Cornish China Clay Trains & Boats - End of an Era

[@steamtothewest-trecanrail]

Small update : This film was made on Monday 7th August, but I released it on Sunday 13th August. During this time, parts of this film became out of date. Firstly, thank you very much for the views and comments, it really is rather flattering. From Wednesday through to Sunday, I was away, and with limited phone service and signal, I never found out JIA’s were sourced and ready to replace trains from the Monday as if the CDA wagons had never been withdrawn. I have since seen the JIA’s in action, admittedly only briefly driving over the level crossing at Lostwithiel and seeing them in the goods loop. Furthermore, the idea that it was the beginning of the end for China Clay trains is incorrect, following substantial investment into future-proofing the Fowey Branch. Also, it would be devastating for the Cornish Economy. I will make a sequel in the near future, with the new wagons. It won’t be as comprehensive as this video, but I will go to Golant and Lostwithiel. Once again, thanks for watching, enjoy the video, more to come soon.

[@stinchjack]

Cool. It wasnt clear from the description that the clay trains would continue or if it would go by trucks. I hate trucks.

[@robwellings1608]

Thanks for such an evocative film. Glad the industry appears to have replacement waggons so the service can continue. Otherwise it is just another nail in the coffin of our once great country. Keep up the good work 😂

[@steamtothewest-trecanrail]

Many thanks!

[@atlanticcoastexpress]

An excellent video - carefully and very professionally filmed! Thank you! The little coaster you videoed that had come from a Germany is also a frequent visitor to Poole Harbour where I think the local Clay is loaded from heavy lorries. She’s a busy little ship! Regards from Rob In Bournemouth.

[@cwt5654]

Wonderfully evocative filming, quite possibly the best railway video I have ever seen! Always an air of sadness when these long running services come to end... I remember seeing the HAA wagons rolling around Oxley Chord before Ironbridge power station closed in 2015.

[@steamtothewest-trecanrail]

Many thanks

[@tommiles8982]

Great video and presentation. Well remember these when new to the area. Used to get hoots off the class 37 drivers whilst on the river on my fathers steam launch. My best memory is being just in the wrong side of the luxulyan viaduct when a pair of 37’s were running a rake of empties up the bank. Wow what a sound. Wish that I could hear that again!

[@bc312070]

Just loved it, wonderful & full of atmosphere. Thank you!

[@watto-and-the-bear]

Really interesting video and thank you for taking the time to make it. Very professionally done. Would never have known about the retirement of these clay wagons, what a shame that there is yet more uncertainty for another local industry. Lets hope replacements are sourced quickly! Also subscribed to your chanel as this was so good. Thank you.

[@EllieMaes-Grandad]

The logo of ECC was derived from the conical spoil heaps which surrounded St Austell. Back in the 1960s, streams in the area ran white. The view of the bay from ECC offices (that of the FD as it happened) showed a huge white area offshore; that was 1978. The beach at Carlyon Bay was deep mica back in 1987 - might still be . . .

[@andy5202]

Really enjoyed that, and a very well made video too. Brings back memories as I grew up in Par so remember all the old clay trains on the lines, and the St Blazey yard full of empty wagons. Thank you.

[@moxon2313]

Lovely Video & A Sad but Fantastic Way to End on the China Clay CDA's - Great Video.

[@darrenhillman8396]

You have a well-deserved like and a new subscriber. Very well produced video. The CDA’s were a design derivative of the famous and successful HAA design - sad to see them being phased out but if they are worn out then that is simple financial and practical expediency at work. But they have taken their place in railway history, just as the clayhoods did before them. But thank you for capturing this working so well, for posterity and future railway historians. 👏🏻👏🏻

[@jeanpierre-xw1wb]

Amazing video quality and filming, very sad that the future of China Clay is unknown.

[@steamtothewest-trecanrail]

I may have spoken too soon, I put that film together on Monday, it’s now Sunday, and new wagons (JIA) have been sourced.

[@jeanpierre-xw1wb]

@@steamtothewest-trecanrail that's positive news .

[@titup2]

Lovely record; thanks. I reckon the total weight of the first train, inc loco, about 3500 tons.

[@Martin_Adams184]

I don't think it can be quite as much as that. The wagons are converted 32 ton HAA's, originally built to carry coal on merry-go-round trains. Thirty-eight wagons at a heavy estimate of 40 tons each, plus a class 66 loco of not more than 130 tons (they can vary a bit) comes out at around 1600 tones. Maybe I'm wrong about the HAA conversions; but their axle load cannot be more than around 20 tons. That's still a hefty load!

[@titup2]

Ah, the wagons I looked up were said to be 80 tonnes fully loaded ; obviously got the wrong ones.

[@steamtothewest-trecanrail]

It will be anything up to 1800 tonnes.

[@Martin_Adams184]

I was not quite right about the HAA's being converted into CDA's. The latest issue of "Railway Herald" has this to say about the china clay wagons that are being retired: "A total of 124 wagons, TOPS code CDA, were built at Doncaster from 1987 specifically for the clay traffic, being based on the MGR wagon design. In addition, a further 15 wagons were added to the fleet in 1989, being converted from HAAs."

[@daystatesniper01]

Superb video ,i remember as a kid on holiday watching the 52s and 25s on the clay hoods down there ,happy memories

[@steamtothewest-trecanrail]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@csxrensville5105]

I stayed in a cottage in Golant 10 years ago about 100mtrs from where you filmed. Great view from the bedroom balcony of the train going past. Nice pub at the end of the lane!

[@steamtothewest-trecanrail]

It’s a good pub.

[@piskiepeg6963]

Just came across this video,excellent by the way. As a someone who lives in Lostwithiel,seeing these trains

[@trains3501]

You have produced something great here for us, 26 years of revenue certainly paid for them, I wonder what the build cost was?

[@Martin_Adams184]

A good piece of filming and editing, with good choices of camera position; and the explanations are helpful. Thank you!

[@steamtothewest-trecanrail]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@andrewhotston983]

Great video. I remember getting some photos of trains at Carne Point from a small motor boat that we'd hired - there was a Class 37 on the old wooden clay hoods, and an ancient Class 08, still with its pre-TOPS number. That would have been in the mid 1980s.

[@mpetersen6]

The maroon and yellow livery reminds me of the Wisconsin Central. I know they were involved in UK freight operations 20 to 25 years ago. Mostly bulk freight iirc.

[@owencarlstrand1945]

From memory Wisconsin Central started EWS at Privatisation under Ed Burkhardt. I met him once in Doncaster.

[@frananmar1]

Thank you for that , ongoing has the service finished or are new wagons being brought in to do the job , cheers , Frank.

[@ntsteam59]

Followed the working on a map while watching this brilliant video very informative.

[@pesawatindonesia]

Superb Mister 🤩🤩🤩

[@kevinpennick3604]

Lostwithiel is apparently where my surname originates from... Love this part of Cornwall.

[@drdoolittle5724]

That was brilliant Sir, made the pilgrimage from Par to NQ many years ago and the history of the line You brought to life again _ remember passing the 'Works' and wondered back then how/what/where it all occurred! So what wagons are taking their place please?

[@steamtothewest-trecanrail]

Thank you, they’ve been replaced by JIA wagons.

[@lyndongingell1445]

Thanks for the video. It was the best one I’ve seen about China clay trains. Its very sad about the CDAs being retired. I hope the service is resumed soon. I model the very train on my layout so it looks like I’ll be modelling history. I’ve stocked on JIAs so it’s fine. Thanks again for a great video.

[@steamtothewest-trecanrail]

I’m glad you enjoyed this. The China Clay service resumed as if nothing had happened, just different wagons.

[@lyndongingell1445]

@@steamtothewest-trecanrail ah I see. JIAs ?

[@mikeuk4130]

Ah, I see. Good to have a happy ending instead, after that story and very sad music. I look forward to the next one, hopefully with pairs of 37s or 56s!

[@allsearpw3829]

How many tons on the move here ? amazing video , thanks .

[@stevethomas5267]

Strangely enough I've just watched one of the old Trainspotting series about the Cornish china clay

[@kenhelix4494]

At 3:38 does the driver really leave his seat to collect the token? Thus is there a Dead Man's Handle over ride. Never seen this before and am curious. Excellent video!

[@S2RUF]

There is a DSD button on the other side for exactly this scenario, the driver will have his hand on it whilst collecting the token. As soon as he releases it the DSD will start to beep, so he’s got about 5-6 seconds to get back in the chair and out his foot on the DSD pedal again.

[@tango6nf477]

What a really professional and interesting video, thank you it was very much enjoyed. Do you know what if any future the Fowey Brach has or are Network Rail itching to close it and turn it into a footpath?

[@steamtothewest-trecanrail]

Probably not, they’ve just pumped a lot of money into the line. www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/network-rail-shore-up-lostwithiel-7578155

[@tango6nf477]

Thanks for the reply, I am glad to hear it, so many of this type of line have vanished its good to know this one wont. @@steamtothewest-trecanrail

[@joginns778]

Brilliant video work can you tell me is the token equipment still at goonbarrow a few years ago i was lucky enough to get an invite into the signal box,

[@rail324nqch-par-8]

Long may remaining china clay freight traffic continue

[@RoryTrackrod]

Reminds me of the Middleton sand train..

[@simonallen6427]

what are they using instead of these wagons?

[@steamtothewest-trecanrail]

JIA’s

[@quolizzy1554]

Are these the ones that come into Par for clay? I seen them only last week. Is this going to be a thing of the past?

[@ianbird9143]

Why have they come to the end of service.. are they scraping the train service and going to trucks ??

[@DavidMartin-ym2te]

So it's not the end of an industry then, merely replacement of one type of wagon for another - so clickbait title then....

[@ColonelBogie]

Would be wonderful if railways were opened to passenger traffic once more

[@steamtothewest-trecanrail]

Yes

[@EllieMaes-Grandad]

At 2:** why does the local train stop when the board is off?

[@chriswright6504]

To exchange tokens

[@EllieMaes-Grandad]

Thank you. @@chriswright6504

[@andymckenna1262]

Collects the token for the single line branch.

[@EllieMaes-Grandad]

Interestingly, the board was 'off' . . . . so I wondered. @@andymckenna1262

[@pfield39]

So how is the china clay going to be transported now?

[@steamtothewest-trecanrail]

supposedly JIA wagons

[@mattdandex]

Are they being replaced by new wagons?

[@FlyingForFunTrecanair]

Yes 👍

[@grampus2112]

Network Rail want rid of the 4 wheelers , they were the last twin axle wagons in regular everyday service

[@updistant705]

Are'nt there still some 4 wheel cement wagons? @@grampus2112

[@Sam_Green____4114]

So are the trains ending ? Aren't the wagons being replaced with modern ones ?

[@steamtothewest-trecanrail]

⬆️ Pinned Comment

[@Sam_Green____4114]

Why is it a pinned comment ?@@steamtothewest-trecanrail

[@steamtothewest-trecanrail]

@@Sam_Green____4114 read my pinned comment 😂

[@davinahockin3536]

​ 1:45 @@steamtothewest-trecanrail

[@conceyullena]

Beautiful video, suscribe to channel, greetings from Asturias 🚂👍👋🙋‍♂️

[@pim1234]

I read 'and lost a wheel' LOL

[@MartyTrains200]

What days do these trains run?

[@steamtothewest-trecanrail]

Most weekdays and the occasional Sunday. Real-time trains is your friend for this.

[@MartyTrains200]

@@steamtothewest-trecanrail heard it doesn't always run sometimes

[@steamtothewest-trecanrail]

That’s why I said most weekdays, typically 4 but occasionally only 2 or 3

[@frananmar1]

....and where are the wagons being stored , cheers.

[@steamtothewest-trecanrail]

No idea, the last thing I've heard is that they are at St. Blazey. Presumably they will be scrapped although I'm aware that the Bodmin and Wenford Railway are trying to save a few.

[@leonblittle226]

National Wagon Pres group are attempting to save a short rake of operational wagons (pick of the best) at the Bodmin and Wenford railway. at the time of this post they have enough money contributed to purchase around six wagons with the aim to get eight operational - if funds allow extra wagons maybe obtained to be scrapped for spares.

[@richardchadwick4028]

Theirs very little freight running in the west country, that to me says alot about this country and are reliance on others . Damn shame 😕

[@henrydunn6521]

why are the cda beening pention off.

[@leonblittle226]

Over 35 years old & worn out - they haven't left Cornwall in many years, and i don't think they have been north of Plymouth since delivery in 1987

[@andymckenna1262]

Short wheelbase wagons are less stable 😂😂. Very important on this short journey.