If you register, you can do a lot more. And become an active part of our growing community. You'll have access to hidden forums, and enjoy the ability of replying and starting conversations.

St Blazey Turntable Closure

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by al-mac, May 16, 2014.

  1. Christopher125

    Christopher125 Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2005
    Messages:
    2,839
    Likes Received:
    558
    Location:
    Isle of Wight
    Apologies if mentioned elsewhere, but Steam Railway reports that Barrow Hill's Mervyn Allcock has signed a 7-year lease on the site - and plans to restore the turntable!
     
    Western Venturer likes this.
  2. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

    Joined:
    May 30, 2009
    Messages:
    21,068
    Likes Received:
    20,778
    Location:
    1016
    Heritage Railway Volunteer:
    No I do not currently volunteer
    That's good news as at least it makes it more likely that steam could continue to occasionally reach Penzance and Newquay.

    That said, if you are being realistic about it all there remains a limited need for regular steam travel beyond Plymouth. The Royal Duchy to Plymouth remains a decent trip with a continuation by diesel to Par if necessary although in my view truncating at Plymouth is no great hardship. If you then count the number of times that steam heads further west than Plymouth it's a very limited market because of the distance and time involved. I can only think of GB trips where it has been workable and that hardly justifies having the turntable operational all year.

    If this were to become the start of something more regular/seasonal commencing in the south west in the future then so much the better but I doubt it. Look at the far better location of Weymouth for a turntable that has never come to anything but irrespective of all this, it's another turning location retained.
     
  3. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2006
    Messages:
    5,922
    Likes Received:
    3,831
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    East Grinstead
    As reported in Trackside Magazine where there are more details, includes repair inspection pit and fit out the maintenance building
     
  4. Christopher125

    Christopher125 Part of the furniture

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2005
    Messages:
    2,839
    Likes Received:
    558
    Location:
    Isle of Wight
  5. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

    Joined:
    Apr 16, 2009
    Messages:
    8,069
    Likes Received:
    5,165
    I don't know how many there have been, but certainly quite a few besides GBs. RTC's Atlantic Coast Express has run at least once to Newquay and once to Penzance, and there was a UKRT/ A1SLT trip to Penzance in 2017.
     

Share This Page