I spent the early May bank holiday week in Cornwall and not being one to miss an opportunity I sneaked off to do some more research on the railway at St Blazey and Par – on which my “Landreath” N gauge layout is based.
Currently, my model making efforts are focused on the Tin mines and landscape elements of my layout (more on this shortly) but I’m beginning to think about the next stage of the project. In particular buildings that make St Blazey so interesting from a railway perspective – the roundhouse, engine sheds and workshops and ancillary buildings.
Engine and Workshop Sheds
I’ve take general pictures of these structures before (see St Blazey railway pictures) so this time wanted to capture the detailing that I’ll cover in future DIY model railway building posts.
Although it was obvious that these were railway buildings the lack of track leading from them – as is visible around the roundhouse engine shed – had concerned me. On this visit I had a look around and was pleased to see that while there are no tracks emerging from the buildings themselves there is a section of track running alongside the engine shed and which could have gone no where but to these buildings so allaying my earlier fears. I guess the remainder of the track, which would have run upto and through the doors shown here, has been removed at some point.
But on with the detailing pictures.
Close up of the corner of the St Blazey railway workshops showing roof and corner detailing.
The roof of the St Blazey railway workshops, continuing from the corner.
The main tower of the St Blazey railway workshops. Not the double arch detailing and flag pole above the door
Peripheral Buildings
Map showing railway building locations at St Blazey, Cornwall. Map via Google.
While there and with time on my hands, I also took the chance to have a look around the surrounding area.
Given the proximity of this shed (seen on the right) to the main railway works buildings (in background on the left) it’s likely that it too was a railway building, perhaps a tool shed.
First up, and just a few hundred yards along Harbour Road, which leads off St Blazey Road as seen on the map above, is a small shed which today serves as a car shop.
This is now situated just beyond the fencing that encloses the main workshop buildings but given it’s location (see picture to Left showing it in relation to main workshop buildings) is entirely possible/likely this was part of original railway yard infrastructure. Perhaps a tool shop of some kind.
In the picture of this shed, below, the construction materials can be seen. These are different to the standard brickwork used on the main workshops (above) and round-house but typical of Cornish stone work (and similar to that used for mine buildings at the time).
A shed near the main workshops at St Blazey, likely to be part of the original railway yards.
Further along Harbour Road, at the junction with the A3082 and opposite the Par Inn, is a level crossing next to which is a delightful small cottage. Given its architecture there’s little doubt this was probably used as a railway cottage – possibly for the level crossing staff.
A railway workers cottage at the Par level crossing.
Railway workers cottage at Par, view from opposite side also showing part of the level crossing.
This, and the level crossing, sit on one of the two lines that lead South out of the St Blazey/Par loop.
The line from Par leading off to the West eventually arriving at St Austell and Penzance while this line and the river to which it runs parallel traveling the short distance to Par Harbour (also on the agenda as a setting for possible future expansion of my layout) to the South.
Great Pinnock Tunnel
On the subject of Par Harbour, and somewhat further away, is the Great Pinnock Tunnel.
Pinnock Tunnel Entrance
This is the longest tunnel in Cornwall and runs for just over 1Km between the Par to Fowey harbours. It was built for the original mineral tram lines and as such very much deserves a place on my layout and while I feature it I’ve had to relocate it across the landscape to fit in the space I have available. I’ll be scratch building this entrance later to match the design shown in the picture but for now I’m using a Ratio Models tunnel entrance as a place holder.
The road to this tunnel is not open to the public so getting pictures isn’t easy. Luckily there was a tour of the site (arranged by Wheal Martyn) taking place during my visit so I was able to gain access and take this picture.
> A final, personal, note: I spend a huge amount of time testing, photographing, writing and researching techniques for these articles and pay for all the running costs of MRE out of my own pocket. If you found this article useful you can support me by making a donation on my fund-raising page. Thanks and happy modelling, Andy.
Andy is a lifelong modeler, writer, and founder of modelrailwayengineer.com. He has been building model railways, dioramas, and miniatures for over 20 years. His passion for model making and railways began when he was a child, building his first layout at the age of seven.
Andy’s particular passion is making scenery and structures in 4mm scale, which he sells commercially. He is particularly interested in modelling the railways of South West England during the late Victorian/early Edwardian era, although he also enjoys making sci-fi and fantasy figures and dioramas. His website has won several awards, and he is a member of MERG (Model Railway Electronics Group) and the 009 Society.
When not making models, Andy lives in Surrey with his wife and teenage son. Other interests include history, science fiction, photography, and programming. Read more about Andy.