Class 50 & Class 37 Driver Experiences, 21/09/18.

This video features the 'Light Engine Driver Experiences' at the Bodmin & Wenford Railway Diesel Gala, 21/09/18. These £50 sessions offered amazing value because you got about thirty minutes of driving, most of which was at 25mph. The line is well worth a visit as both branches to Bodmin General are on some tasty gradients. The locomotives work hard when hauling stock up the incline, so much so that you get a proper mainline feel with all the noise that was once commonplace when these veteran machines were in every day use with BR.

Boscarne Junction to Bodmin General is three miles long and as steep as 1:40 in places. Bodmin Parkway to Bodmin General is also a very steep climb and reaches 1:37. The driver experiences in this video were on the latter section, covering Bodmin General to Colesloggett Halt and return, although experiences to Boscarne Junction were also available. Several sessions were available each day and ran alongside the passenger train.

Initially I was booked on 50 042 and my friend was on 37 142. However, we were given the option to share each loco, so he stepped up first and drove down to Colesloggett Halt leaving me with the main event; the gradient up to Bodmin General. Then the opposite applied to the 37; myself being a bit naughty with the power going downhill then my friend driving uphill to Bodmin General. The video has been edited down to cut out the temporary speed restrictions and any chatter which won't be of interest. I've tried to include as much thrash and views of the line as possible.

I thoroughly recommend a visit to the BWR. The line is scenic, the locos loud and all the volunteers are friendly.

For more English Electric excellence, please check out this video of a class 73 driver experience course...

   • Driving a Class 73 up Danemoor Bank, ...