Cornish Clay Workings

[72C]

Can anybody up date me on the current clay workings from the Newquay branch or Parkandillick to Fowey or beyond?

Thanks

 

[221129]

What sort of Info are you after?

 

[72C]

Thanks for your response.

Over the years I have watched the rail movement of clay decline. I am curious about the current levels of traffic, origins and destinations. In 2011 I visited and saw traffic passing through Lostwithiel for Fowey but think I may have been lucky.
I am seeking better info for the next visit!!

 

[221129]

The China Clay Train Runs Weekly at least usually returning up on a Friday as Far as Tavistock Jct Where it sometimes splits to run up the Devon Banks as far as Riverside Yard in Exeter where it detachs and the Loco Comes Down Light Engine to Collect the remaining Train. When the train doesn't it Runs straight up to Exeter I believe. I can't be 100% though.

 

[72C]

Thanks Ollieb. Do you have any info on the origin of the loads?

 

[noddy1878]

I maybe wrong but i thought there was more tonnage transported by rail than ever before. Most of it goes to Fowey but as mentioned there is one train a week that leaves the county. I thought it was on a Thursday but again might be wrong. Don't have any info on diagrams I'm afraid.

 

[Freightmaster]

I maybe wrong but i thought there was more tonnage transported by rail than ever before. Most of it goes to Fowey.

Change 'more' to 'less' and you're spot on!!

A new contract came into effect this week reducing the number
of 'internal' movements up to 33%, but it's not as bad as it could
have been - apparently Imerys were seriously considering moving
the whole operation to road last Summer...

MARK

 

[noddy1878]

Change 'more' to 'less' and you're spot on!!

A new contract came into effect this week reducing the number
of 'internal' movements up to 33%, but it's not as bad as it could
have been - apparently Imerys were seriously considering moving
the whole operation to road last Summer...

MARK

I didn't know that. The last time I heard they were mining more than ever. Moving it to road is not a good idea. They should be doing the opposite. Doesn't most of it get exported anyway? I would have though the link to Fowey was good enough and they could always reinstate the par docks link properly as access to the mainline isn't needed at all. Just blocks the road in Par for a while (like when I was on the last railtour to the docks!)

 

[87015]

Still one loco out most weekdays I think doing one or two trips between Fowey and Goonbarrow or Parkandillack.

 

[Cliveblackpool]

I didn't know that. The last time I heard they were mining more than ever. Moving it to road is not a good idea. They should be doing the opposite. Doesn't most of it get exported anyway? I would have though the link to Fowey was good enough and they could always reinstate the par docks link properly as access to the mainline isn't needed at all. Just blocks the road in Par for a while (like when I was on the last railtour to the docks!)

Par docks used to have 2 links, the present one going under the arches. The Pinnock tunnel track to Fowey went under the 3rd Arch (looking from the Harbour). It used to be a busy level crossing (Par Bridge Signal Box) with the gates operated by a wheel.
The other was by Spit beach car park, and included many sidings by the main line. (Par Harbour Signal Box)
There was also another level crossing where Alfred crossed Par Moor Road to the Clay Dries. There is a low bridge, by the car park, hence the low cabs on Alfred & Judy. Now just a public footpath, and underdround clay pipes now use this bridge.
Not sure what the long term future holds for Par Harbour though, a Marina Village??
In the 70s there was a heavy train load to the 'Potteries' SOT at least 4 times a week.
Trains to Fowey ran as late as 7pm.
The Fowey branch bridge across the R.Fowey was removed in the seventies at Lostwithiel. The other main line bridges were renewed.
Trains now cross the level crossing to reverse to access the branch.

 

[83G/84D]

Can anybody up date me on the current clay workings from the Newquay branch or Parkandillick to Fowey or beyond?

Thanks

The local clay workings in Cornwall have just been revised and there are various plans according to customer traffic demands on any given week and shipping movements to / from Fowey. There is only a small number of loco's in use on any given week and the new plan gets most flexibility out of the available resources and is tailored to customer requirements. Two small rakes of CDA wagons have been semi-permanantly "laid up" at St Blazey yard and more use made of the remaining wagons. This also keeps costs down and makes the operation more efficient.

There are also a number of changes,some good and others not so good, affecting freight services in Devon & Cornwall, proposed for this year.

More details when information is confirmed...........

I'll try to remember to pm you the altered plans later in the week.

 

[Cliveblackpool]

Working timetable for Exeter to Truro via Plymouth.
http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse...le (wtt)/december 2012 - may 2013/pf/pf18.pdf

The Clay dries on the Newquay branch are at Goonbarrow Jn. (Nr Bugle)
Burngullow Jn is where the Parkandillack line branches off.
ECC stood for English China Clays - now taken over by Imerys)
Carne Point is when the Fowey branch now terminates, just before the first jetty No 8. (1 mile short of Fowey)
Moorswater is just up from Coombe Jn on the Looe branch (Cement)

 

[72C]

Thanks to everybody. Seems something of a mixed picture; reduced traffic but could have been worse. Is it correct that Par Docks have closed to shipping?

 

[221129]

The China Clays appear to run down late on tuesday nights at the moment....

 

[Cliveblackpool]

Thanks to everybody. Seems something of a mixed picture; reduced traffic but could have been worse. Is it correct that Par Docks have closed to shipping?

Par Harbour closed to shipping- Cornish Clay is now only exported from Fowey
Mounds of gravel placed along the edge of the berths.
There is still rail and lorries moving clay from the Harbour to Fowey etc.
Haul road (Pinnock Tunnel) to Fowey is still open.

There is still some drying activities. (Steam rising far left of picture)