St Ives (Cornwall) freight

[6Gman]

Posters on here were very helpful regarding freight on the Looe branch, so . . .

In the steam era (specifically the 1950s) was there a freight service to St Ives? And, if so, how did it work given the fairly intensive passenger service and the lack of passing places?

TIA

 

[deltic]

Working timetable from 1949 can be seen here https://www.michaelclemensrailways.co.uk/?atk=613

There was a freight train at 8.36 from St Erth arriving at St Ives at 8.53, returning at 12.36 SO and 2.07SX. Some very tight timetabling was involved, the freight train leaving St Erth 1 minute after a passenger arrival and arriving back SX 1 minute before a St Erth passenger departure.

Cornwall railway society has some pictures showing the layout at St Ives including freight services http://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/st-ives-branch.html

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

The Cornwall Railway Society has comprehensive write up of the St. Ives branch, including freight workings.

St Ives Branch

St. Ives was a 'passing place', being fully signalled and having a run-round loop and numerous sidings. The passenger service was broadly hourly (with longer gaps) so not too much difficulty fitting in a freight on the 4.25 mile branch. Mixed trains were also run when freight traffic was light. Milk traffic was also handled in the St. Erth bay platform / dock from the adjacent creamery