1 Year ago today - The CDA Finale
Jon Hird
Today - 11.08.2024 - marks the 1 year anniversary of the final revenue earning trip for the fleet of CDA wagons.
Despite rumors circulating at the time of all kinds of exotic wagons being brought in, DB and Imerys have since settled down into a route of using the fleet of JIA bogie wagons for both the local and distance clay traffic.
A trial of JGA wagons was carried out, but it was soon discovered that they were unsuitable for loading in the Linhays.
A number of wagons live on in preservation.
8 wagons have found a new home at The Bodmin Railway after a fundraising effort by The National Wagon Preservation Group (click here).
Another single CDA, 375030, has been purchased by a group of local enthusiasts and is being well-pampered at The Plym Valley Railway (click here).
375102 remains on-site at St. Blazey under the care of M-Power Kernow, the group who have restored and operate St. Blazey turntable.
375088 also exists in Wales, at The Barry Tourist Railway.
There are also 3 ex-barrier wagons at Fowey. These wagons are visually in a poor condition and their future is unknown - The National Wagon Preservation Group hope to obtain them.
The selection of photos below show the fortunes of the wagons over the last 12 months and the difference in clay traffic between then and now.
Despite rumors circulating at the time of all kinds of exotic wagons being brought in, DB and Imerys have since settled down into a route of using the fleet of JIA bogie wagons for both the local and distance clay traffic.
A trial of JGA wagons was carried out, but it was soon discovered that they were unsuitable for loading in the Linhays.
A number of wagons live on in preservation.
8 wagons have found a new home at The Bodmin Railway after a fundraising effort by The National Wagon Preservation Group (click here).
Another single CDA, 375030, has been purchased by a group of local enthusiasts and is being well-pampered at The Plym Valley Railway (click here).
375102 remains on-site at St. Blazey under the care of M-Power Kernow, the group who have restored and operate St. Blazey turntable.
375088 also exists in Wales, at The Barry Tourist Railway.
There are also 3 ex-barrier wagons at Fowey. These wagons are visually in a poor condition and their future is unknown - The National Wagon Preservation Group hope to obtain them.
The selection of photos below show the fortunes of the wagons over the last 12 months and the difference in clay traffic between then and now.
The same train, as close to a year apart as I could manage. 11.08.2023 (top), the last empty CDA rake from Fowey - St. Blazey, and 06.08.2024 (bottom), the empty JIA's returning from Fowey. Copyright Jon Hird.
66199 leads the last train of CDA's over the Causeway at Golant. 11.08.2023, copyright Jon Hird.
375010 and 375060 meet their maker. 08.09.2023, copyright Jon Hird.
The one and only test run of a JGA in Cornwall came on 20.09.2023. It was found to be unpractical for loading at Goonbarrow as the top doors obstructed the loader bucket. It ran to Fowey empty with the loaded JIA's. The 5 JGA's which were brought down to the region have been stored in St. Blazey yard since. Copyright Jon Hird.
Withdrawn CDA's awaiting their date with Henry Orchards cutting torch at St. Blazey. 05.11.2023.
9 of the lucky 10 preserved CDA's were shunted to Par Harbour for removal by road by 66165 on 06.12.2023. Copyright Jon Hird.
One of the Bodmin CDA's on its way to its new home. 09.12.2023, copyright Jon Hird.
Crew training with the Bodmin CDA's and 47306. 16.03.2024, copyright Jon Hird.
50042 on another crew training run with the Bodmin CDA's on 22.06.2024 - the first '50' to work the CDA's since the early 90's. Copyright Jon Hird.
CDA 375030 at The Plym Valley Railway. A great deal of work has been carried out on this wagon, including a new ECC Blue sheet, original decals and the framework repainted in ECC Blue. Copyright CDA 375030 Preservation Group
375102 remains at St. Blazey. 09.08.2024, copyright Jon Hird.
The last 3 CDA's 'in the wild' - 375125, 375135 and 375137, which were converted HAA coal wagons, languish at Fowey Carne Point. Copyright Jon Hird.
And finally my very own bit of a CDA - I was lucky to obtain the worksplate from 375005, my son displaying it at Lostwithiel on the last day of the semaphores, 02.03.2024. It now takes pride of place in my cabinet (much to the dismay of my partner!). Most of the worksplates either broke upon removal (they are cast and quite fragile) or went to a single out-of-county collector. Copyright Jon Hird.
Please visit/support:
The National Wagon Preservation Group
The CDA 375030 Preservation Group
Bodmin Railway
Plym Valley Railway
The National Wagon Preservation Group
The CDA 375030 Preservation Group
Bodmin Railway
Plym Valley Railway
A Nobleman at Axminster
Ross Griffiths
D1058 'Western Nobleman' at Axminster 10.03.1973, copyright Ross Griffiths.
Many thanks Ross.
More 'Westerns' to come from Ross - keep your eyes on the site!
More 'Westerns' to come from Ross - keep your eyes on the site!
The 2008 SDR Diesel Gala
Paul Barlow
D6737 (37037) 1010 Buckfastleigh toTotnes Hood bridge 26 April 2008. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Regional Railways 55000 0840 Totnes to Buckfastleigh Hood bridge 26 April 2008. Copyright Paul Barlow.
31108 0930 Buckfastleigh to Totnes Hood bridge 26 April 2008. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Thanks very much, Paul - the SDR galas were always great, a pity they seem to have stopped.
61306 'Mayflower' and 57311 work:
'The English Riviera Express'
High Wycombe - Kingswear & Return - 10.08.2024
David Tozer & Jon Hird
B1 61306 'Mayflower' passes Marsh Barton with the 05:47 High Wycombe - Kingswear Saphos Trains 'The English Riviera Express'. Copyright David Tozer.
A recently repainted and very smart 57311 on the rear of the excursion. Copyright David Tozer
A little after 6pm, 61306 accelerates through Cockwood Harbour on the return working. Copyright Jon Hird.
A fine sight at Cockwood, the sun was behind a stubborn cloud but there was enough light to make for a nice photo still. Copyright Jon Hird.
An alternative view of Cockwood captured by my partner, Sarah, using the drone. Copyright Jon Hird.
Spinning around, we see 57311 on the rear heading towards Starcross. Copyright Jon Hird.
Thanks very much for allowing us to display your photos, Dave.
West Somerset Steam Express
John Simons
Today the West Somerset Steam Express ran Paddington-Minehead along the West Somerset Railway, motive power being Black 5 44871 & diesel 47812 at the rear.
The train is pictured on the return journey at Crowcombe Heathfield station on the WSR.
The train is pictured on the return journey at Crowcombe Heathfield station on the WSR.
44871 on West Somerset Steam Express Minehead-Paddington approaching Crowcombe Heathfield station on WSR. Copyright John Simons.
44871 on West Somerset Steam Express, Minehead -Paddington passing through Crowcombe Heathfield station on WSR. Copyright John Simons.
Many thanks John - 44871 certainly gets about.
Progress at Ponsandane
Mick House
An overview of the work being carried out to provide additional IET stabling at Long Rock, Ponsandane Sidings. 09.08.2024, Copyright Mick House.
An overview of the work being carried out to provide additional IET stabling at Long Rock, Ponsandane Sidings. 09.08.2024, Copyright Mick House.
Quattro Group 1079 road/rail machine working in the sidings. 09.08.2024, copyright Mick House.
Colas DR75407 Passing Ponsandane Yard. Copyright Mick House.
158 959 Passing Ponsandane Yard. 09.08.2024, copyright Mick House.
800 009 Passing Ponsandane Yard. 09.08.2024, Copyright Mick House.
Thanks Mick, nice to see work progressing.
Swindon Freight
Ken Mumford
66621 hauling 6Z27 [Appleford to East Usk Yard] which passed Swindon 63 minutes EARLY! It might be worth you looking at REAL TRAIN TIMES to see its progress as it left Appleford 1 EARLY, passed Patchway 80 EARLY but got to East Usk Yard 5 EARLY!!! 09.08.2024, copyright Ken Mumford.
66621 hauling 6Z27 [Appleford to East Usk Yard] which passed Swindon 63 minutes EARLY! It might be worth you looking at REAL TRAIN TIMES to see its progress as it left Appleford 1 EARLY, passed Patchway 80 EARLY but got to East Usk Yard 5 EARLY!!! 09.08.2024, copyright Ken Mumford.
Graffitti on the wagons. Copyright Ken Mumford.
Many thanks to you, Ken