St. Blazey Turntable

Exactly, let’s hope that the St Blazey Turntable doesn’t end up in the same or similar situation.

 

They need one of those at Darlington, though don't know if the St. Blazey table is the right size.

 

We don't want the turntable removed, we want it to remain in place as a working piece of equipment. Darlington is a long old way away, can you image the haulage costs for that.

 

Question for those in the know regarding the complex DBS China Clay operations, do they ever use this turntable for wagon or locomotive turning? The china clay is what has kept St Blazey depot alive and if the clay traffic were to cease then I fear that the depot (turntable included) would soon follow which would be most unfortunate.

 

My copy of Trackmaps, reinforced by a look at Google Maps, suggests that it is still in use for access to the DBS facilities. How essential that is, and whether it could be changed, I wouldn't like to say.

As for the future of the china clay traffic, it is what keeps the depot alive and if it were to falter, then the depot would go the way of so many others.

 

Not really relevan to the thread but do you know how the china clay is doing, you don't hear much about it but I did hear that the contract maybe up for renewal soon.

 

How often though is it used? and does the amount of use make a case for its retention? If the worst-case scenario were to happen, what other regular destination could benefit from a turntable, if there's room to install one, for example, Swanage's is too small, but could a larger one be installed elsewhere, that would certainly be of use not just for turning tour engines, but for their own use, Weymouth? then where else, that involves having to drag steam engines backwards, such as Eastbourne, but the lack of tours here in the Southeast, would not make any kind of a case for installing a turntable, anywhere in Kent, or Sussex, unless you include the Bluebell, but again, where could one be sited?

 

This is only a part of Imerys worldwide business with its HQ in Paris.

https://cmga.org.uk/imerys-cornwall...nvest-in-innovation-and-regional-development/

 

Weymouth was mooted in the past for a turntable, but I believe it was deemed not possible. Seem to remember the council were not keen either. These days with only a couple of DCE's (this year one) and no other steam tours by any other operator not sure the economics would stand up in any way at all. Who would pay for it?

 

The turntable is leased from DB to MPower Kernow, who are doing a great job establishing a skills and training centre with a heritage bent at St Blazey. I see no reason why the closure of the DB site would prejudice the operations of MPower.

The turntable is part of a grade II* listed complex and removing it would be extremely problematical in planning terms. Historic England and the Railway Heritage Trust Grant aided its restoration a couple of years ago.

 

I hope you’re right (although this issue isn’t mentioned, there are lots of positive news items on the MPower Kernow Facebook page) but if DB’s their current landlord things may well change if railway ops finish and the site’s sold to a new owner with different ideas.

 

What are the chances of the railway operations changing? If DB don’t get the next contract it may go to someone else who would then take over the site I assume so MPower could continue. It’s if the rail haulage of china clays ceases all together then there may be an issue.

 

This says DB’ve closed the depot and put the site up for sale “either for rail or for non-rail use":
https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/site-cornwalls-historic-railway-turntable-10475029.am


The ‘listed’ status’d protect the turntable to some extent - but not the track connecting it to the network.

 

This looks pretty unfortunate. DB are slowing being wound up anyway it seems so I am not suprised by this but saddened none the less.

It also doesn't sound overally hopefull for the China Clay either as it's not just a base for locos and wagons for that, it also maintains the RHTT during it's running season etc. Either the clay is being taken over by someone else or it's being wrapped in.

 

The whole operation is a shadow of its former self. There's one rake of wagons that trips between Goonbarrow,

The china clay traffic is not ending, it will run from Goonbarrow which is about six miles in the direction of Newquay. It consists of one locomotive and one rake of wagons. There is no need for a yard at St Blazey. There are no staff employed there. DB are simply getting rid of something that is a liability. Whether the china clay industry in Cornwall has a future is debateable, currently lithium is the buzz word.

 

Yeah I am aware of the single rake of wagons (used to he more before the CDA’s were retired obviously) and that it’s a single locomotive.

What I wasn’t aware off was the fact that there are no staff employed there, I thought there were a few but clearly I was wrong.

Lithium definitely is a buzz word, although I don’t think the extraction rate in terms of raw tonnage is enough for rail transport unless we’re talking aggregate left over from extraction.

 

The final HSTs are also being retired next year, the turntable used to be used for the odd power car. There really is very little use for it so can't blame DBS for getting rid.

 

Neither do I as unfortunate as it is. When you're loosing millions per annum you need to cut costs where they can and if off loading this site will save money then it must be done. It's a shame as back in the EWS days the company was mighty but seems to have dwindled recently although the rise of the likes of GBRf and others probably hasn't helped.