Bodmin Railway Marks 40 Years of Heritage Steam
One of Cornwall’s best-loved visitor attractions invited locals, families and railway enthusiasts to join a special anniversary event celebrating four decades of preserved steam on the historic Bodmin branch line.
Bodmin Railway celebrated a milestone 40th anniversary with a special celebration event on Sunday 31 May 2026, marking four decades since the first authorised train movements of the preservation era took place at Bodmin General Station in 1986.
The anniversary celebration brought together live music, heritage vehicles and the timeless spectacle of working steam, offering visitors of all ages the chance to mark a moment in Cornish railway history.
A Line Rooted in Cornwall’s History
The story of the Bodmin branch line stretches back almost two centuries. The Bodmin & Wadebridge Railway first opened in 1834 and was one of the very first in the world to use steam, initially transporting minerals and agricultural sea sand. The line that visitors travel today — between Bodmin Parkway and Boscarne Junction via Bodmin General — has its roots in the 1887 opening of the Bodmin Road (now Bodmin Parkway) to Bodmin section, followed by the extension to Boscarne Junction in 1888.
For much of the twentieth century, the line played a vital role in Cornwall’s China Clay industry. Steam hauled passenger trains between Padstow and Bodmin ended in 1963, while freight traffic continued running between Bodmin Road and Wadebridge until 1978, and the china clay trains kept the line to Wenfordbridge alive until complete closure in 1983. It was the determination of local volunteers that would change everything.
The Bodmin Railway Preservation Society was formed in 1984, and the first Open Day — featuring shunting demonstrations by a small steam locomotive at Bodmin General Station — took place on Sunday 1 June 1986. Those first movements marked the beginning of a remarkable chapter. Regular services between Bodmin Parkway and Bodmin General were restored in 1990, with the line extended back to Boscarne Junction in 1996. Today, Bodmin Railway operates over 6½ miles of heritage track, firmly establishing itself as one of the country’s finest steam railways.
The 40th anniversary celebration on Sunday 31 May was a day of entertainment, nostalgia and community spirit. Highlights included:
Onboard and platform performances by the award winning Loveny Male Voice Choir
Meet & greets with Richard Trevithick actors celebrating the Cornish pioneer of steam
A display of vintage cars alongside the heritage locomotives and carriages
Indian Queens Brass Band
A special Rover Ticket allowing unlimited hop-on, hop-off travel throughout the day
Visitors were able to explore the charming Victorian station at Bodmin General, visit the Wagon Bar and station café serving local coffee, Cornish pasties, cream teas and more, and take the opportunity to chat with the knowledgeable team of volunteers who keep this remarkable railway running.
And BBC Spotlight came along to cover the event! With thanks to Bodmin Railway for the photos used in this article.
“We are incredibly proud to play our part in preserving the legacy of this incredible line that played such an important role in Cornwall’s history, keeping it alive for future generations. This promises to be a fantastic day for enthusiasts, locals and visitors alike.”
Chris Hatton, Operations Manager, Bodmin Railway