St Blazey Depot and Par Harbour.

St Blazey Depot
and Par Harbour

If you do not see what you want try :-

Go to the Links page and select Cornwall Centre, then on their home page select 'Cornwall Image Bank'. There is a selection of photographs by John Vaughan, Arthur Trevan, George Ellis and others.

A most interesting video clip from YouTube. Andrew Jones writes :- I came across this short, but lovely film clip on Youtube of ‘Judy’ working at Par docks in 1966 and unusually an interesting shot of the railway on the other side of the main road. https://youtu.be/HYKwC13YrK8

A super shot of Judy passing under the main line, also shots of a steam railtour to the docks. Many thanks Andrew

An excellent view from a Castle Air helicopter showing Par station - the double track to St Blazey - the depot and sidings. Copyright Nick Trudgian.

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I had hoped to catch the JIA’s being loaded at Par Harbour (they swapped days with the Treviscoe trip this week) but arrived too late for this. But with the sun out and 3 locos visible on shed, I grabbed some pictures of the yard instead.

The RHTT is being serviced half in/half out the shed, 66102 is awaiting a path to take the JIA’s to Exeter Riverside, and if you look really closely you’ll see 66165 on the fuelling point too. The first time I’ve managed to get 3 locos in a photo at St. Blazey for a few years.

A shot looking the other way towards the harbour also included, not so much railway interest in this one but there are bits and pieces there which may draw some interest - work being done on the road around the crossing, the old fowey branch (now a haul road for lorries) and the Cornish mainline cutting across the scene.

Hope they’re of interest.

All the best, Jon

St Blazey from the south. 16th November 2023. Copyright Jon Hird

St Blazey and Par Harbour looking from the north. 16th November 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.

St Blazey from the south (2) . 16th November 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.

Now lets look at a most unusual working - the movement of the CDA's going for preservation.

CDA delivery to Par Docks. 6th December 2023. Copyright Jon Hird.

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A nicely stitched wide view of St Blazey Depot from the road in 1995. That looks like the popular Chocolate and Cream resting in the siding. Picture by the late Sid Sponheimer - Copyright.

Alfred at the 1970 St Blazey Open Day. Copyright Roger Winnen

D4007 and 1363 at the 1970 St Blazey Open Day. Copyright Roger Winnen

St Blazey, very quiet during the rail strike 8th March 1973 - Copyright Sid Sponheimer

St Blazey - 43137 outside the shed on the 12th November 1986. Julian writes - 'I understand that while working east from Bodmin Parkway the hST lost traction and came to a stop . 50 008 Thunderer was summoned to assist and, working wrong line to couple up, lost adhesion and was in collision with the power car. Copyright Julian Stephens.

A lovely pictures from the Mike Morant collection. The picture of Metro 3591 at St Blazey. SBZ always had a Metro for the Fowey auto. I believe the last one went in about 1949. A note from Rot Hart

Fireman Roger Tabb St Blazey Shed. 1957 Copyright Roger Tabb

Roger Tabb left and Kerrry Batchelor at St Blazey Shed. 1960's Copyright Roger Tabb

Rodger Tabb crewed up with Ron Retallack. Seen here at Fowey Copyright Roger Tabb.

Roger Tabb - Started work for British Railways as a cleaner at St Blazey shed at the age of fifteen and a half. Before long he was riding up and down the yard adjacent to the depot acting as fireman but he was not allowed to go out beyond the depot precincts and yard until he was 18. National service took him away from Cornwall for two years army service where, after training his duties took him to the Suez canal region during the troubles out there. He returned to Cornwall and to St Blazey, however he was soon to leave the Duchy again for eighteen months gaining experience as a fireman in the Bristol area where he worked at Bath Road and St Phillips Marsh depots. Returning to St Blazey he has many pleasant memories of his duties there which included firing turns on all of the local clay branches as well as the Looe branch. Passenger work took him along the Newquay branch and around to Perranporth and as far east as Laira shed and west right down to Penzance.

The ‘Beeching cuts’ and dieselisation saw an end to his railway career at the age of 30 in 1962. He had no time for the 63’s – the class 22 diesels, or for that matter for the Westerns – they were noisy. You can’t beat a Castle he said! He then worked for a while at Fowey Docks but was pleased to get a ‘golden handshake’, leaving there, to become self employed as a fisherman working out of his home village of Golant.

Many thanks to Roger Geach who provided this comprehensive list of the motive power at St Blazey on the three open days held in 1969, 70 & 71.

3rd May 1969
1675
1023
824/831
7041
6322 /6319/6307/6308/6348
4007/4009/3517/3526
Steam 1363
Alfred from Par docks

2nd May 1970

4009/4008/4007/3526
6312/ 6323/ 6337
845/807
154
1010
7014
A three car DMU
Steam 1363
Alfred from Par docks

1st May 1971

1596/1673
1069 Western Vanguard & 1020 Western Hero
806/854/855
6330
4007/4009/
6309/6312/6319/6326/6330/6333/6338
Steam 1363
Alfred from Par docks

806 and 6330 were giving rides in the yard.

Taken on a 'shed bash' by John Cornelius. Copyright

St Blazey 1015 County of Gloucester abt 1953 Copyright Roy Hart

The date is about 1953 and 1015 County of Gloucester is 'on the blocks' at Par Bridge Crossing box, having coaled and watered at the shed in the background. She was a Laira engine at the time and had probably come in on a special to Newquay and was awaiting her return trip. The track in the foreground is the single line to Fowey and the box and level crossing are behind the photographer. This line is still there today as a siding to Par docks. Apart from a short-lived experiment in the summer of 1960, 'Counties' were not shedded at St Blazey. Notice that bracket signals were painted entirely white: this was the GWR practice. The Western Region painted the gantry work black.
Copyright Roy Hart Many thanks Roy

St Blazey Open Day 3rd May 1969

Steam returns to Cornwall 7029 coming off St Blazey shed 6th September 1985 Copyright Trevor Tremethick

Cornwall's first Class 25, D5180, arrived at St Blazey on Friday July 30 1971. This photo was taken at the depot on Monday August 16. A Leeds Holbeck 55A shed plate is still attached to the cabside below the works plate, despite the 'Ebbw Junction' stickers on all four corners.

On St Blazey shed

On St Blazey shed on 2nd August 1957 is seen W9029 From the collection of the late Jon Wood Copyright.

Parked very near coach W9029 was 4552 seen here again on the 2nd August 1957 . Copyright the late Jon Wood Collection,

An interlude at St Blazey - by Collin Moss

L - R..... 37 247 / 37 273 / 37181 / 37185 / 37 307 at the end of their day's duties , St. Blazey Roundhouse , 8 / 84 37 247 was destined to return to BZ as refurbished 37 671 " Tre Pol and Pen " ; 37 273 became 37/4 37 410 / 37 181 became refurbished 37 687 ; 37 185 never carried another tops number; 37 307 became 37 403 Copyright Colin Moss

37101 being turned for bed is the title of this shot. 11th August 1985. 37 101 .... in a refreshing use of traction in the days of pre sectorization, 37 101 worked the 11.04 Derby – Plymouth relief, throughout , on Saturday 11th August 1985. The Gateshead allocated loco then ran light to St. Blazey to augment the then busy clay traffic, before working another relief ex Plymouth , to Yorkshire the following Friday. Copyright Colin Moss

37 193 ...... Not content with one visitor from the north east, 37 193 ,complete with Thornaby embellishments, is on shed at BZ, alongside 37 101 ... 37 193 had worked in on an unknown freight flow. The loco had been working off Bristol the previous month, so presumably, Thornaby were not in any great hurry to have a return homewards. 15th August 1985 Copyright Colin Moss

Doyen of the fleet , D6700 / 37 350 has arrived on St. Blazey. My attempts to have her ‘ fixed ‘ for the Moorswater trip did not reach fruition. Instead, she returned north paired on 6M72 Burngullow – Cliffe Vale, running at dusk about 170 miniutes late. May 1999

Instead of D6700 , I got 37 505 ( 028 ) “ British Steel Workington ” arriving at Moorswater Copyright Colin Moss

37 412 , newly arrived at St. Blazey, and still bestowed with “ Loch Lomond “ nameplates and Scotty dog logo. August 1989 Copyright Colin Moss

37 671 was, rather strangely, incorrectly applied with metals sector decals. This error was quickly corrected on arrival at her new Cornish home – I say ‘ new ‘, she had previously worked here as 37 247, and with the legend ‘ Cornish Railways’ applied. The correct decals should have been railfreight distribution. Copyright Colin Moss

37 175 , newly arrived after transfer from Eastfield, Glasgow, following West Highland Line work, and still adorned with head lamp. The loco has been fitted with CP7 bogies for trialling on the Cornish branches. This experiment was deemed a success, and a subsequent sub class of 37/ 3 was designated. Being turned on St Blazey turntable. May 1986 Copyright Colin Moss

Recalling the days of sectorization , mainline liveried ‘ heavy weight ’ 37 803 ( 37 208 ) has worked onto St. Blazey shed after depositing air braked wagons from up country in the yard. Saturday 20th August, 1994. Copyright Colin Moss

August 1989, 50 149 ( 049 ) “ Defiance “ reposed between duties on BZ. This was during the short lived period when this now preserved loco passed to the freight sector for trialling with different gearing and traction motors. Working was mainly concentrated on clay traffic in Cornwall. Note the ‘ general user’ decals and unusual yellow nameplate. Copyright Colin Moss

37196 catches some sun whilst stabled at St Blazey during the wonderful snow fall of Feb 1986. Copyright Craig Munday

Two 63's stand at the turntable awaiting their next turn of duty. 1965 Copyright Eric Curnow Collection

St Blazey The RHTT rests a while before setting out on its ardous overnight schedule. 10th October 2015 Copyright Craig Munday

70802 St Blazey Shed 5th December 2015 Copyright Craig Munday

St Blazey Turntable Restoration - Neil Phillips.

I saw Peter Anthony’s request for an update on the restoration of St Blazey turntable. Since I live just up the road I have been monitoring ‘progress’ and things are happening, but slowly. The table itself is regularly moved, as I noted again this afternoon (Sunday 8th May 2022) while taking these photos. I usually call in on Sundays when out for some exercise but I’ll have to pay a few random mid-week visits to see if I can catch somebody ‘in the act’!

The most noticeable change in recent weeks has been the clearance of vegetation from the west end and this has revealed the rails of a long-hidden road off the turntable – looking at the photo of 37101 (presumably taken in the early-mid 1980s) these may be the rails seen curving away beyond the turntable in the right distance, but impeded access, parked vehicles and other developments now make it difficult to be sure. Due to recent ivy growth over these rails once again making them hard to see I have included two views taken on 6th March. I wonder what last used them and when.....?

Best regards,
Neil Phillips

St Blazey Turntable progress report 1. Sunday 8th May 2022 Copyright Neil Phillips.

St Blazey Turntable progress report 2. Sunday 8th May 2022 Copyright Neil Phillips.

St Blazey Turntable progress report 3. Sunday 8th May 2022 Copyright Neil Phillips.

St Blazey Turntable progress report 4. Sunday 8th May 2022 Copyright Neil Phillips.

St Blazey Turntable progress report 5. Sunday 8th May 2022 Copyright Neil Phillips.

Many thanks Neil.

Turntable Test - a great day
22nd April 2023. Craig Munday

Hi Keith
A historic event today at St Blazey depot. The work to restore the turntable to working use by MP Kernow has reached a successful milestone with the testing of two wagons, and then a 126 ton class 66. All went well and it is hoped for interesting visitors in the near future!

All the best, Craig Munday.

The two wagon turntable test - 22nd April 2023. Copyright Craig Munday.

66131 goes for a spin. 22nd April 2023. Copyright Craig Munday.

66131 tests the turntable 22nd April 2023. Copyright Craig Munday.

Many thanks Craig.

St Blazey shed- Looking back to 1989 Mike Gregory

Mainly of benefit to modellers - Mike Gregory gained permission to look around the former steam shed at St Blazey and took a number of photographs.

The above sketch plan by Mike Gregory shows the locations from which the photographs were taken.

All images Copyright Mike Gregory.

Thanks to you Mike we have a record.

Par Harbour

66131 shunting at Par Harbour Copyright Mark Lynam

66131 approaches Par Bridge level crossing after loading 8 JIA wagons at the Harbour.. Copyright Mark Lynam

A fine shot of Class 22 D6338. taken from Par Bridge Level Crossing on 6 Nov 1971. This was just days before the final switch off on 31Dec1971 on Copyright Paul Cambridge

66528 parked at St Blazey Gate 26th February 2022. Copyright Craig Munday. A charming scene with the crossing keepers cottage.

66149 stops the traffic at Par Harbour level crossing Copyright Craig Munday taken Mid March 2016

A Gem of a picture taken from Five Arches bridge. This bridge carries the GW main line over the short St Blazey Yard to Par Harbour branch at this location, Here we see a 63xx in charge of an assorted rake of wagon. Copyright H.J. Ashman FRP. Adrian Vaughan Collection

The text on the photo of the 22 leaving Par Docks indicate that today this is not a frequent event. I just wanted to clarify that currently JIA wagons are loaded at Par every week, usually on a Wednesday morning (at around 08:00). I hope that this helps potential photographers. Regards Andrew Keast
Thank you Andrew.

We see 6806 Blackwell Grange crossing 5 arches bridge. Included in this most interesting view is Par Bridge Signal box. This box which closed on the 6th October 1968 controlled traffic to and from the harbour and also the line from St Blazey to Fowey. Evidence of the position of the 'Fowey line' is the smoke stained arch to the right. Copyright Peter Barlow, Adrian Vaughan Collection

Alfred at Par. May 1970 Copyright the late John Vines

Alfred outside the depot 2 August 1957 Copyright Late Jon Wood Collection

Par Sentinel 2Aug57 Copyright Jon Wood Collection.jpg

PAR HARBOUR 1967 WITH ALFRED Copyright- PAUL WALKEY

PAR HARBOUR COPYRIGHT PAUL WALKEY COLLECTION

PAR HARBOUR (2) C-RIGHT PAUL WALKEY COLLECTION

PAR HARBOUR (3) COPYRIGHT PAUL WALKEY COLLECTION

For Very Rare film footage of Judy passing under the main line at Par Docks please click here. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HYKwC13YrK8

Par HARBOUR 1 66023 9th September 2017 Copyright Craig Munday

Par HARBOUR 2 66023 9th September 2017 Copyright Craig Munday

I wonder if anyone in your Society can help me with a query.
I have recently acquired an old photograph, scan attached. Written on the back is “Three employees of St Blazey Carriage and Wagon Works at the door with Churchward’s notice warning employees against ‘throwing bread, etc. ’ 21st July 1960.”

Sadly the actual wording of the great man’s instructions is illegible and seeking to enhance the original has failed to reveal it. I wonder if anyone knows of the notice and where I might track down the wording – or even another image?

Many thanks. Regards, Graham Thorne. Publications Secretary & Journal Editor. Trevithick Society

An extract from an article by Andrew and Diane Jones on China Clay
concerning in particular Par Docks

Each day that goes by seems to get more and more complicated, if only we could all be whisked back to the 1980’s!
Please find a collection of photographs from 1983 and 2005.
Moving on, I have included photographs of Par Docks and Par Moor in 2005, the rails had been concreted over in the vicinity of the docks but much of the clay infrastructure was still in use and even in 2005 ‘Western Excavating’ logo’s and ‘ECC International’ logo’s, companies closed during the French takeover could still be seen. The four stack rotary dryer which for decades was a landmark for many miles is smoking away. (again long gone!).
Par Docks was rail connected to the processing dryers at Par Moor, but due to a very low bridge under the main road it required the use of two WG Bagnall shunters named ‘Alfred and Judy’ adapted with lowered cabs.
Par Moor was a substantial complex and I have attached photographs of the dryers and proximity to the mainline. Rails were embedded in the concrete and much of the redundant equipment was still in place, even in 2005.
As the years go by more and more of the Clay industry’s heritage disappears and although at the time I considered if it was particularly interesting, I am very glad I continued to operate the camera.

Very best wishes Andrew and Diane

Photograph 1 Par Docks showing proximity of the Cornwall mainline and working chimney 2005. Copyright Andrew & Diane Jones

Photograph 2 Par Docks the ECC international logo formed from the original ECLP logo. Copyright Andrew & Diane Jones

Photograph 3 Par Moor trackwork last used in steam days by Alfred and Judy resident shunters. Copyright Andrew & Diane Jones

Many thanks to Andrew and Diane for this article.

Sunrise at Par Harbour and St Blazey 5th February 2020
Craig Munday takes an early morning jaunt to view an astonishing sunrise.

On the 5th February 2020 the arrival and shunting of 66154 at St Blazey occurred under a wonderful morning sky illumination - pre-sunrise. I grabbed some shots of the shunting and trip down to Par Harbour. The shots have been put through Lightroom, but I wanted to capture the colours in the sky as well as the train. The Par Harbour trip is notoriously difficult to photograph with the train times and light at that time of the morning, so this was a bit different.

Best wishes, Craig Many thanks Craig.

66154 at Par Harbour under an amazing sky. 5th February 2020. Copyright Craig Munday.

Looking towards St Blazey under the stunning sky. 5th February 2020. Copyright Craig Munday.

66154 waits at the gates. 5th February 2020. Copyright Craig Munday.

66154 back at St Blazey beneath a fading glory. 5th February 2020. Copyright Craig Munday.

66125 at Par harbour 6V99 25th August 2021. Copyright Craig Munday

66125. at Par Harbour The crew are seen alongside the loco, Driver Ian Rocket Stephenson Danny Lawers & Dave Blandford. 25th August 2021 Copyright Craig Munday