St Blazey - events and incidents (merged posts)

[whole diary]

[Kernow Otter]

A conversation last night alluded to Network Rail actively considering the future of the turntable at St Blazey yard, with options being considered being either scrapping it, or relocating it to Penzance.

Can anyone shed any more light on this ?

[smokey]

IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly) BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) was going to get rid of St Blazey T/T but plans derailled after it was Listed.

[Kernow Otter]

This has just come to my attention.

Seems the last turntable in Cornwall has been locked out of use, as it is in need of substantial repairs.

Article says it all really, petition link on the article for those minded to support.

http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Turntable-closure-end-line-steam/story-21101248-detail/story.html

[LiskeardRich]

How did the recent steam trains cope that visited Falmouth, it says the two steam tours this year have been cancelled,
Maybe my eyes and photos were imagining this only 2 weeks ago.

The Great Britain vii Railtour by Rich.W., on Flickr

[The Tall Controller]

The engines were turned via the triangle at Laira and then worked light engine down to St Blazey where they stabled overnight.

[PhilWakely]

IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly) the Great Britain railtour was diesel hauled from Exeter to Truro with Bodmin running tender first from Exeter and the Hall also running light to laira and turning on the triangle before continuing tender first to Truro to bring the tour back the following day.

[grahame]

Article in the Cornish Guardian:
http://www.cornishguardian.co.uk/Save-Steam/story-21254016-detail/story.html?

Ours is now the only county in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) which is inaccessible by steam train, and tour operators have been forced to cancel their services here.

Which is questioned for its accuracy (on the grounds that they are turning at Laira).  I question it on the grounds that County Tyrone and County Fernmanagh cannot be accessed by steam trains either

[ChrisB]

More than that, we believe that every week it remains inoperative represents lost revenue for Cornish businesses ^ revenue Cornwall can ill afford to lose.

It's blindingly obvious who ought to be chipping in to a fund to restore it....

[Pb_devon]

Is there any info on exactly what needs doing, and the estimates for such work?
and are there associated issues, e.g. access through the depot.

[Red Squirrel]

If you'd told me back in 1970 that in 44 years time people would be complaining because their part of the country could not be accessed by steam trains, I'd have thought you were stark staring bonkers. Funny old world, isn't it?

[bobm]

According to uksteam a steam loco will make it to Par next Sunday (29th June) by running tender first from Plymouth.

THE ROYAL DUCHY
Bristol Temple Meads-Par [wcrc]
34067/70013: Bristol-Plymouth Friary-Par-Bristol
[Reverses at Plymouth Friary on outward leg, then tender first to Par]

More also on the Railway Touring Company's website - http://www.railwaytouring.net/uk-day-trips/royal-duchy

[bobm]

According to UK^▸ (United Kingdom) Steam the turntable has been brought back into use for today's railtour.

THE ROYAL DUCHY   
Bristol Temple Meads-Par [wcrc]
45407: Bristol-Plymouth Friary-Par-Bristol
[St Blazey turntable now reinstated for this trip]

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t14/t0629a.htm

[molinnis]

Turntable was used successfully today for the steam tour. Apparently it has dropped by 3" on the works side so cannot be used as a through road but can be used for turning if approached from the Par Docks end.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Steam tour has just passed through Nailsea & Backwell, with a cheery whistle 

[Kernow Otter]

Turntable was used successfully today for the steam tour. Apparently it has dropped by 3" on the works side so cannot be used as a through road but can be used for turning if approached from the Par Docks end.

Photos

http://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/newspage---latest-news-reports-and-photographs