Mickey Mouse 41312 arrives at Bodmin

The first preservation-era visit of a ‘Mickey Mouse’ tank to the Bodmin & Wenford Railway (BWR) has happened by chance.

In BR days, some of the class was shedded at Wadebridge, and were regular visitors to Bodmin North. With the BWR’S sole working steam locomotive, Austerity 0-6-0ST 75178, due for servicing and a washout, the call went out for the return of GWR 0-6-0PT 4612, on hire to the Mid-hants Railway (MHR).

As the MHR wanted to retain 4612 “a little longer”, it offered LMS Ivatt 2-6-2T 41312 from its own fleet for three weeks until 4612 returns.

The BWR’S ‘reserve’ loco, GWR 0-6-0PT 6435, is awaiting re-tubing.