Freesteam

John Chapman · Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 12:11 pm Post subject: Bodmin & Wadebridge 175

This month sees the 175th anniversary of the opening of the Bodmin and Wadebridge Railway, the first steam railway in Cornwall. The inaugural run over the "main line" from Wadebridge to Wenford Bridge was on 30th September 1834. The engine "Camel", is recorded as pulling 17 wagons on this first run, The "West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser" recorded the event: "These vehicles were tastefully fitted up and decorated with flags, green branches, etc.".

The B & W was a true railway pioneer, opening three years before Queen Victoria ascended the throne and two years before any railway reached London, it is also credited with being the first railway to operate excursions. These were to events such as the Royal Cornwall Show and public hangings at Bodmin Gaol. One excursion to see the hanging of the Lightfoot brothers in 1840 was so popular that three trains were run, transporting 1,100 people to watch the event.

This weekend a celebration was held in Wadebridge with an exhibition in the old goods shed. There were visits by a number of traction engines and the return of a Beattie well tank.

and the star of the show ...

Ironically the previous occasion when I saw a Beattie well tank, back in 1959, it was in almost exactly the same place. The car park where 30587 was on display yesterday is on the site of the former Wadebridge engine shed.
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