Most of the locomotives operating on the Bodmin and Wenford Railway are Great Western Railway (GWR) steam locomotives and British Rail (BR) diesels typical of those that have operated in Cornwall and west Devon, along with shunting locomotives typical of industrial and military sites in the area.
An example of the GWR's most numerous class of 'Pannier tanks', 4612 was withdrawn in 1965 and sold to the Woodham Brothers for scrap. It was sold to provide spare parts for another preserved locomotive but was eventually sold to the Bodmin Railway Trust and restored. It is currently (2023) out of service and awaiting overhaul.[1]
This 'Prairie tank' was withdrawn from Truro shed in 1961. The Bodmin Railway Trust rescued it from Woodham's scrapyard in Barry in 1986 and it was returned to steam in 2003. It was taken out of service in 2013 for an overhaul and is expected to return to service in 2023.[1]
Bagnall's works number 2766 was one of many locomotives built to Hunslet's 'Austerity' design during World War II. It worked in Antwerp before being sold to the National Coal Board in 1947 for use at Treorchy and, from 1970, at Maesteg.[2] It was withdrawn in 1973.[2] and restoration started before it came to Bodmin where it eventually returned to steam in 2017, painted in War Department green. It is currently (2023) out of service and awaiting an overhaul.[1]
Alfred (Bagnall works number 3058) was the last of the locomotives specially constructed to go under a low bridge at the Port of Par that had to be negotiated to reach clay driers at Par Moor. It was withdrawn in 1977 and preserved by the Cornish Steam Locomotive Preservation Society.[3] It is currently (2023) out of service awaiting an overhaul.[1]
Judy was the first of Bagnall's special saddle tanks for the Port of Par was works number 2572. It was withdrawn in1969 but kept at Par for several years until it was donated to the china clay museum at Wheal Martyn. In 2004 it joined Alfred in the care of the Cornish Steam Locomotive Preservation Society. It was successfully steamed on 31 October 2008.[3][1]
After withdrawal by British Rail this shunting locomotive was sold to English China Clays plc in September 1968 to work at Fowey. After 23 years shunting wagons of china clay it was preserved, arriving at Bodmin on 5 March 1989.[4] The locomotive is currently (2023) painted in British Rail black livery but is out of service awaiting an overhaul.[1]
Built at the BR Workshops at Crewe in March 1958 and originally numbered D3429. Withdrawn by British Rail as non standard in 1984. On hire from The Diesel Electric Shunter Company while 08444 is being overhauled.[5]
One of the many Class 08 locomotives sold by British Rail, 08444 was bought by the Bodmin Railway Trust and arrived on 27 March 1987. It carries BR green livery but is scheduled for an overhaul during 2023.[6][1]
37142 was the first Class 37 to be work in Cornwall. It was bought from the Harry Needle Railroad Company by one of the members of the Bodmin Heritage Diesels group. It was stopped for an overhaul in 2019 and has not yet (2023) returned to service.[5][1]
47306 was regarded as a heritage locomotive by English, Welsh and Scottish Railway and painted in the short-lived BR Railfreight Distribution livery. It came to Cornwall for a gala on the B&WR in 2002 and was then stored at St Blazey. It was preserved back at Bodmin in March 2007 and restored to operational condition.[5][1]
50042 was withdrawn from service at Laira depot at Plymouth in 1990 and restored at Bodmin, entering service in 1993. It is painted in the BR large logo blue livery with a black roof.[5][1]
Sentinel works number 10029 operated by for British Steel until 1970 when it was sold to English China Clay and shunted wagons at Rocks Drier near Bugle. It was number P403D in their fleet and given the name Denise. It was donated in 2014 to the Bodmin and Wenford Railway and entered service after a two-year restoration.[7][8]
This single-car unit was painted in chocolate and cream livery for the GWR 150 celebrations in 1985. From 2002 until 2017 it was operated by Chiltern Railways. It has not yet been repainted from the blue colour that it carried then but is out of service awaiting repairs.[9][1]
Built by BR to a GWR Hawksworth design. Used as an inspection saloon on the Dartmouth Steam Railway. Arrived at Bodmin in 2008 and fully restored, entering service in 2011.[10]
Heritage goods wagons on the Bodmin and Wenford Railway include several examples of open wagons that had been built by British Rail (BR) to carry china clay in Cornwall. Other wagons are used to maintain the railway and its equipment.
A steel open registered by the Army to operate on the main line until 1981 and then used internally at Marchwood Military Port.[32] Used as part of the freight train.
A ganger's pump trolley dating from when the London and South Western Railway owned the Bodmin and Wadebridge line. It used to be kept in a shed at Dunmere Junction.[61][62]
Past members of the B&WR fleet
These locomotives and multiple units have been based on the Bodmin and Wenford Railway in the past. These lists do not include locomotives based on other lines that were short term visitors, for example to a gala weekend or for a season.
Another 'pannier tank' engine, members of this class were fitted with equipment for working Auto trains. 6435 was withdrawn on 12 October 1964 and entered preservation with the Dart Valley Railway on 17 October 1965.[65] It was transferred to the Torbay Steam Railway but proved too small and was sold to the Bodmin Railway Trust. It was withdrawn from service in 2021 [1] and sold to the West Somerset Railway in 2024. [66]
A 'Beattie Well Tank', one of three that were used for many years on the mineral branch from Boscarne Junction to Wenfordbridge. It is part of the National Collection.[69] It returned to Bodmin in late 2023 and now appears at special events on static display.[citation needed]
This air-smoothed Southern Railway 'West Country' class locomotive came to Bodmin for restoration and was steamed in 2006 but then moved to the Mid Hants Railway.[63][70]
This locomotive was built by W. G. Bagnall in 1950, their works number 2962. It was delivered to Devonport Dockyard, the last steam locomotive to enter service there before diesels started to arrive in 1955. It was sold to the Cornwall Steam Locomotive Preservation Society (CSLPS) and moved to their site at Bodmin in 1969. The CSLPS moved to Bugle in 1977 where number 19's restoration was completed. It returned to Bodmin and the B&WR in 1986. It was painted in Devonport Dockyard's plum colour.[71]
This locomotive was donated to the Cornish Steam Locomotive Preservation Society by Albright & Wilson who had displayed it at their Portishead works since it was taken out of service. It was never restored before it was sold to the Swanage Railway but is now on display at Beal railway station.[73]
The last fireless locomotive built by W. G. Bagnall, it was used at the china clay works at Marsh Mills near Plymouth. It came to Bodmin with the other Cornish Steam Loocmotive Preservation Society locomotives but has since moved elsewhere.[73][74]
A small 4-wheeled diesel that originally worked for LEC Refrigeration at Bognor Regis and was known as 'Lec' but while at Bodmin its name was changed to Brian.[8] This was Ruston & Hornsby's works number 443642.[77]