I’d only been to Newquay a couple of times, but I was put off from further visits as it was obviously different to the others with their traditional fishing, mining or farming orientation, and without any particular “saving grace”. Because it was a single track destination without much in the way of railway infrastructure or locomotive provision, time wasted in traveling there when there was much more likelihood of seeing more interesting sights along the main line, I didn’t go there to appreciate the route better until well into my adulthood.
Newquay Station on 27th May 1958 hosts two tank engines working towards the main line – on the left 5552 leads the 4.35pm to Chacewater and on the right 4167 with the 4.45pm to Par. The GWR running-in board has a new infil panel. Photo: J.N. Faulkner. 580527A01-NQY-s5552-PAS_I
D6307 heads a freight at Newquay Station on 21st August 1963. It has still to receive a warning panel, though overhead wires signs are fitted. As the first of the production run, it has a grating instead of louvres centrally on the bodyside to optimise ventilation. 630821A01-NQY-D6307-PAS_I
A single-car DMU in green with small warning panel sits ready to leave at Newquay Station in 1965. The crossover to release locos from platform 2 is clearly seen beside the unit, and the scene is full of barrows, trolleys and seating. The goods yard once to the left of the platforms is now a car park. 65###AJ01-NQY-STATN-VI__N
Newquay Signal Box in the 1960s, kept in very good order. It is protected by a very substantial concrete “buffers” at its southern end, and, opposite, the stark white hexagonal track circuit sign indicates the presence of the most useful signalling safety feature developed. 6####GH01-NQY-SIG_B-VI__S
This early 1900s sepia tinted postcard image shows a Newquay-bound train crossing Trenance Viaduct of an earlier form than the current masonery one, in an otherwise undeveloped landscape and with fairly unusual widely-splayed piers under the girder beams.I have seen images of this view cropped differently in various printings. #####AA01-NQY-VIADT-VI_NW
Bugle Station, facing north east, is viewed from the end of the island platform. To the left against the loading stage are a rake of wagons and a van – the stage being the most significant structure I remember from my first visit other than the platform and bridge. 65###AB02-BGL-STATN-VI_NE
A Newquay-bound train of Mk1 coaches pauses at Bugle on the Newquay branch in August 1973, reminding me of a visit to the village with Penzance AFC in the years I followed the football club. The running in board has the distinctive ‘G’ of its GWR origin, suspended between two pieces of old rail. The loading bank to the left of the photo was a distinctive memory too. 7308##A01-BGL-STATN-VI_NW
Protruding from Bugle station building is the distinctive short, high-angled awning that makes you question its usefulness in a downpour. The view is south east across the site, with wagons parked against the loading stage the only sign of productivity. 65###AB03-BGL-STATN-VI_SE
One of the running-in boards at Bugle station is viewed looking north, with granite and block-built housing seen through the gap below. The board is wooden, showing the distinctive ‘G’ of the GWR font used, and it is suspended between two pieces of rail. 65###AB01-BGL-R_I_B-VIS_W
This rather camera-shaken print was taken south east along the platform at Bugle Station on a cloudy day, emphasising its stark functionality. Back-to-back benches are the only hint of passenger comfort here – no niceties like flower beds or refreshment provision! 65###AB04-BGL-SYARD-VI_SE
Another poor quality shot, sadly, only retained because of its historic value. Roche Signal Box has been built slightly onto the station platform, presumably for sighting problems on the bend through the site. A storage van flanks it on one side, and a stone wall the other. 65#######-RCH-S_BOX-VI_SW
A Class 25, towing a failed DMU, passes onto the loop at St Dennis Junction while the signalman drops the signal for the Newquay train in an all-semaphore area. Weeds grow on the tracks and yellow flowers brighten the drainage ditch beside the tracks. 7####DP01-SDJ-25###-PAS_I
Single-line working on the Newquay branch required passing points – particularly at points like St Dennis Junction where china clay lines joined, too. In 1971, an outgoing 3-car DMU gets a clear road now the inbound service has reached double track again. 710616A01-SDJ-DMUX3-PAS_I
Waiting to receive the token from the Par service DMU is the signalman, on the opposite side of the track to his box. The line to the right runs through china clay country to St Austell, and in recent times was rooted as a replacement for the easterly route. 760611A01-SDJ-DMUX3-PAS_I
Seen from the A30 road bridge northwestwards, 2-car DMU set P480 crosses from double to single track, passing a short platform still just showing the foundations of a water tower. The closest cab rather inappropriately still has ‘FALMOUTH’ wound up in its destination blind! 841121A01-SDJ-DMUX2-PAS_O
Seen from the slip road to the A30 crossing Goss Moor, a three car DMU powers away from St Dennis Junction Signal Box. Fencing of old rail flanks one side of the track, leading to a lineside staff mess building and store with lean-to toilet on the far side. 841121A01-SDJ-BLDNG-PAS_O
A train of Mk1 stock, Par-bound, passes Luxulyan station in August 1973. It retains two well-maintained GWR running-in boards, a pagoda waiting shelter, broken-off gas light column and little else beside. The platform-edge safety stripe only extends a few carriage lengths, indicating the normal alighting area: a very isolated and potentially dangerous station! 7308##B01-LUX-STATN-VI_NE
A view of the Luxulyan Valley from the Treffry Viaduct as ‘Warship’ class 809 “CHAMPION”, still in maroon livery, takes the 09:50 Paddington to Newquay under it in the Summer of 1971. A profusion of foxgloves pokes from the ferns and undergrowth in different places, and bushes and trees jostle for space, cramming themselves close to the recently-ballasted line. 71###AC01-LUX–d809-PAS_I
A ‘Western’ is pictured descending towards Par from Newquay – the loco is in recent-Works condition, and many of the coaches behind are in a similar condition. Although recently ballasted, the track beween the rails has been coloured brown by leaking oil from trains struggling against the gradient as they climb towards China Clay country. 71###AC02-LUX-D10##-PAS_I
The Eric Curnow Collection 