History St Blazey engine shed

cornwall minerals railway locomotive treffrey delivered depot in 1874

st blazey engine shed dates opening of cornwall minerals railway on 1 june 1874. line linked fowey , newquay via par in cornwall. engineer sir morton peto , built workshops railway on north side of par, close adjoining town of st blazey. workshops included distinctive roundhouse engine shed of 9 70 feet long roads around turntable. each shed road had 58 feet long pit between rails servicing engines. area boasted erecting , repair shop, fitting shop, smithy, boiler house , 2,500 gallon water tower.

because of location, engine shed known par. on 1 january 1879 loop line built cornwall railway station @ par after cornwall minerals railway engine shed , adjacent station known st blazey avoid confusion of 2 stations same name.

the cornwall minerals railway operated great western railway october 1877. new, elevated coaling road , 45,000 gallon water tank provided before 1908.

the great western railway nationalised british railways 1 january 1948. first diesel locomotive allocated st blazey in november 1960. last steam locomotive workings shed on 28 april 1962.

the roundhouse has since been converted industrial units since april 1987 adjacent wagon repair shed has been used service diesel locomotives, local passenger trains, , wagons used china clay traffic. british rail privatised in 1990s, goods traffic , workshops @ st blazey becoming responsibility of freight operator english welsh & scottish railway (now db schenker rail (uk)).

the turntable has been retained turn preserved steam locomotives still visit cornwall on special main line workings listed in historic england s heritage @ risk register deteriorating through lack of maintenance. goods traffic still loaded @ st blazey in sidings adjacent depot.