The final days of Par Harbour
Jon Hird, Neil Phillips, Mark Lynam, Tony Shore & Clive Smith
Industry sources have suggested that Wednesday 15 July could mark the final train to be loaded at Par Harbour, with the site's drier understood to be scheduled for closure within the next 10 to 14 days.
There remains the possibility however, that any surplus stock meeting Stoke's required specification could still be dispatched by rail, although this has yet to be confirmed.
The harbour complex itself will remain under Imerys ownership, with the stores continuing to be stocked. Product will instead be transported via the private haul road – formerly a rail line – to the deep-water port at Fowey for onward shipment by sea.
While a small number of further rail movements cannot be ruled out, it appears increasingly likely that the era of regular rail freight from Par Harbour has now come to an end.
For hundreds of historical photographs of Par Harbour, check out our St. Blazey & Par Harbour Gallery - click here. Or, go back in time even further, and visit the Par Harbour - Fowey Gallery.
There remains the possibility however, that any surplus stock meeting Stoke's required specification could still be dispatched by rail, although this has yet to be confirmed.
The harbour complex itself will remain under Imerys ownership, with the stores continuing to be stocked. Product will instead be transported via the private haul road – formerly a rail line – to the deep-water port at Fowey for onward shipment by sea.
While a small number of further rail movements cannot be ruled out, it appears increasingly likely that the era of regular rail freight from Par Harbour has now come to an end.
For hundreds of historical photographs of Par Harbour, check out our St. Blazey & Par Harbour Gallery - click here. Or, go back in time even further, and visit the Par Harbour - Fowey Gallery.
A little before 7am, 66759 arrives at St. Blazey from Goonbarrow with the empty JIA's in tow as 6T53. 15.07.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
66759 arrives in St Blazey Yard at 0700 with the 11 empty JIA wagons. 15.07.2026, copyright Neil Phillips.
66759 performing the run-round manoeuvre. 15.07.2026, copyright Neil Phillips.
GBRf's Simon K arrives to unlock and open the gates, with assistance of Imerys operative Emma S. 15.07.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
With the gates already open the first JIA wagon appears.... 15.07.2026, copyright Neil Phillips.
After running round on 'The Fowey Main' in St. Blazey, 66759 now propels its train into the harbour complex. 15.07.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
The view from ground level as the train reverses over the crossing. 15.07.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
With thanks to GBRf and Imerys, the CRS headboard was carried on the train for the trip from the Par Moor road crossing into the harbour, and remained with the train during the various shunt moves. Tony Shore sets up his camcorder and Neil Phillips moves in for a photo. 15.07.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Driver Martyn T waits to push the train back whilst the shunters walk down to the harbour. 15.07.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
The train begins to propel back into the harbour. 15.07.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
66759 propels its train beneath the Cornish Mainline and into the harbour. 15.07.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
A scene early Wednesday drivers along the A3082 will sadly soon no longer be treated to. 15.07.2026, copyright Neil Phillips.
127-ton tight squeeze under the Cornish main line! 15.07.2026, copyright Neil Phillips.
66759 shunts the wagons in the harbour complex. 15.07.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
More shunting in the harbour where the wagons are split into 3 shorter rakes to be loaded. 15.07.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
66759 has fun moving the 11 JIAs around inside the docks complex. 15.07.2026, copyright Neil Phillips.
With loading complete, the train draws out of the harbour and heads for the level crossing once more. Neil P. walking alongside the train. 15.07.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
66759 crosses Par Moor road for the second time with the loaded wagons from the harbour. 15.07.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
From the other side of the harbour as the train complete with headboard heads back to St. Blazey. 15.07.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
Having run round its wagons 66759 bakes in the sunshine alongside the M Power Kernow facilities at St. Blazey, awaiting the afternoon driver who will take it on to Exeter Riverside as 6C53. 15.07.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
After a Newquay-bound IET had gone by, the clay was reversed out of St. Blazey yard and back to St. Blazey signalbox. 15.07.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
66759 passes the foot crossing at St. Blazey with 6C53. 15.07.2026, copyright Tony Shore.
I was travelling by train between Par and Ivybridge and overtook the clays at Plymouth so was lucky to have two bites of the cherry with my camera as 6C53 was running around two hours early. It's seen passing beneath the historic footbridge at Bodmin Parkway. 15.07.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
A lush scene at Largin with all of the trees in leaf as 6C53 crosses the viaduct. 15.07.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
6C53 again, passing beneath the less historic footbridge at Ivybridge. 15.07.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
Many thanks to all for the photographs, and a big thank you to GBRf for taking the CRS headboard for a ride along the branch whilst it's still possible.
We will await further developments before assigning a 'time of death' to the line!
We will await further developments before assigning a 'time of death' to the line!
Nick Perring Photos #21
45112 - Minehead - 2007
Clive Smith
Following on from my photo of D7017 at Minehead a few days ago and Nick's of 47830 on FGW 'fag packet' livery coaches, here is another shot of the location and more of the coaches.
45112 awaits departure on the 28th May 2007 from Minehead with the Heartland Rail 'The North Star Special' 1Z48 17.10 Minehead -Derby return railtour with 47828 on the rear. The outward had 47840 'North Star' double headed with 47828 with 45112 on the rear. 47840 operated the tour as part of the formal hand-over from Porterbrook Leasing to the DEPG, its new owners who are based at the West Somerset Railway. The stock seems to be a scratch rake of three ex - First Great Western green 'fag packet' livery coaches, one red ex-Virgin coach and two unidentified light coloured coaches.
At the 2005 Diesel Gala on the line 45112 was one of the visiting locos and looked quite smart after a repaint. Here in 2007 the peak is looking washed out and in need of another repaint but that never happened as this was 45112's last ever main line run. The loco has been at Nemesis Rail's depot at Burton ever since, occasionally seen shunting in the yard there but I'm not sure of its current state or future.
45112 awaits departure on the 28th May 2007 from Minehead with the Heartland Rail 'The North Star Special' 1Z48 17.10 Minehead -Derby return railtour with 47828 on the rear. The outward had 47840 'North Star' double headed with 47828 with 45112 on the rear. 47840 operated the tour as part of the formal hand-over from Porterbrook Leasing to the DEPG, its new owners who are based at the West Somerset Railway. The stock seems to be a scratch rake of three ex - First Great Western green 'fag packet' livery coaches, one red ex-Virgin coach and two unidentified light coloured coaches.
At the 2005 Diesel Gala on the line 45112 was one of the visiting locos and looked quite smart after a repaint. Here in 2007 the peak is looking washed out and in need of another repaint but that never happened as this was 45112's last ever main line run. The loco has been at Nemesis Rail's depot at Burton ever since, occasionally seen shunting in the yard there but I'm not sure of its current state or future.
45112 awaits departure on the 28th May 2007 from Minehead with the Heartland Rail 'The North Star Special' 1Z48 17.10 Minehead -Derby return railtour with 47828 on the rear. Copyright Clive Smith (original photographer Nick Perring).
Many thanks indeed Clive. 45112 looking in a sorry way there - hopefully a brighter future awaits.
Oxford Station - 'as was'
Roger Geach
A little out of the region, but I thought some may like to see this view of Oxford Station during November 1968, taken by Doug Nicholls. I think the signals lasted until 1973. Copyright Roger Geach (original photographer Doug Nicholls).
Many thanks Roger, I'm sure plenty of people will enjoy seeing this, even if a little outside our normal area.
Penzance test train
Mark Lynam
950001 in the sidings at Penzance having arrived in the early hours of the morning from Plymouth. The unit had been pathed to visit the Fowey and Parkandillack branches, but appears to have instead run direct to Penzance. For the last couple of years, every visit this unit has made to the west has been toted as it's last, however it keeps on coming back for more! Perhaps this time really will be its final visit. 15.07.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
Many thanks Mark - will we see it again?!
Class 59's
Michael Forward
A look back at the class 59/1s,which arrived in the UK in October 1990 and were put into service the following month. Here is 59102 coming through Salisbury ,from Westbury. I did not record the date but the loco. looks newish and was not carrying a name(named from May1992 I think). Copyright Michael Forward.
Now back at Westbury we see 59101 moving around the yard. Probably early 1991. They are still going strong and this engine now carries a green 'Heidelberg' livery. Copyright Michael Forward.
Many thanks Michael. Disliked as they are by many enthusiasts, as well as the 66's which they share a bodyshell with, they must go down as one of the biggest success stories for a railfreight locomotive in recent history.
July 1976
Part 16
Roger Winnen
D1048 Western Lady at the Mexico Crossing Long Rock. 21.07.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Class 47 'Titan' at Penzance. 21.07.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
A Peak crossing St Germans Viaduct. 21.07.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.