Par to Newquay. Excluding the clay branches

Credits, Many thanks to all contributors - please see a list on the home page.

*  St Blazey - for the depot and Par Harbour see separate section

Approaching Par

St Blazey Signalbox interior

Interior shots of St Blazey box. They include the CCTV equipment for Middleway & St Blazey bridge CCTV crossings, the block instrument to Par & Electric Token machine for the Single line to Goonbarrow.

Middleway Level Crossing

A heritage DMU, Newquay bound approaches Middleway crossing. The situation here was unusual in that beyond this location the line ran on a straight embankment turning to a slight right hand bend before St Blazey Bridge crossing. Either side of the embakment are watercourses, a stream on the left and to the right the former canal to Par harbour. Middleway signalbox lay on the far side of the stream with the various signalling cables carried on a bridge over the waterway. October 1977 Copyright Mike Roach

A view taken from the road on the west side of Middleway crossing. 8th May 1979 Copyright Mike Roach

It's evening in 1985 as a Newquay bound service leaves Middleway crossing and heads for St Blazey Bridge level crossing. As can be seen the signal for this crossing is pulled off so the gates are across the road. 1985 Copyright Mike Roach

St Blazey Bridge crossing

St Blazey Bridge Level Crossing on 4th July 1979. Here we see the unusual sight of 25 155 'propelling' a train of wagons towards Ponts Mill This rare event captured by Mike Roach Copyright

A passenger service from Newquay to Par rolls along near the junction for Ponts Mill on the 4th July 1979. Copyright Mike Roach. Note the girders spanning the waterway.

Luxulyan Valley

Luxulyan Bank. 5564 on the 4.25pm Par to Newquay FridaY 5 August 1960. Copyright Mike Roach

The same train continues its assault on the bank. The Treffry Aquadct is just out of the picture to the right. The weight limit for a 55xx loco unassisted was 160 tons from Par to Luxulyan. The 5 coaches shewn would have been right on the limit, or even just over. 5th August 1960 Copyright Mike Roach

In August 1960 the Treffry Aquaduct was nearly impassable, It is very different today. Copyright Mike Roach

A picture taken from a most unusual point - the base of the Treffry Aquaduct on Monday 16th April 1979 by Mike Roach as a DMU climbs the bank towards Luxulian tunnel. Getting to this point involved a rather hazardous traverse across boulders in a fast moving stream! Copyright

Luxulyan

Goonbarrow Junction

Signalman Roger Matthews leans out of the box window as 50 012 Benbow passes Goonbarrow Signalbox with a Newquay to Paddingon train - Summer 1987. Copyright Craig Munday N.B. Craig was officially visiting the box - the picture is taken from signal G24.

Peak 46021 accelerates away from Goonbarrow Jct in July 1977 Mike Roach had special permission to take this trackside picture. Copyright Mike Roach

Bugle

Bugle signalbox July 1969 Copyright Mike Roach

Molinnis level crossing with a service heading for Par July 1969 Copyright Mike Roach

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Bugle - taken in July 1977. Of interest is the clearly reballasted track towards Goonbarrow signalbox, this section was formerly double track from Goonbarrow to Roache but later the former down line was used solely for the Carbis branch. In this picture the Carbis branch clearly has not seen much traffic, not only is it rusty but there are signs of other activities on the railhead. The area to the left of the station is now occupied by a housing development close to the lineside. Note also post with a notice just before Molinnis Crossing. Copyright Mike Roach

Track circuits on the Newquay branch, on the left, on the left operated the barriers. This instruction applied to trains from the Carbis branch where the train crew would be required to operate the barriers manually. Picture taken in July 1977 by Mike Roach Copyright

47119 having slowly approached the crossing establishes it is safe to proceed and accelerates away. July 1977 Copyright Mike Roach

Par to Newquay with 5537 Nr Bugle MP 289 5th August 1960 Copyright Mike Roach

Roche

Roche station platform and shelter. This had until January 1965 been a passing place, on that date the box was closed and the loop and sidings taken out of use. This picture in June 1976. Copyright Mike Roach

Roche station pedestrian crossing in June 1976 Copyright Mike Roach

Demelza (Between Roche and the iron bridge)

In an area known as Demelza (Poldark connections!) 47119 with no less than 13 coaches on a local train. Taken in July 1977 by Mike Roach Copyright

A service from Newquay heads through the cutting towards Roche having and is passing under the second overbridge after the iron bridge. June 1976 Copyright Mike Roach

Peak 45052 with a substantial load of 12 coaches clears the high point of the line and starts to drop down towards Roche. Copyright Mike Roach

This service heading for Newquay in June 1976. The traffic on the old A30 is evident in the background. Copyright Mike Roach

Crossing Goss Moors and the iron bridge

Tregoss Moors Signal Box

St Dennis Junction

Not an unusual shot in those days, a DMU on its way to Par makes its way past the signalbox at St Dennis. The driver may be dropping his token over the horn, or maybe the signalman has left his box and is out of sight ready to exchange tokens. There was a very long loop here at one time. It was extended in 1921 to Tregoss Moor crossing however the double track section was shortened w.e.f. 3rd January 1965. This picture dated 10th August 1967. Copyright Roger Salter

St Columb Road

St Columb Signal Box 28th April 62 Taken on PRC rail tour. Copyright Mike Roach

Coswarth Level Crossing

They say that every picture tells a story, here is one that certainly does. It's June 1977 the lady standing in front of the cabin has closed the gates to road traffic, set the signals, and the 47 speeds past in a blur with a service Newquay bound. Copyright Mike Roach N.B. This is now an open crossing protected by flashing lights and there have been at least two serious incidents - motorists beware!

A recent view of the former crossing keepers cottage at Coswarth. Copyright Mike Roach

Coswarth tunnel

Quintrel Downs Platform

Quintrel Downs - an interesting study by Mike Roach The siding referred to was removd in January 1965. This picture June 76. Copyright

Detail of the platform lamp at Quintrel Downs. June 1976. Copyright Mike Roach

Trencreek Crossing

Newquay

Newquay Home signals 10th June 1978 Copyright Mike Roach

W55029 is seen at Newquay on 15th April 1972. Before the demolition of much of the original station and the reduction of the trackwork to one simple platform. Copyright Paul Cambridge

This view taken during an official visit to Newquay Signalbox in 1973 gives a good idea of the trackwork extent at the time. Copyright Roger Winnen

Newquay signalbox taken in May 1977. Sadly although it didn't have much of a future, it closed in 1987 and vandals aided its demolition by setting it on fire. Copyright Mike Roach

Newquay signalbox, Rarely does one think to take a view of the back of a signalbox, however in this case it is particularly rewarding as the view includes the track across Trenance viaduct. May 1977

An interesting view taken by Peter Butt. Newquay station 'under reduction'. Most of the goods yard was removed in 1965. Two of the carriage sidings in 1968 & two more in 1969 leaving just about what we see here. The signalbox remained open until 1987. It is of interest to note the number of clay hoods here in the remaining sidings - these were numbered 6 & 7. The position of the cream coloured house looking over the scene must have been a railway enthusiasts dream, the view must have extended to Tolcarne Junction. Copyright Peter Butt

Mike Roach records that there were more coaches than passengers for this train! The motive power was 47131 July 1977. Copyright Mike Roach N.B. The gas holder is another feature, long gone.

A DMU service waits to depart from a then, pretty complete station. July 1977 Copyright Mike Roach

Witnessing many of the changes at Newquay station is the Great Western Hotel. This fine building is seen here in May 1977 - the Queens Silver Jubilee Year. A fine picture by Mike Roach Copyright