Distinguished Visitor to the Bodmin & Wenford Railway

Captain Keizo Kitagawa, Defence Attache, Embassy of Japan in the United Kingdom, and a self confessed rail enthusiast took time out as a guest speaker at the University of Plymouth's International Maritime Synergies Symposium to visit the Bodmin And Wenford Railway on Tuesday 30 September.
 
Here he teamed up with Driver Alan Tregaskes (from Par) and Fireman Jimmy James (from St. Blazey) in the cab of Great Western Railway 2-8-0T steam locomotive no. 4247 to travel along the steep gradients from Bodmin General to Bodmin Parkway and Boscarne Junction. He was most impressed by the sharp end of vintage steam travel and his first ever visit to Cornwall.
 
Captain Keizo was hosted by Mike Critchley of Maritime Books, Liskeard. Both Mike and Jimmy were young Lieutenants in the commando carrier HMS Bulwark 1970-72. 
 
Images L-R: Jimmy James, Mike Critchley, Keizo Kitagawa, Alan Tregaskes.

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