5th November 2019

5/11/2019

Don't forget this -
NEXT SATURDAY NOVEMBER 9th at 6.30PM
* GWR Camping Coach Holidays *
by Mike Fenton.
Mike makes a welcome return with his detailed study of the very popular network of camping coaches which provided inexpensive holidays beside the railway for thousands of families.
We are also promised another musical interlude provided by Mike and his wife, Rachel, playing the autoharp.

For details of our venue please click here
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STOP PRESS
Prideaux Wall Collapse - Newquay branch closure
Craig Munday

Please find attached some pictures taken on site at St Blazey from the recent Newquay line wall collapse. Balfour Beatty have constructed a road across from the main A390 road to the affected area of the embankment where the river has washed away. Due to the strength of the river (evident in picture 4) engineers have not been able to examine the scale of the erosion under the trackbed. The river will be diverted to run down the opposite side of the embankment (picture 16) onto the flood relief area, and a dam built to stop the flow. The recent high volumes of rainfall has hindered the work starting.

The massive pumps, cables and generators to run them can be seen in the selection, as well as trackbed which will need to be dug out.

Kind regards
Craig Munday -Many thanks for your report Craig.
Reference to Google Earth Prideaux is the area to the north of St Blazey Level Crossing, the problem area is approximately 300 yards the Newquay side of the crossing.
N.B. Permission has been granted to circulate these pictures Craig's own and local websites.
:- From your pictures Craig it is obvious that the Newquay branch will be out of commission for some time. No serious problem to passengers who are provided with buses from St Austell but obviously a serious impediment to clay exports from Rocks Drier.

Prideaux wall collapse. Picture 3 4th November 2019. Copyright Craig Munday.

Prideaux wall collapse. Picture 4 4th November 2019. Copyright Craig Munday.

Prideaux wall collapse. Picture 5 4th November 2019. Copyright Craig Munday. N.B. St Blazey Bridge Level Crossing in the distance. Signal SB1 can just be seen.