An Afternoon in Lostwithiel 05-07-12

One of the less well known locations for catching frequent freight services in the Southwest is Lostwithiel, which is located on the Great Western Mainline between Bodmin and Par and is the junction station for the freight only branch to Fowey Docks. On an average weekday, up to 4 freight trains can pass through this station running China Clay services from Burngullow Clay Works to the Fowey Docks, usually consisting of St Blazey based Class 66s together with rakes of CDA Hopper wagons.
Before the arrival of the Clay service, the usual passing of infrequent HSTs and Sprinters trundled north and south amongst the almost fully semaphore signalled area, with all signals being controlled from the adjacent Lostwithiel Station Box. At around quarter to three, Former-EWS Class 66, number 66156. Today's service was once run by the abundant fleet of Railfreight Distribution Class 37s which used to growl up and down the Camel Valley until the mass introduction of Class 66s from 1999 to 2001. Now 37s are indeed a rare sight along this route, only making appearances on the infrequent Charter or Measurement Train.
Running through the station at slow speed, the 66 ran into the Up Loop to allow an FGW HST to overtake, the locomotive then ran round its long rake of CDA Hoppers before pulling the train into Lostwithiel station to collect the key that would allow it to run down the Fowey Branch. With the Semaphores clanking into their respective positions, the 66 slowly rumbled onto the branchline with its long train in tow.
Enjoy!

[@ADMIRALSCORNER]

I recently visited the station briefly but nothing passed by on the rails! Great to see here what does come by!

[@kevintregunna]

Great video not much in the way of clay traffic nice catch cheers for sharing .....Kevin