBQ running throughout the three-day event, alongside our café, gift shop and museum at Bodmin General.
Featuring guest locomotive Class 31; 31210, joining us courtesy of Hanson & Hall, joining our home fleet for the full three days as well as 33012/D6515 ‘Lt Jenny Lewis RN’, courtesy of the 71A Group.
Across all three days you can enjoy our home fleet which includes the our Class 47; 47306 ‘The Sapper’, Class 08; 08444, Class 121 Bubble Car; 121020 and subject to maintenance we will aim to run our Class 37; 37142.
Join us as a variety of our heritage diesel locomotives and units take to the tracks, giving enthusiasts and families the chance to enjoy an action-packed day along our historic Cornish branch line. With an intensive timetable and the rare opportunity to see Platform 2 at Bodmin General in regular use, there’ll be plenty happening throughout the gala.
Explore the railway, enjoy the sights and sounds of classic diesel traction and make the most of unlimited travel with your ticket. There’ll also be a BBQ running throughout the three-day event, alongside our café, gift shop and museum at Bodmin General.
47's to Fowey
Craig Munday
Nice to see a good turn out at Golant on Sat 19th despite the rotten weather. My only venture out this packed weekend was for the Fowey Branchline railtour. It was interesting to see a class 47 back on the branch after many years.
I have included my pictures from 19th of 47802 and 47812 working 1Z19/1Z20 along the branch at Golant, and a pair of shots from 40 years ago when I was on the YTS following the freight crews at St Blazey for two weeks (how I wish I could have frozen time back then). The loco on the clay runs was 47247 and it is seen at Carne Point working the clay hoods. By chance, 47247 became 47810 which is still in service with LSL!!
I have included my pictures from 19th of 47802 and 47812 working 1Z19/1Z20 along the branch at Golant, and a pair of shots from 40 years ago when I was on the YTS following the freight crews at St Blazey for two weeks (how I wish I could have frozen time back then). The loco on the clay runs was 47247 and it is seen at Carne Point working the clay hoods. By chance, 47247 became 47810 which is still in service with LSL!!
47812 leads Saturdays Crewe - Fowey railtour past Golant. 19.09.2026, copyright Craig Munday.
47802 leads the return railtour to Crewe past Golant. 19.09.2026, copyright Craig Munday.
A 47 at Fowey from 40 years ago, as 47247 shunts the 'hoods' at Carne Point in 1986. Copyright Craig Munday.
The scene at Carne Point 40 years ago with 47247 on a clay train. Copyright Craig Munday.
Many thanks indeed, Craig.
Westbury Round-Up
Guy Vincent
Some interesting workings around Westbury over the weekend of 18-20 September. Click the below images for enlargements and captions.
Many thanks indeed Guy - you've had plenty to photograph up there!
Westbury photos from 18-20.09.2026. Click for enlargements and captions. All above images copyright Guy Vincent.
The Blue Pullman heads home
Jon Hird, Steve Clark & Clive Smith
43059 climbs away from Par passing Stoneybridge with the 1036 Penzance - Lancaster 'Cornish Riviera Pullman'. This railtour came down to Cornwall on Friday and the passengers had a weekend break in the county, whilst the HST set ran a second tour from Penzance - Oxford and back. 20.09.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Surprised to find myself alone here to capture the 1Z43 Penzance to Lancaster at Largin which was accelerating nicely after being held at a Red following 1A83. 20.09.2026, copyright Steve Clark.
43059 'Loch Shiel' leading and 43050 'Loch Morar' on the rear of the 2+5 Midland Pullman HST running as the 1Z43 10.36 Penzance-Lancaster approaching Ivybridge on the Sunday of its 3-day visit down west. The shot is taken from the slopes of Western Beacon on Dartmoor which overlooks Ivybridge. 20.09.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
Many thanks all - farewell to the HST, for now.
Swindon Scenes
Ken Mumford & Colin Pidgeon
6Q59 Didcot Tamper Sidings - Westbury. Before it passed through the station via a stop in Swindon East Loop, the station announcer said, "Fast Train approaching platform 4. . ." BUT the signal at the west end of platform 3 was RED and NO FAST TRAIN passed!! This often happens when a train about to enter Swindon East Loop is about a mile or so away - the train triggers a device which causes this station announcement. 19.09.2026, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
6C03 [Northolt Sidings to Severnside Sta] with London's Domestic & Industrial Waste - there's a degree of pong as it passes alongside platform 4 - with green-liveried 66004. 19.09.2026, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
Ken's photo of non-powered 66205 bringing up the rear of 6C03. 19.09.2026, copyright Ken Mumford.
1Z41 [Penzance to Oxford] - Blue Pullman HST with power cars 43059 and 43050 - passes Swindon under caution on the UML because 1A19 [Bristol to Paddungton] had just left 3 minutes in front of the Blue Pullman train. 19.09.2026, copyright Ken Mumford.
Many thanks Ken and Colin - good livery varieties.
Cogload Railtours
Bill Elston
1Z26, Bishops Lydeard to Paddington, led by 47848, tailed by 47237, seen passing Creech st Michael. 19.09.2026, copyright Bill Elston.
47237 on the rear at Cogload. 19.09.2026, copyright Bill Elston.
1Z43, Oxford to Penzance Blue Pullman, t/t 43050/43059, seen passing Cogload Jct. 19.09.2026, copyright Bill Elston.
1Z20, Fowey to Crewe, t/t 47802/47812, also at Cogload. 19.09.2026, copyright Bill Elston.
Many thanks indeed Bill.
September 1976
Part 21
Roger Winnen
St Dennis Junction Signal Box. 18.09.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
St Dennis Junction Signal Box. 18.09.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
St Dennis Junction Signal Box. 18.09.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.