Falmouth Docks

Falmouth Docks

Julian Stephens writes:- In July 1996, Celtic Energy carried out a small number of trials (4 I believe) by delivering coal in containers to Falmouth Docks. The wagons came to Cornwall and left in the consist of normal freight workings. They were tripped from St. Blazey or Burngullow to Falmouth Docks from where the coal was transported by road to Redruth.
I have no idea what the logic behind this experiment was, nor its outcome. The trains ran at twilight time after the passing of the Up Postal. More pictures of this working at Crugwallins and Penmere and also of the working on 9th July 96 at St Austell & Par.

Falmouth Docks cranes witness 37 671 lowering a trial train of coal wagons down the short but steep connecting line to the docks 7th July 1996. This train ran after the last passenger train had reached Truro, hence the poor light. However this is a record of a unique event. Copyright Julian Stephens

Paul Stanford writes - I really liked the photo of the class 37, at Falmouth on coal, in 1996. I have some further details, EWS Business Manager Dave Israel did a deal to supply a coal merchant in Cornwall, for homes still using solid fuel for heating. Four wheel loaded coal container wagons were moved on the Irvine Burgullow clay slurry train, being attached in AD Jn Newport. I think the coal came from Coedbach in West Wales. The containers were lifted off the rail wagons in the docks. I recollect EWS St Blazey Rail Services Manager Huw Philips drove the lorry from the docks to the coal merchant, moving the loaded containers, as he had an HGV licence. Thanks again, Paul Stanford

More Falmouth Docks by Nigel Tambling

More Falmouth Docks by the late Theo Beckett

Falmouth Docks - views of steam from on high - Castle Drive. Many thanks to Sid Sponheimer for these almost aerial views.

Falmouth Docks - steam from Castle Drive. In foreground is theQueen Elizabeth Dry dock. The waters of Carrick Roads lie beyond with the fields of Roseland beyond. Copyright The late Sid Sponheimer

Moving slightly further up Castle Drive of the smaller Dry Dock alongside the Queen Elizabeth Dock. There is ample evidence of use of the railway system with box vans being used to carry materials to the place of work. Copyright The late Sid Sponheimer

A quick move still further up Castle Drive catches the locomotive still moving slowly. Copyright the late Sid Sponheimer

Famouth Docks - more of the Sid Sponheimer Collection
All the following pictures were taken on a visit on 3rd March 1964

A view from the docks of steam at work, the locomotive dwarfed by the cliff, atop which is Castle Drive. Castle Drive gives a familiar and popular public viewpoint over the docks. Copyright The late Sid Sponheimer

Falmouth Docks
- pictures taken during the last few months - Spring 1987 by David Hibberd

Number 3 in the company of the yard diesel shunter. Spring 1986 Copyright David Hibberd.

A typical dockyard scene alongside the high cliff on top of which climbs Castle Drive we see No. 3 with a pair of trucks, the nearest one has a buffer missing, passing a large propeller. Spring 1986 Copyright David Hibberd.

Falmouth Docks in the Spring of 1986 No. 3 stands at the shed. David Hibberd

The works plate of number 3. Seen at the docks in the Spring of 1986. Copyright David Hibberd

A nice shot of number 3 moving its replacement against a backgound of Trefusis Point. Taken in the Spring of 1986 by David Hibberd. Copyright

Looking down on the docks from Castle Drive during the spring of 1986. Copyright David Hibberd.

Number 3 propelling the diesel shunter - seen from Castle Drive. Spring 1986 Copyright David Hibberd

Pictures taken during the refurbishment of number 6 in 1996. David Hibberd

Falmouth Docks No 6 Steam Peckett loco Alongside number 2 dock 1996 Copyright David Hibberd

Falmouth docks bids farewell to steam
Last Day Pictures by Julian Stephens and David Hibberd

Falmouth Dock No. 3 Last day Copyright 23rd Aug 1986 Julian Stephens

And finally on the vary last day of steam we see No.3 alongside Castle Drive Cliff. 23rd August 1986 Copyright David Hibberd

Naming Ceremony of D821 at the docks

At the end of March 2001, D821 became Cornwall. The locomotive was twinned with the Royal Navy ship at Falmouth Docks which saw the return of a Warship to Cornwall. The loco was hauled to Falmouth by preserved Class 50, D449, as D821 is not main line certified (yet!) and later attended the Bodmin & Wenford Railway diesel gala. For further details click here http://www.westernchampion.co.uk/loco-d821-history-pres.php We are lucky that David Hibberd was employed by Marconi Marine at the docks at the time and was able to obtain the pictures below which he has kindly allowed us to publish.

D821 stands just inside the dock gates for the naming ceremony seen here on the 24th March 2001. Copyright David Hibberd

Looking immaculate D821 Greyhound, bearing the temporary nameplate of Cornwall stands at the docks. It is almost out of sight from Castle Drove. 24th March 2001 Copyright Davis Hibberd

Frustrated by undergrowth the view from Castle Drive of D821 at the docks was rather limited. 24th March 2001. Copyright Roger Winnen.

Viewed from a passenger train which has just departed from Falmouth Docks we see D449 with the support coach standing on the docks branch. 24th March 2001. Copyright Roger Winnen

Two days previously, on the 22nd March 2001 D449 with D821 in tow waits to depart Truro for Falmouth Docks. Copyright Roger Winnen

Still Rail Movement on the Falmouth Docks System?

Signs of recent rail movement? Many thanks for your pictures Phil

Speaking to Nigel Tregonning steam carried on after August 1986 when the final train ran for enthusiasts. Some shunting of internal traffic was carried out by a 0-4-0 Sentinal Diesel which was later sold to Henry Orchard dealers at St Austell in 1995. Nigel tells me that steam carried on to possibly 1989, however all rail traffic had ceased in the docks by April 1995