NINETEEN SIXTY TWO – PART 92
Fowey Docks 1979
Michael L. Roach
In Parts 90 and 91 I showed photos taken at Par and Lostwithiel on 1 July 1979. I had taken a day off work to photograph the Cornish Riviera Express on the occasion of its 75th birthday, and was there for the day watching the comings and goings mostly at Lostwithiel. However I had one further aim which was to visit Fowey Docks later on. In those far-off days there was no internet; no marinetraffic.com; and no way of knowing in advance whether there would be any ships to photograph at Fowey. The sun had shone most of the day and continued to shine as I arrived at Fowey around 6.00pm. I parked the car in the car park and walked up the steps and into the docks past the large GWR sign, and followed the quays around to where the ships were moored. There were four of them – I had hit the jackpot. On the evening I started to write this piece there were no ships tied up at Fowey. I got my photos and returned to the car unchallenged – the perfect end to a perfect day. So what has happened to shipments of china clay in the intervening 45 years. Both Charlestown and Par Harbours have ceased to ship china clay, and the ships coming to Fowey have got bigger and therefore fewer.
I paid another visit to Fowey 8 weeks later on 27 August 1979, but not far into the docks – just far enough to take the attached photograph of a diesel road roller. This was quite a rare beast as it was a Wallis & Steevens Advance dating from 1975 and first registered on 1 November that year. It has not been taxed since 31 October 1995, but may still exist somewhere. The firm was taken over and wound up in 1981. Also present was the coaster Valfragoso of Vigo in north-east Spain near the Portuguese border. On the way home to West Cornwall I stopped at Treesmill to photograph the up motorail train, a train I did not see often living where I did.
Fortyfive years later I was able to watch the ships at Fowey from the comfort of my own home as Monday 1 July approached. On the Friday, Saturday and Sunday there were no large ships in the Port of Fowey. Soon after 01.00 on Monday 1 July a ship sailed into the port and moored up. It was the MV Vitality, a UK-flagged British general cargo ship of 3 – 4,000 tonnes, which was nice to see, as most ships are foreign. The fleet of ships named ….....ity have been a feature of British shipping for many decades and sixty years ago were a common site in small ports and harbours across Devon and Cornwall from Penzance to Teignmouth. Vitality measures 90 metres by 15.4 metres.
It took two working days to load Vitality which then appeared to wait for the rising tide before sailing at about 20.30 on Tuesday 2 July 2024, taking a half hour to reach the open sea. The ship had set out on a 14-day journey to Egypt.
I paid another visit to Fowey 8 weeks later on 27 August 1979, but not far into the docks – just far enough to take the attached photograph of a diesel road roller. This was quite a rare beast as it was a Wallis & Steevens Advance dating from 1975 and first registered on 1 November that year. It has not been taxed since 31 October 1995, but may still exist somewhere. The firm was taken over and wound up in 1981. Also present was the coaster Valfragoso of Vigo in north-east Spain near the Portuguese border. On the way home to West Cornwall I stopped at Treesmill to photograph the up motorail train, a train I did not see often living where I did.
Fortyfive years later I was able to watch the ships at Fowey from the comfort of my own home as Monday 1 July approached. On the Friday, Saturday and Sunday there were no large ships in the Port of Fowey. Soon after 01.00 on Monday 1 July a ship sailed into the port and moored up. It was the MV Vitality, a UK-flagged British general cargo ship of 3 – 4,000 tonnes, which was nice to see, as most ships are foreign. The fleet of ships named ….....ity have been a feature of British shipping for many decades and sixty years ago were a common site in small ports and harbours across Devon and Cornwall from Penzance to Teignmouth. Vitality measures 90 metres by 15.4 metres.
It took two working days to load Vitality which then appeared to wait for the rising tide before sailing at about 20.30 on Tuesday 2 July 2024, taking a half hour to reach the open sea. The ship had set out on a 14-day journey to Egypt.
A typical GWR notice of screwed-on cast iron letters at the pedestrian entrance to Fowey Docks seen on 27.08.1979. Copyright Michael L. Roach
Castor of Helsingfors (Helsinki). Copyright Michael L. Roach
Marion Schulte of Bremen, Germany. Copyright Michael L. Roach
Inger and Nina Bres. The Bresline ships were regular visitors to Fowey at the time. Copyright Michael L. Roach
Wallis & Steevens diesel roller of 1975. Copyright Michael L. Roach
Valfrogoso of Vigo. Copyright Michael L. Roach
The up Motorail passes Treesmill, Par at 4.32pm consisting of 50008 Thunderer (PRESERVED) hauling 8C and 9 carflats on 27.08.1979. Copyright Michael L. Roach
The M.V. Vitality a few hours before her departure on 02.07.2024. Copyright Jon Hird
Many thanks as always Michael, an interesting series of photographs of an interesting place.
For more of Michaels work, please click here.
For more of Michaels work, please click here.
Stranger in the camp
Jon Hird
After suffering brake/wheel flat issues on one of its coaches (believed although not confirmed to be the ex-motorail van directly behind the loco) whilst working a test train along the Parkandillack branch, Colas Rail 37219 has been moved to St. Blazey in order to clear the mainline. Behind the test train is 66101 coupled to a rake of JIA's which had been loaded at Par Harbour, ready to be worked up to Exeter Riverside. 03.07.2024, copyright Jon Hird.
66025 passes by with 10 JIA's for Fowey docks. 03.07.2024, copyright Jon Hird.
66025 heads around the trainset-radius curve to Par whilst the test train and 66101 keep each other company in the yard. 03.07.2024, copyright Jon Hird.
My first Castle Class trips
Trevor Tremethick
Trevor Tremethick
Hello Keith and Roger
Today I managed to accomplish something I have been trying to get done for some time. Castle class HSTs Plymouth to Truro and back. My thanks to Roger for help with the timings.
Barbara came with me, not noted for her love of trains, and was pleasantly surprised by the comfort of the HSTs; also the Cornish countryside which she had never before seen from a train. I must give the GWR staff (both on the train and at the stations) 10/10 for friendliness, customer focus and punctuality.
43004 Caerphilly Castle in the lead from Plymouth, with 43187 Cardiff Castle in rear; 43189 Launceston Castle and 43198 on the return. 5552 was in the branch platform at Bodmin Parkway.
The downside was Truro, that I have not seen for years. Heartbreaking to see the semaphores gone, weeds growing through the track and the yard we knew so well turned into a car park. Progress I guess.
Anyway, here are some pictures from my first Castle trips. I don't suppose there will be many more now.
Regards
Trevor
Today I managed to accomplish something I have been trying to get done for some time. Castle class HSTs Plymouth to Truro and back. My thanks to Roger for help with the timings.
Barbara came with me, not noted for her love of trains, and was pleasantly surprised by the comfort of the HSTs; also the Cornish countryside which she had never before seen from a train. I must give the GWR staff (both on the train and at the stations) 10/10 for friendliness, customer focus and punctuality.
43004 Caerphilly Castle in the lead from Plymouth, with 43187 Cardiff Castle in rear; 43189 Launceston Castle and 43198 on the return. 5552 was in the branch platform at Bodmin Parkway.
The downside was Truro, that I have not seen for years. Heartbreaking to see the semaphores gone, weeds growing through the track and the yard we knew so well turned into a car park. Progress I guess.
Anyway, here are some pictures from my first Castle trips. I don't suppose there will be many more now.
Regards
Trevor
1 43004 and 43187 bring the stock of the 1015 to PZ into Plymouth. 02.07.2024. Copyright Trevor Tremethick-1
2 43004 leaves Truro with the 1015 ex-Plymouth, 02.07.2024. One of the ticket inspectors looks out. Copyright Trevor Tremethick-3
3 43187 leaves a weed-strewn Truro at the rear of the 1015 ex-Plymouth, 02.07.2024. Copyright Trevor Tremethick
4 A grimy Launceston Castle enters Truro, 1315 PZ-Plymouth, 02.07.2024. 43198 at rear. Copyright Trevor Tremethick
5 Interior of set GW08 02.07.2024. Copyright Trevor Tremethick
Many Thanks Trevor I hope that you and Barbara had a good ride on the HST. Best Wishes Roger
'Tiger' passing Laira
Roger Geach
50028 passing Plymouth Laira on 26.12.1974 with the 1100 Penzance to Paddington service. Back in the days when trains ran on Boxing Day! 50028 was later named 'Tiger' following the theme of naming the class after naval vessels. Copyright Roger Geach.
Many thanks Roger, the scene is almost unrecognisable as todays location with the lack of development and vegetation in your shot.
South Devon Snaps
Martin Scane
6412 and 33002 at Buckfastleigh, 03.07.2024. Copyright Martin Scane.
5526 at Totnes Littlehempsted. Copyright Martin Scane.
The classic Buckfastleigh shot from the footbridge as 5526 prepares to depart. Copyright Martin Scane.
Many thanks to you Martin, nice to see these - it's a line we don't seem too see many photos of, compared to others in the region.