The
Portreath branch
by Laurence Hansford
Portreath branch
by Laurence Hansford
Laurence gives us the privilege of a fascinating insight into his youth at St Ives and of how a rare foray on a tea treat roused his interest in the port of Portreath with its incline and harbour. At that time cars were a real luxury which could only be afforded by the more affluent members of society and because of the steep hills surrounding St Ives cycling wasn’t really practical. Please click here to get to the Portreath branch section of this website and then scroll down to read Laurence’s article together with pictures taken in the early sixties along the route of the Portreath branch. Many rare and very interesting views accompany his article.
Many thanks indeed Laurence for your extremely interesting article.
Many thanks indeed Laurence for your extremely interesting article.
A 'zoomed in' view from Druids Road bridge, the main line in the foreground, in the background lies Carn Brea Yard whilst the rusty track to the right is the former Portreath branch. In Carn Brea yard an be seen piles of concrete sleepers recovered from the closed Chacwater - Newquay branch. This dates this picture to 1964/5. Copyright Laurence Hansford.
The stub of the Portreath branch looking towards Portreath. Behind the photographer the sidings merged to curve into Carn Brea yard. In the foreground a siding added about 1908. This remnant of the branch was used in the 1960's for condemned stock. During WW2 many wagons were stored out of harms way along the branch. Copyright Laurence Hansford.
The port of Portreath taken from near the foot of the incline. Note the large stocks of coal which had been brought in by sea through the treacherous narrow entrance to the harbour alongside the cliffs. Also note the array of cars parked outside. Copyright Laurence Hansford.
A look back up the incline, formerly turnplates were located here to provide access to the docks. The wall across the trackbed was erected during WW2 to make this a less attractive route for tanks had Cornwall been subjected to an invasion. Copyright Laurence Hansford.
Salisbury
John Cornelius
John Cornelius
Copyright John Cornelius