Steam railway marks 40 years of operations

Railway enthusiasts have marked 40 years of operating steam trains with a special celebration in Cornwall.

Bodmin Railway marked four decades on Sunday since the first authorised train movements of the preservation era took place at its General Station in 1986. The railway still operates on more than 6.5 miles (10.4km) of heritage track.

Celebrations included live music, heritage vehicles and a "timeless spectacle" of working steam - and Cornish pasties and cream teas.

Volunteer Nick Wood said it was important to keep the history alive for the younger generation.

He said: "There are quite a number of young people now coming down here and volunteering because they want to be a part of it, whether they're in the workshop, driving engines, working on the platform - this is so good for young people.

"It's everything that we do - it's young people, older people with memories keeping tradition alive, keeping the experience alive and let's just hope that we're able to continue to do that."

Operations manager Chris Hatton said the celebrations were "fantastic" for "enthusiasts, locals and visitors alike".

He said: "We are incredibly proud to play our part in preserving the legacy of this incredible line that played such an important role in Cornwall's history, keeping it alive for future generations."

Martyn and Jeremy Blackwell have been volunteering at the station since it opened in 1986.

"It's flown by, I don't know where it's gone to be honest," Martyn said.

"I think with the younger guys we've got here... is the next generation taking it on from us, so I think it's in good hands."

"I just love railways and this was a way of getting into railways without working on the railways and sort of loved it so been here ever since, drove the diesels now work on them," his brother added.

Will Dingle started volunteering at the age of 14. Now aged 21, he said he was "one of the lucky four" to work in the workshop. He said he was "certainly living the dream".

"We've got such a brilliant team - it's certainly a positive future."

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