Clay Hoods and Wenfordbridge 1980
Andrew and Diane Jones
Andrew and Diane Jones
Dear Keith and Valerie, inspired by a recent article by Neil Phillips, please find two attached photographs of the once common China Clay Hoods at Wenfordbridge in 1980.
Sources put production by BR at anything from 500 to 875 wagons, the earliest 300 being unfitted for a short while. (Confusion probably exists due to earlier designs)
With an overall length of 16 feet 6 inches and a wheel base of just nine feet they were relatively small and designed to be lifted and turned on semi automatic unloading equipment at Fowey docks.
The famous clay hood was a patented design introduced before WW1 and known as the ‘Williams Sheet Rail’.
ECLP operated a dedicated wagon repair shop at St Blazey and most of the wagons were rebuilt many times over. The simplicity of design and interchangeability proved their reliability and availability serving the many clay branch lines. The Wenfordbridge Line, in particular with its tight clearances could not have operated anything larger.
Operating cost savings and competition from road haulage eventually forced the withdrawal of these versatile wagons and by 1987 they had virtually disappeared being replace by a much smaller fleet of the CDA wagons still in use today.
I have also included a photograph of the truncated Wenfordbridge line looking towards the closed depot and the De Lank incline.
Wenfordbridge clay dries was built early in the 20th century utilising the existing granite quarry line, (but not the incline) to serve Stannon Pit on Bodmin Moor which piped liquified clay to the dries, only closing in 2002.
Best wishes Andrew and Diane Jones
Sources put production by BR at anything from 500 to 875 wagons, the earliest 300 being unfitted for a short while. (Confusion probably exists due to earlier designs)
With an overall length of 16 feet 6 inches and a wheel base of just nine feet they were relatively small and designed to be lifted and turned on semi automatic unloading equipment at Fowey docks.
The famous clay hood was a patented design introduced before WW1 and known as the ‘Williams Sheet Rail’.
ECLP operated a dedicated wagon repair shop at St Blazey and most of the wagons were rebuilt many times over. The simplicity of design and interchangeability proved their reliability and availability serving the many clay branch lines. The Wenfordbridge Line, in particular with its tight clearances could not have operated anything larger.
Operating cost savings and competition from road haulage eventually forced the withdrawal of these versatile wagons and by 1987 they had virtually disappeared being replace by a much smaller fleet of the CDA wagons still in use today.
I have also included a photograph of the truncated Wenfordbridge line looking towards the closed depot and the De Lank incline.
Wenfordbridge clay dries was built early in the 20th century utilising the existing granite quarry line, (but not the incline) to serve Stannon Pit on Bodmin Moor which piped liquified clay to the dries, only closing in 2002.
Best wishes Andrew and Diane Jones
Wenfordbridge dries, Hoods being loaded for onward shipment to Fowey. Copyright Andrew & Diane Jones
The truncated Wenfordbridge branch. It was from here it was once proposed to link to Camelford. Copyright Andew & Diane Jones
As far north as you could go in Cornwall by rail in 1980. Copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
Many thanks to both Andrew and Diane for your steady supply of very interesting items.
Paignton
Paul Barlow
Paul Barlow
Paignton 45004 Royal Irish Fusilier to work 1805 to Swindon (Summer only) This train ran non stop from Dawlish to Bridgwater 30th August 1979. Copyright Paul Barlow
Another from your large collection many thanks to you Paul.