The changing face
of Cornish Railfreight
Jon Hird, Clive Smith, Tim Hughes, Jonathan Harbage, Mick House, Andrew Triggs, Mark Lynam & Julian Stephens
The final days of DB Cargo operations in Cornwall are now firmly numbered, with the countdown slipping into single digits. As has been widely reported, GB Railfreight (GBRf) is set to assume responsibility for the Imerys China Clay flows from 1 April 2026, marking the end of a long-standing chapter in the region’s rail freight history.
Against this backdrop of transition, Wednesday 25 March offered a rare and noteworthy scene for observers. In an unusual overlap between outgoing and incoming operators, two freight locomotives could be seen working simultaneously. While DB Cargo continued its routine operations, loading a train at Par Harbour, GBRf took the opportunity to run a route-learning working along the Cornish branch lines. The coincidence provided onlookers with a fleeting glimpse of both the past and future of clay traffic in Cornwall.
Against this backdrop of transition, Wednesday 25 March offered a rare and noteworthy scene for observers. In an unusual overlap between outgoing and incoming operators, two freight locomotives could be seen working simultaneously. While DB Cargo continued its routine operations, loading a train at Par Harbour, GBRf took the opportunity to run a route-learning working along the Cornish branch lines. The coincidence provided onlookers with a fleeting glimpse of both the past and future of clay traffic in Cornwall.
Arriving from the Parkandillack branch, 66312 soars above the Par Harbour branch on the mainline bridge. 25.03.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
GB Railfreight 66312 creeps along the Par Harbour branch with its route learning trip from Treviscoe. 25.03.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Photographers and enthusiasts seize the opportunity for a photograph of the locomotive from the Par Harbour Crossing Gates. 25.03.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Dashing across the road to the opposite side, a chance for a photograph of DB Cargo 66098 shunting the JIA's in Par Harbour. 25.03.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
And here is what they were all photographing - 66098 shunting a rake of JIA's on the branch. 25.03.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
Likely my last photograph of a DB loco in the harbour as 66098 pulls forward a rake of JIA's. The wagons are loaded by a front-loader road vehicle beneath the canopy. 25.03.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
With loading complete, 66098 leaves the harbour behind and heads for the stop board before the crossing. 25.03.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
66098 crosses the road back into St. Blazey yard. 25.03.2026, copyright Clive Smith.
Meanwhile, 66312 heads away from Par towards Lostwithiel where it would reverse to visit the Fowey branch. 25.03.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
66312 snapped after reversing at Lostwithiel. 25.03.2026, copyright Tim Hughes.
Here is a photo of 66312 going from Lostwithiel to Penzance on the 25/03/26 going through Buckshead. I think it was on driver training. a welcome sight. Copyright Jonathan Harbage.
En route to Penzance from Lostwithiel, 66312 passes the iconic engine house at Wheal Busy crossing. 25.03.2026, copyright Mick House.
66312 passes through Redruth on the return leg of its journey from Penzance. 25.03.2026, copyright Mick House.
66312 'Nigel Harris' approaching Rospeath Road overbridge working 0Z75 11.36 Lostwithiel Up Goods Loop-Penzance. 25.03.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
GBRf 66312 Nameplate 'Nigel Harris' as seen at Penzance. 25.03.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
66312 later passing Marazion working 0Z76 15.30 Penzance-Plymouth. 25.03.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
66312 at Apex Bridge, Scorrier working 0Z76 1530 Penzance to Plymouth. 25.03.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
A going-away shot at Dowgas as 66312 continues east to Plymouth as 0Z76. 25.03.2026, copyright Julian Stephens.
Many thanks for the comprehensive coverage, all. We'll miss the bright red DB livery - hopefully GBRf can help give SW Rail Freight a bit of a leg-up.
Devon miscellany
Jack Burchill
220033 leads 221140 in its new livery past Marsh Barton. 24.03.2026, copyright Jack Burchill.
66312 passes Marsh Barton with 0V75 Tonbridge West Yard Gbrf to Plymouth (ready to work Wednesdays training runs pictured above). 24.03.2026, copyright Jack Burchill.
Many thanks indeed, Jack.
Spring Peaks
Paul Barlow
45065 has just worked the 1322 Liverpool to Plymouth from Birmingham to Gloucester. 04.04.1981, copyright Paul Barlow.
46047 pulls into Paignton with the 1E70 1435 To Leeds. 14.04.1981, copyright Paul Barlow.
Great memories, many thanks Paul.
Units in the Western Reaches
Andrew Triggs & Mark Lynam
158950 approaching Marazion working 2C23 12.19 Plymouth-Penzance. 25.03.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
175002 passing Marazion Station working 2C20 11.27 Exeter St Davids-Penzance. This was a 2+4 'Castle Class' diagram until December 2025. 25.03.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
Slightly further along the Marazion Beach Path 175007 nears journey's end working 2C26 13.40 Plymouth-Penzance. 25.03.2026, copyright Andrew Triggs.
175007 at Apex Bridge, Scorrier working 2P21 1552 Penzance to Plymouth. 25.03.2026, copyright Mark Lynam.
Many thanks Mark and Andrew, looks like you had the best sun down in the west yesterday.