Welcome to FIRE & STEAM: celebrating the Bodmin & Wadebridge Railway
“The Cuckoo Valley Railway”
This unique little railway was one of the earliest steam railways to open in the UK, launching in 1834.
Built first to solve a local need, it brought the age of steam roaring noisily into North Cornwall - and helped change its industry, life and work for good.
Immortalised in print by Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch as the “Cuckoo Valley Railway” and later described by Sir John Betjeman as “the most beautiful train journey I know”, this inspiring little railway was initially created to haul rich estuary sand up to Bodmin moor to help improve the land for agriculture.
Although the branch line ultimately closed to passengers in 1967, freight in 1978 and the Wenford branch line in 1983, the impacts of this amazing little pioneer railway can still be felt and seen.
A pioneering railway
The Bodmin steam railway still runs a heritage service on part of the old line since taking it over in the 1980s, while the Camel Trail offers leisure use on the remainder for cyclists, horses, walkers and wheelchair users, but the old line still survives in living memory in Wadebridge, Padstow and area. Many of the older generation who live here remember taking the train for school or work in Bodmin when younger. We hope to document some of those memories and be able to share them with future generations via an oral history element on this website.
The FIRE & STEAM arts & heritage project has been conceived and delivered by Wadebridge Creative Hub with its project partners, and funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Arts Council England and FEAST, to share the fascinating and inspiring heritage of this wonderful local railway with new audiences.
It has done this through a host of community arts & heritage events and workshops, new displays and resources, as well as the devellopment of this website and accompanying printed guide.
Do follow the links below or via the menu to find out more about the FIRE & STEAM Heritage Trail, the history, the wider project, and to access some of our free project resources - more of which will be added over time.
You can also email us at contact@fireandsteam.org.uk
Do you have a story to tell about this railway? We would love to hear from you!
History
Heritage Trail
Explore the sites and visitor attractions in North Cornwall where you can see and experience more of this exciting steam rail heritage
Resources
Special project resources including a free-to-download cross-curricular Key Stage 1 Teaching pack, and Family fun activity sheets
Project Information
More information on the wider FIRE & STEAM project. its ambitions, activities, outputs and outcomes, including twin BikeLights events in 2019