“This is Carbis Bay: alight here for the G7 Summit”

News that Prime Minister Boris Johnson shares a love of trains with new US President Joe Biden presents them with a classic bonding opportunity when the two men get together in June for the G7 Summit of world leaders.

Johnson’s choice of venue – the Carbis Bay Hotel – stands just below Carbis Bay station on the delightful St. Ives branch, so giving the two world leaders an opportunity to sample the scenic delights of the 4¼-mile line.

Having spent a couple of delightful holidays at the Carbis Bay Hotel in 2018 and 2019, I can highly recommend that Johnson and Biden take some time out from world affairs during their stay, invest in a £4.00 St Ives Bay Day Ranger ticket and take in the breath-taking scenery!

Beginning their VIP journey at St. Erth they will no doubt appreciate the sense of history at Britain’s most south-westerly junction, with its well-preserved station building, signal box and semaphore signalling (photo above).

Less than a mile into their journey they will pass the former park & ride stop at Lelant Saltings (above) before reaching their first stop at Lelant (1 mile). From here on to Carbis Bay (3 miles) the South-West coastal path runs within sight of the railway, and offers good view of passing trains (below).

Once back at their conference hotel, those with a rear (inland) view can glimpse passing trains as they approach Carbis Bay (above), while a short walk from the hotel towards St Ives brings you to a footbridge over the line, from which you can look back towards the hotel and the village of Carbis Bay (bel0w).

Completing their short rail trip at the famous seaside terminus, Messrs. Johnson and Biden will be treated to some fabulous view of the town and its harbour, as seen above and below. It may not quite be Amtrak in its scale, but for “Amtrak Joe” it is a journey not to be missed!!