THE OPENING of the
CORNWALL RAILWAY
Michael L. Roach
2nd May 1859
CORNWALL RAILWAY
Michael L. Roach
2nd May 1859
The first section of the Cornwall Railway was formally opened 160 years ago today on Monday 2 May 1859. This was the 54-mile length from Plymouth Millbay to Truro. However the ultimate destination, reached in August 1863, was Falmouth and not Penzance as might be expected. There were a couple of reasons for choosing Falmouth as the western end of the Cornwall Railway. Although it was in decline, Falmouth was a much more important town because of its harbour and shipping and Penzance already had a railway in the shape of the West Cornwall Railway which had arrived at Penzance in March 1852, but that statement hides a complicated history. The West Cornwall was extended eastwards to Highertown, Truro in August 1852. When the Cornwall Railway arrived at Truro in May 1859 it was finally possible to travel from London to Penzance by changing at Truro but only from August 1860. Once again there was a tortuous succession of events involving temporary stations at Truro, and the first through train from London to Penzance did not run until 1 March 1867.
It had taken 26 years from its inception in 1833 to get the first section of the Cornwall Railway built due to a catalogue of difficulties, opposition from other schemes, and financial problems. There was also the small matter of crossing the River Tamar at Saltash, which was a major obstacle for a small local railway. Luckily the Cornwall Railway had the support of the Great Western Railway and later it had the services of the legendary engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Its arguable that the construction of the Royal Albert Bridge across the River Tamar and the consequent opening of the Cornwall Railway were the most important events to occur in Cornwall between 1800 and 1899.
If you wish to read more about the early history of the Cornwall Railway the writer recommends the book "The Struggle for the Cornwall Railway" by Hugh Howes (ISBN: 978 0 906294 74 1). Its fitting that the book was published by Twelveheads Press of Truro.
MLR/30 April 2019
Many thanks Mike for your article and reminding us of this important date in Cornwalls Railway History.
Falmouth Station
We do not have images for the original Falmouth Station. Wilkipedia has an excellent article which can be found using this link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falmouth_Docks_railway_station However just to remind you of the Falmouth station of the 1960's here are three from the Patrick English Collection and one from Roger Winnen.
Falmouth station - a view from the approach taken in 1966 by the late Patrick English Copyright
Just inside the station and looking towards Truro one sees the usual display of posters and also the bookstall. 1966 From the late Patrick English collection.
Staying beneath the awning but taking a view a few degrees to the right we see a heritage unit standing at the second and current platform. In the middle distance the siding to Falmouth Dockyard diverged and dropped down to this complex. The 'barrel roof' section of awning still remains in use today. 1966 Copyright the late Patrick English
A view of the very much reduced platform at the station now called 'Falmouth Docks' taken on the 2nd August 1986 by Roger Winnen. Copyright. 142024 which is pictured is history as well - these four wheel units were not popular on the twisty Cornish branches and were dispatched east soon after this picture was taken. One thing in their favour were the large windows.
Redruth Relaying
Alan Peters
Alan Peters
Enginering work east of Redruth of the up line relaying which was taking place at that time. In the distance is Treleigh road overbridge. 14th January 2017 A classic view taken by driver Alan Peters Copyright
Many thanks Alan.