St Blazey Turntable

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the Cornish Guardian:

Campaigners vow to continue fight to see St Blazey's rail turntable restored


DETERMINED: Rail campaigners Ben Harding and Sam Hooper at the St Blazey turntable with their petition

After four months spent battling to have a railway turntable in St Blazey restored to full working order, campaigners say they are disappointed the century-old structure remains in such a dilapidated state.

Railway volunteers Ben Harding and Sam Hooper started a petition to have the turntable at St Blazey engine shed restored after rail operator DB^» (Deutsche Bahn - German State Railway - about) Schenker (DBS^» (Deutsch Bahn Schenker - UK^▸ (United Kingdom) website)) declared it unsafe earlier this year.

The Frankfurt-based company, which runs china clay operations in the area, said it no longer used the turntable, and refused to foot the six figure repair bill. But steam train tours entering Cornwall rely on it to turn their engines around.

With the turntable out of action, tour operators were left in the bizarre position of being forced to run their trains through the county backwards ^ a situation diplomatically described as ^not ideal^ by Nigel Dobbing, managing director of the Railway Touring Company.

After a brief impasse which threatened to see the end of steam tours through the Duchy, DBS allowed tour operators full use of the turntable providing they sign an indemnity agreement making them financially liable if it suffers further damage.

The company also announced it had entered into talks with tour operator West Coast Railways to discuss a plan of action which would eventually see it repaired. That was in July, and since then little appears to have happened.

Ben and Sam^s online petition continues to gather signatures, and the turntable continues to gather rust.

Ben said: ^It^s all very disappointing. Whether DB Schenker are planning something for the winter I don^t know. We^ve certainly not heard anything. Whatever happens it^s going to need more than a lick of paint and some grease to restore it to good working order. We want to see it properly repaired.^

He added: ^People have continued to sign the petition, but we left it for a while because we thought we might see something done. Obviously that hasn^t happened. All we can do now is carry on.^

A spokesperson for DB Schenker said talks with West Coast Rail were ongoing, but stressed that finding a solution would take time. ^West Coast Rail has commissioned their own structural survey to establish the turntable^s condition,^ they said. ^They have also been offered guidelines about how to use it safely, but they cannot use it in its full capacity. It^s the best solution we can find at the moment. We are open to discussions about how to accommodate everyone^s wishes for the turntable.^

Last month Cornwall councillors announced the formation of a cross-party group which aimed to ^see Cornwall once again known as 'The Land of Steam'.^

The group, led by Cornwall Councillor for Redruth South, Ian Thomas, gave the campaign their backing. But Mr Thomas told the Cornish Guardian it was a complicated issue to resolve. ^My understanding is there are several organisations who have expressed an interest in maintaining the turntable, but nothing has been guaranteed,^ he said. ^But we have a great passion for steam in Cornwall. It^s part of our heritage, and an incredible magnet in terms of attracting tourism, so clearly something needs to be resolved so that can develop and continue.^

To sign Ben and Sam's petition, visit http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/st-blazey-turntable

[LiskeardRich]

I'm guessing it's seen plenty of use this weekend, Braunton, Nunney Castle and tangmere are all in Cornwall over the weekend.

[old original]

Looks like it could be getting some government funding....

http://www.cornishguardian.co.uk/8203-Seven-iconic-coastal-heritage-sites-Cornwall/story-28346329-detail/story.html

[Andy]

I'm relieved to read that there are signs that all is not lost in the long term with this turntable. If there were the possibility of a roundhouse + turntable preservation deal, I think the best solution would be for it to be operated and used as a maintenance/storage base by the Bodmin & Wenford preserved railway. This would enable it to house their non-operational locos in the form of a museum exhibition - rather like the Engine House which exists on the SVR - and turn mainline steam locos as and when needed.

A relocation to Penzance would also be a good solution if the money's there. With no need for a visiting steamie to do an up and back to St Blazey, there might be increased possibilities for more railtours. With the Laira triangle just beyond the other end of the Cornwall main line, it might even be possible to do Plymouth-Penzance and back - twice - in the summer months.

If wishes were horses....

While writing this, I got carried away and had a fantasy of an entire day given over to steam from Plymouth-Penzance - or hydraulics. How wonderful that would be! 

[Chris from Nailsea]

While writing this, I got carried away and had a fantasy of an entire day given over to steam from Plymouth-Penzance - or hydraulics. How wonderful that would be! 

I think 'you really ought to get out a bit more', Andy! 

[Kernow Otter]

Seems the turntable is to be awarded ^ 15k for a mechanical refurb, not to include the vacuum mechanisms.  This is subject to a transfer of ownership from DBS^» (Deutsch Bahn Schenker - UK^▸ (United Kingdom) website) to a  not for profit organisation.

[ellendune]

This is subject to a transfer of ownership from DBS^» (Deutsch Bahn Schenker - UK^▸ (United Kingdom) website) to a  not for profit organisation.

You mean an organisation like Network Rail?

[Kernow Otter]

More like this http://www.cornishguardian.co.uk/50-000-lifeline-St-Blazey-roundhouse-turntable/story-28341111-detail/story.html

Good progress has been made, and a not for profit charitable trust has been established to move the project forward.  Seems the turntable was independently inspected last week by an expert in turntables who pronounced as being in better condition than he had been led to expect.

[LiskeardRich]

About 3/4 way down there is photos. http://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/headlines---latest-reports-and-photographs/archives/08-2016

The duchess of Sutherland was turned on the St Blazey turn table a couple of weeks back.

She will be the biggest steam train turned as it's believed she's the biggest steam train to have entered Cornwall- previous weight restrictions, now removed on the Tamar Bridge prevented such heavy steam trains entering Cornwall.

[Gordon the Blue Engine]

Please do a hundred lines of:

"The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train." 

 

[Chris from Nailsea]

 


 

[LiskeardRich]

Please do a hundred lines of:

"The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train." 

 

As requested. Ctrl + V is an excellent tool for doing this!       

The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
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The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
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The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
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The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
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The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train
The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train

[grahame]

Please do a hundred lines of:

"The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train." 

 

Simples

Code:

 perl -e 'for (1..100) {print ("The Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive, not a steam train.\n")}'

[bobm]

What a shame computers were not readily available when I was at school!

[bobm]

Duchess of Sutherland didn't make it to St Blazey on Sunday with diesel 47580 taking over from Plymouth to Par and back.  It was a planned change so not sure what the issue was.

Loco was in fine form passing the seawall



It carried the Royal Duchy headboard going down.  From other photos I have seen it carried The Cornish Riviera Express for the return trip.