The Trenance Valley branch which only survived from 1920 to 6th May, 1968 has always intrigued me as I rode on the last train back in 1968. The fare that day was £3 which covered a whole days tour on a single bubble car, and covered as well as the Trenance Valley, Fowey, Pinnock Tunnel, Retew and other Clay Lines. With a vehicle only able to seat 65 the expenses must have been more than the total income. However a good day was had by us all.
On today's walk I enjoyed the good hospitality of Joanna & Chris Cocks from Bojea Mill who gave up their valuable time for a tour of their site of which I thank them very much.
On today's walk I enjoyed the good hospitality of Joanna & Chris Cocks from Bojea Mill who gave up their valuable time for a tour of their site of which I thank them very much.
I started my walk from St Austell station. Here we see a down HST service departing passing the former British Railways Staff Association Club in the former goods yard. 1st March 2014 Copyright RW
The first noteable building one comes across are the former Carlyon Farm Kilns connected by rail being a latecomer to the railway scene. 1st March 2014 Copyright Roger Winnen
Rail still survives between the trees and the steps. Copyright Roger Winnen
This was the site of Bojea Sidings. The loading bank on the left. 1st March 2014 Copyright Roger Winnen
Looking back towards St Austell the loading bank can clearly be seen. 1st March 2014 Copyright Roger Winnen
The bridge abutments which carried the line over the St Austell-Bodmin Road at Trethowel. 1st March 2014 Copyright Roger Winnen
Please note that the preservation site at Lower Ruddle is on Private Land and that it was only though the kindness of Chris and Joanne Cock's owners of this site and the nearby Bojea Mill that Roger Winnen was allowed to visit - he obtained express permission to take photographs for the Cornwall Railway Society Website. Many thanks to Chris and Joanne.
These are the original rails in situ at Lower Ruddle. 1st March 2014 Copyright Roger Winnen
Siphon G 1025 Built 1951 stands on the original track at Lower Ruddle. 1st March 2014 Copyright Roger Winnen
This Siphon G brings back memories as many were seen on the TPO , Newspaper and Parcels Trains. 1st March 2014 Copyright Roger Winnen
Joanne Cocks shows the interior of the siphon, which as can be seen is undergoing extensive and high quality interior refurbishment. 1st March 2014
A classic GWR Fruit D 92004 Built 10 years after nationalisation in 1958 Copyright Roger Winnen 1st March 2014
A former Great Western Toad guards van. 1st March 2014 Copyright Roger Winnen
The later design of the Guards Van introduced by the LMS and BR at the site. Copyright Roger Winnen
The original terminus at Lansalson was alongside this road. The wall on the right was once much higher as it formed the backing for a platform or wharf from which clay was loaded into wagons. The platform surface was cobbled. 1st March 2014 Copyright Roger Winnen
Ruddlemoor Valliage Green - the sign tells the story very much complimented by the picture taken by Peter Gray of a PRC railtour 1962. This picture 1st March 2014 Copyright Roger Winnen.
An enlargement of the photograph on the sign above which is of course the copyright of Peter Gray. This railtour features in the CRS coverage of steam railtours elsewhere on this site.