The last day on the clay
Jon Hird, Tony Shore, Sam Sheldrick & Mark Lynam
Tuesday 31st March 2026 marked the end of a long chapter in Cornish railway history, as DB Cargo UK operated its final Imerys china clay service to Fowey. From the following day, responsibility for these flows would pass to GB Railfreight, signalling a new era for the long-established traffic.
The duty fell to locomotive 66168. At midday, it hauled 6G09 from Goonbarrow to Fowey, tracing a route long synonymous with Cornwall’s clay industry and its connection to the national rail network. Later that evening, the same locomotive returned at the head of 6G06, conveying the empty wagons back from Fowey.
With its work complete, 66168 then departed in the dark light engine for Westbury, drawing a quiet close to DB Cargo’s involvement in this historic flow. The occasion marked not just the end of an operational contract, but the conclusion of a long and distinctive period in the region’s industrial and railway heritage.
The duty fell to locomotive 66168. At midday, it hauled 6G09 from Goonbarrow to Fowey, tracing a route long synonymous with Cornwall’s clay industry and its connection to the national rail network. Later that evening, the same locomotive returned at the head of 6G06, conveying the empty wagons back from Fowey.
With its work complete, 66168 then departed in the dark light engine for Westbury, drawing a quiet close to DB Cargo’s involvement in this historic flow. The occasion marked not just the end of an operational contract, but the conclusion of a long and distinctive period in the region’s industrial and railway heritage.
Leaving behind the semaphores of Goonbarrow, 66168 starts its journey to Fowey with 16 loaded JIA wagons. 31.03.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
A little further along the Newquay branch, 6G09 passes Luxulyan station. 31.03.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
66168 in the up side platform at Lostwithiel during the run round - this move is 0G09. 31.03.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
A side-on shot as 0G09 backs onto the train at Lostwithiel. 31.03.2026, copyright Sam Sheldwick.
66168 running back onto the train in the Up Goods Loop at Lostwithiel. 31.03.2026, copyright Sam Sheldwick.
Shunting at Lostwithiel. 31.03.2026, copyright Sam Sheldwick.
6G09 is complete once again and ready to depart for Fowey. 31.03.2026, copyright Sam Sheldwick.
6G09 passing the former signal box at Lostwithiel on its way to Fowey. 31.03.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
6G09 continues on its way to Fowey docks. 31.03.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
With the tide well in and the train now emptied, 66168 leads 6G05 over the causeway at Golant. 31.03.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
Shortly after 6pm, 66168 passes Coulsons Park, Lostwithiel with the returning empties from Fowey. 31.03.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
66168 pulls into Lostwithiel and runs into the Down Goods Loop before running round. 31.03.2026, copyright Sam Sheldrick.
6G05 running into the down loop. 31.03.2026, copyright Sam Sheldrick.
66168 runs into Lostwithiel during the run round in the down goods loop. 31.03.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
The driver changes ends and the route indicator shows that the train is to into the Down Loop. 31.03.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
A shot by Sam from the opposite platform before 0G05 set off to the loop. 31.03.2026, copyright Sam Sheldrick.
66168 backs onto the JIA's. 31.03.2026, copyright Sam Sheldrick.
It was only a matter of minutes before the barriers dropped once again at Lostwithiel and 6G05 was released onto the mainline to continue its journey to Goonbarrow. 31.03.2026, copyright Sam Sheldrick.
Once more beneath the St. Blazey semaphores at Middleway for DBC as 6G05 gains the Newquay branch. 31.03.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
Following a speedy journey up from Lostwithiel, 66168 crosses Rock Mill Viaduct in the Luxulyan Valley, a shot which shows how deep this natural valley really is. 31.03.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Taken just a few seconds after the above drone shot, 6G05 passes 'the old Blacksmiths shop'. 31.03.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
And here is how the DBC (formerly EWS) story in Cornwall ends. A lonely light loco move, just one loco, from Goonbarrow - Westbury. 66168 waits at Par with a Westbury DB driver in the cab. To think of the size of the railfreight operation in Cornwall not too long ago, the might of St. Blazey in the days of CDA's, Polybulks, Cargowagons, Silver Bullets, Clay Tigers and TTA's, then to think that today the whole operation can be packed away and shipped out as shown in the photograph above is quite sobering. It was a rather sad moment when the signal turned green and the loco moved off into the darkness, leaving me alone to walk back to the car reflecting on how things have changed. 31.03.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
One last look at DB red in Cornwall as 66168/0Z53 hums away to itself in the still evening air. 31.03.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Many thanks all, another great record of the final days of DB in Cornwall. These will be important to look back on in years to come. We hope that all the Cornwall-based crews settle into their new roles well.
April 1976
Part 1
Roger Winnen
There's an 'April 1976...' post every single day this month.. enjoy!
D1056 Western Sultan at Marazion. 02.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
D1063 Western Monitor working the Royal Mail. Engine withdrawn next day. 02.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Coal Stage at Long Rock. 02.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Roskear Junction Signal Box. 03.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
The 14.00 Pz to Birmingham at Camborne. 03.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
From Guy Vincent:
Good to see there is to be a long run of April 1976 photos from Roger, already looking forward to these! Today’s photo of the 1400 Penzance - Birmingham at Camborne with unknown locos features 50049 (unnamed but later to become ‘Defiance’,now preserved) with D1028 Western Hussar inside. (Info from Rail Gen Archive website).
Many thanks Guy
Good to see there is to be a long run of April 1976 photos from Roger, already looking forward to these! Today’s photo of the 1400 Penzance - Birmingham at Camborne with unknown locos features 50049 (unnamed but later to become ‘Defiance’,now preserved) with D1028 Western Hussar inside. (Info from Rail Gen Archive website).
Many thanks Guy
Camborne Station. 03.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
D1056 Western Sultan on the 09.30 Paddington to Penzance. 03.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Clay empties in the '80's
Paul Barlow
45072 passes under Countess Wear road bridge near Exeter on 0424 Stoke on Trent to St Blazey 6V53. 03.06.1981, copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks Paul - a little more interesting than a 66!
The early days of the WSR
Alan Peters
With the West Somerset Railway celebrating its 50 years since reopening, pictures taken 40 years ago in the early days of preservation with Bagnall 0-6-0ST No.2996 ‘Victor’ storming out of Minehead in April 1986. Copyright Alan Peters.
The summer of 1986 and the same vantage point from the Butlins holiday camp with GWR Pannier tank 6412 departing Minehead, at this time Seaward Way level crossing did not exist. Copyright Alan Peters.
Bagnall 0-6-0ST No.2996 ‘Victor’ is seen arriving at Blue Anchor from Minehead in 1986. Copyright Alan Peters.
Bagnall 0-6-0ST No.2996 ‘Victor’ powers away from Blue Anchor with a service to Williton in 1986. Copyright Alan Peters.
The view from the B&E signal box at Williton, GWR 6412 has arrived from Minehead and will run round its train as services from Minehead terminated at Williton in with a separate service to Bishops Lydeard in 1986. Copyright Alan Peters.
GWR 6412 runs around its train before working back to Minehead, note the signal post installed for separate running with Williton acting as a terminus station from Minehead and Bishops Lydeard in 1986. Copyright Alan Peters.
A final 1986 view of 'Hymek' D7017 in the sunshine in Williton yard. Copyright Alan Peters.
A super selection Alan. D7017 in particular looks really smart. Many thanks for sharing these with us.