Bringing The Beattie Home!

We are so excited to announce that in the next few weeks we will see the return of the 149-year-old London and South Western Railway 2-4-0T No. 30587, back at Bodmin Railway! Synonymous with the local china clay traffic on the Bodmin and Wadebridge Railway, this loco is an iconic survivor of our heritage and has been deeply missed since its return to York.

After many months of negotiation, we are pleased to announce a new partnership between Bodmin Railway and the National Railway Museum, where the loco is currently exhibited. The agreement will see 30587 move from York to Bodmin on an initial 3-year static loan agreement, which we hope will lead to an overhaul and running agreement in the future. But for now, we are just delighted to have the Beattie back at Bodmin. The loco will be displayed on Platform 2 on selected days over the next 3 years and be housed under cover in the running shed the rest of the time.

A locomotive that once was transported to Bodmin via sea can now take an easier route by road, but of course this will come at a cost. With the move first requiring the extraction of the well tank from York via the mainline, it is estimated the move will cost around £7,000, and therefore we need your help!

To help bring her home, we have set up a fundraising appeal, which we hope many will get behind.

Click the link below to donate directly to this appeal and help us get the Beattie back on Cornish rails once again.

https://www.paypal.com/donate?campaign_id=8K42YEL9JHFWW

If anyone wishes to donate in a different way, please contact us via email ‘[email protected]’ or give us a call on 01208 73555.