The first indoor meeting of the winter season of the Cornwall Railway Society takes place on Saturday September 13th 2025.
Jim Collins presents:
'Spanning a career of 47 Years on the railways'
Not to be missed!
Taking place at the Wesley Memorial Hall, Redruth (TR15 2EG), commencing at 18.30 hrs.
Members free, non members £3. Refreshments available.
Jim Collins presents:
'Spanning a career of 47 Years on the railways'
Not to be missed!
Taking place at the Wesley Memorial Hall, Redruth (TR15 2EG), commencing at 18.30 hrs.
Members free, non members £3. Refreshments available.
Recent round-up
Craig Munday
It seems the action and colour was in Devon across the week. It's been a mixture of weather heralding September, from bright sun, odd cloud formations and torrential rain. I've been at opposite ends of the Duchy this week!
A spot of sunshine beneath a dark sky at just the right time to capture a GWR 'Castle Class' HST arriving at Penzance on 02.09.2025. Copyright Craig Munday.
57602 saw some daylight action after the evening before saw an IET work the sleeper. It's seen passing Liskeard in the rain on 03.09.2025. Copyright Craig Munday.
I took a chance that the wonderful mackerel sky after dark would align in the right position for 1A50 at Par. It lined up just right. 57603 awaits departure on 05.09.2025. Copyright Craig Munday.
Great shots, Craig - especially the Par by moonlight. Many thanks.
DB Cargo pull out of St. Blazey Yard
In a recent interview with The Railway Magazine, a DBC spokesperson has confirmed that they have moved their Cornish operations away from St. Blazey, and that the facility is expected to be placed on the market in the 'very near future'.
The company have made the decision to outbase the single class 66 locomotive and the JIA wagons required for the week-to-week China Clay traffic at Goonbarrow, with wagon maintainence being undertaken at Westbury.
The announcement brings with it a degree of uncertainty about the future of the site. With minimal railfreight opportunities currently presenting themselves within the County, locals are concerned that the site may instead be utilised for housing.
The historic turntable - restored, leased and operated by MPower Kernow - holds a listed status, so its future is hopefully safe.
Read more in the September 2025 edition of The Railway Magazine.
The company have made the decision to outbase the single class 66 locomotive and the JIA wagons required for the week-to-week China Clay traffic at Goonbarrow, with wagon maintainence being undertaken at Westbury.
The announcement brings with it a degree of uncertainty about the future of the site. With minimal railfreight opportunities currently presenting themselves within the County, locals are concerned that the site may instead be utilised for housing.
The historic turntable - restored, leased and operated by MPower Kernow - holds a listed status, so its future is hopefully safe.
Read more in the September 2025 edition of The Railway Magazine.
The entrance to St. Blazey Yard. Copyright Jon Hird.
An August 2025 view of St. Blazey yard. Copyright Jon Hird.
Last clay train from North Devon?
Keith Gale
Was this the last clay train from North Devon? I have read that clay from Peters Marland ceased during 1982 but have not seen a definate date when this happened. Whilst I was working in North Devon in 1982 I saw a class 31 heading away from Bideford light engine towards Torrington. A short while later whilst at Instow I heard a train horn and rushed to the level crossing just in time to see 31167 hauling a single loaded clay wagon heading for Barnstaple. The date was 7th September 1982.
31167 at Instow with a single loaded clay wagon. 7th September 1982, copyright Keith Gale.
A great photo - and a historic one too, Keith, if your suspicions are correct. Does anybody know the answer?
An answer to the above from David Mitchell:
Re Keith Gale's query on your website; I understand that the last ball clay train from the works at Meeth departed on 23 August 1982 and the final train from Marland left on 13 September 1982, so the train that he saw wasn't quite the last one.
Re Keith Gale's query on your website; I understand that the last ball clay train from the works at Meeth departed on 23 August 1982 and the final train from Marland left on 13 September 1982, so the train that he saw wasn't quite the last one.
Many thanks for clearing this one up for us, David.
More of 'The Mayflower'
Clive Smith & 'The Cornish Trainspotter'
7029 & 45596 pass Laira Junction with 'The Mayflower'. 06.09.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
37418 and 37240 shadowing the tour passing Laira Junction. 06.09.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
The steam locos, support coaches and 37's reversing into Laira having arrived back from Plymouth. 06.09.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
7029 and 45596 storm up Hemerdon Bank with the returning railtour. 06.09.2025, copyright 'The Cornish Trainspotter'
The pair of 37's following on behind. 06.09.2025, copyright 'The Cornish Trainspotter'
The returning railtour crosses Blatchford Viaduct, near Ivybridge. 06.09.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
The 37's, again shadowing the tour, cross Blatchford Viaduct. 06.09.2025, copyright Clive Smith.
Rogers day in Devon
Roger Winnen
5029 Nunney Castle with the English Riviera Express to Kingswear at Exeter St. Davids. 06.09.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
The road is set for 5029 departure from Exeter St David's. 06.09.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
The Mayflower is seen running through the platform line at Totnes with 7029 Clun Castle and the Jubilee. 06.09.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
7029 Clun Castle and Bahamas stands in the through road of Plymouth Station. 06.09.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
A close up of the Jubilee. 06.09.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
The steam await the arrival of Class 37s for the turning move at Laira Depot. 06.09.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
The very smart 37s arrive at Plymouth. 06.09.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
The convoy to Laira awaits departure. 06.09.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
Clay empties passing through Plymouth en route to Par. 06.09.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
Returning from Laira Depot the trains heads into Dock 3 at Plymouth Station where the 37s are detached. 06.09.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
The steam in Dock 3 at Plymouth Station. 06.09.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
A rare photo these days to see steam in this platform. 06.09.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
The 37s nearly at the buffer stops. 06.09.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
Examination work on Bahamas before departing. 06.09.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.
The Mayflower departs Plymouth Station at 16.54. 06.09.2025, copyright Roger Winnen.