Bodmin Motive Power Depot

Bodmin Motive Power Depot A page dedicated to the locomotives and engineering department of the Bodmin and Wenford Railway.

06/06/2026

Here’s a short update of the jobs we are currently doing on Bagnall ‘Austerity’ No.2766.

The railway is running a fundraising appeal to help with the rising cost of materials needed to finish the overhaul.

The work has progressed brilliantly, but costs have risen — raw materials, copper for the boiler stays, specialist steels — all affected by global pressures impacting us all. We know times are tight but every contribution, however big or small, makes a real difference.

For example £8.50 covers a rivet, £33 covers a boiler tube - and of course, many parts are made in our workshop as they're no longer available to buy.

A heartfelt thanks from everyone in the workshop goes out to those who have been able to donate already.

To make a donation: https://bit.ly/4ucXqYx

Today marks a significant occasion in our flagship loco 5552’s history. On this day in 1986 5552 was bought from Dai Woo...
22/05/2026

Today marks a significant occasion in our flagship loco 5552’s history.
On this day in 1986 5552 was bought from Dai Woodhams of Woodhams Brothers (Barry Scrapyard) by the then formed Bodmin & Wenford Railway Trust upon their arrival of the site at Bodmin General. 5552 was removed from Barry the following month in June where she arrived at Bodmin General and an extensive overhaul including various acquisitions of parts from other 45xx’s saw 5552 return to service for the first time in preservation in 2003. After regular use here at Bodmin she was pulled from traffic in late 2012. A second overhaul then followed which was started in the workshops at Bodmin and laterally moved to our friends Leaky Finders up in Exeter to carry out the extensive work required with a new frame section and doubling plates fitted a first for this class of loco. 5552 returned to Bodmin in July 2023 and after an extensive running in period saw her return to public services on 1st August and the loco has been a popular favourite since.

Back home on Cornish soil! Today saw ‘Port of Par’ Bagnall ‘Judy’ back home after a 4 month period away visiting our fri...
21/04/2026

Back home on Cornish soil!
Today saw ‘Port of Par’ Bagnall ‘Judy’ back home after a 4 month period away visiting our friends at the South Devon Railway, Dean Forest Railway & Severn Valley Railway. Judy’s been a popular feature at all three of the galas she’s taken part in, helping represent the team at Bodmin while also showing off a piece of Cornish history.

Happy Easter from the Engineering team at Bodmin Railway 🐣This week has seen some major jobs finished off for the repair...
05/04/2026

Happy Easter from the Engineering team at Bodmin Railway 🐣

This week has seen some major jobs finished off for the repairs to the boiler on Bagnall ‘Austerity’ No.2766.

The new tube-plate to smokebox ring has had its final shape formed and has now been welded to the tube-plate. It has also had the excess material cut away from the outer edge. It now needs the washout plug holes drilling and tapping and can then be fitted up ready for riveting on once the boiler is turned upright again.

The new outer firebox side skirt plates have had the mud hole door openings made and matched up to the doors as well as the blow down valve holes drilled and tapped, these are now ready for fitting up ready to be welded.

Some other jobs include the spring hangers having the new bushes fitted and the large cladding sheets all getting undercoated.

Please follow our page for more updates 🚂

Lots going on in the workshop at the moment however we are mainly focusing on the Heavy Overhaul of Bagnall 'Austerity' ...
31/03/2026

Lots going on in the workshop at the moment however we are mainly focusing on the Heavy Overhaul of Bagnall 'Austerity' No.2766, many jobs are now complete however there is still plenty left to do.

Here is some of the jobs that we have been up to over the last few weeks

In a workshop far far away……..(from Cornwall)On this nice relaxing sunny Sunday members of the railway’s engineering tea...
22/03/2026

In a workshop far far away……..(from Cornwall)

On this nice relaxing sunny Sunday members of the railway’s engineering team are in Devon at our very good friends Leaky Finders workshop using their Richard’s horizontal boring machine to progress Bagnall ‘Austerity’ No.2766’s new front tubeplate.

A big thanks to Leaky Finders Ltd

02/03/2026

Here’s a short video of some machining work being carried out by Engineer “Matt” on Bagnall “Austerity” 2766’s reverser counterweight shaft using our “Richards” horizontal boring machine

The shaft had previously been built up with weld and needed turning down to accommodate new bearings

More pictures of the machining work being carried out for overhaul to follow

19/02/2026

Monday Meet our Volunteers - Say Hello to Pete

After a career in finance, Pete wanted to do something completely different — so four years ago, he joined the Bodmin Railway workshop team as a volunteer. His goal? To help preserve Cornish railway heritage and learn new skills along the way.

These days, you’ll find Pete hard at work painting and preparing our heritage carriages, ensuring they look their very best for our visitors. “The finish matters,” he says, “because what the public sees is a reflection of the whole workshop team.” And when those freshly restored coaches roll into the sunshine for the first time? That’s a moment of real pride.

“You’re constantly learning. The atmosphere is tremendous, and the people are great fun to be with.”

Whether you’re into railways, looking to pick up a new skill, or simply want to do something meaningful with a great team, Bodmin Railway could be the place for you. Find out more about getting involved: https://bit.ly/4qTgQ3i

A huge thank you to Pete for all of his hard work in the workshop!

We’ve been back in the workshop here at Bodmin General for 3 weeks and there’s certainly been plenty going on.Work is pr...
23/01/2026

We’ve been back in the workshop here at Bodmin General for 3 weeks and there’s certainly been plenty going on.

Work is progressing well on the Heavy Overhaul of Bagnall ‘Austerity’ No.2766, the rebuild of the Midland TSO M4656 has also been progressing aswell as the workshop team assisting with Permanent Way works and dealing with some of the effects of the recent storms down here in Cornwall.

Here’s some pictures of what we’ve been upto these last 3 weeks.

13/01/2026

Another video of this afternoons riveting on Bagnall 2766’s frames.

We hope to post more updates soon so watch this space…….

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Bodmin General Station
Bodmin
PL311AQ

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