On our childhood holiday in Fowey, I can remember seeking out the station, finding little in the way of remains, and seeing a couple of 08 shunters, now work-worn and apparently in private hands. I only visited a more few times in total, one of which was on a DMU special down to Carne Point where we trundled along at walking pace, and most of what I can remember was the view across the water to St Winnow, the intermediate harbour of Golant, and plants growing out at an angle at the water’s edge. I did wander down beside the track from Lostwithiel, but didn’t get far, and I probably only saw trains emerging from the branch on a couple of occasions as we passed through.
On 11th May 1968, a couple of weeks before the closure of the Par to Fowey branch, single unit W55016 took enthusiasts for a final appreciation of the line in BR hands. Cameras snap and men wait around taking in their final view or stroll over the site Photo: C L Caddy. 680511A01-FOY-DMUX1-SPECL
This view of the China Clay facilities at Fowey shows buildings and loading staithes of GWR vintage only modernised where necessary, and with the closest piers unused. Dust rising from the hold of the ship moored up indicate transshipment is in progress. 6####ER01-FOY-DOCKS-VI__N
D1023 ‘WESTERN FUSILIER’ and D1056 ‘WESTERN SULTAN’ both blast away on two engines on The Western China Clay’ Railtour at Fowey on 4th December 1976. Seeing these locos so frequently, the tour had little appeal to me then. 761204A01-FOY-D1023-SPECL
An early 60s view of ships on the River Fowey being loaded with china clay at the terminals – one raising considerable dust. This inlet is a “ria” – a sunken valley – and therefore deeper than usual, and better for large vessels to navigate than most rivers are. 60###AD01-FOY-RIVER-VI_NW
Still in its last BR livery, and with engine access hatch showing missing machinery, D3497 is parked out of use by the riverside on the branch near Fowey. Reassuringly, fresh signal trunking nearby suggests that a sound future for the line remains. 69###AK01-FOY-D3497-PARKD
Derelict, and heavily stripped for spares, D3497 awaits its fate by the riverside on the branch near Fowey. With rather forlorn hope, an amateur British Rail logo and numbering have been painted on her side to recreate some sort of identity for the loco. 69###AK01-FOY-D3497-PARKD
A couple of “clay hood” stand isolated on rusty tracks, a short distance from a rake of others closer to the Carne Point china clay loading jetties. Judging by the water on the concrete apron under the main track, washing off the clay happens here. 8605#AA02-FOY-SIDNG-VI__S
This trackside sign near Carne Point demarcates different spheres of operation, with instructions, “Stop and telephone. E.C.C locomotives must not pass this point.” It is repeated with BR emphasis on the similar sign a short distance beyond. 8605#AA01-FOY-TRACK-VI__N
The Eric Curnow Collection 