Liskeard and Caradon Railway

Acknowledgements
Peter Murnaghan for providing photographs with detailed information on the Liskeard and Caradon System
together with proof reading.
Mike Roach for organising and compiling the information for the various walks by the Cornwall Railway Society which were held on 1st June, 1996 to The Cheesewring. 1st May, 1999 to Kilmar Tor and 20th September, 2003 to the Cheesewring.
Keith Jenkin for providing the copying & correction facilities
Alan Harris, Sid Sponheimer, and Roger Winnen for providing photographs

Liskeard and Caradon Railway locomotive Cheesewring at Old Oak Common depot in 1919

img 296a Cheesewring contructed by Gilkes Wilson & Co in 1864 for the Liskeard & Caradon Railway,it was later rebuilt at Swindon in 1907 and became GWR 1311 two years later and moved to London. This photograph was taken in the yard at Old Oak Common, London 26th July, 1919, four weeks later she was withdrawn for scrap. Alan Harris Collection

img296b The nameplate of Cheesewring a Liskeard & Caradon loco which in later years worked in the London area, withdrawn in August 1919 after a visit by members of the Railway Club who persuaded the GWR shed staff to couple Cheesewring to an engine in steam, out over the turntable, and to position her on a siding adjacent to the ramp of Old Oak Commons huge coaling stage. This is where Herbert Gordon Tiddy, a renowned railway photographer for the Great Western Railway, captured the sorry state that Cheesewring had descended to on film. Alan Harris Collection -

790519k L and C Locomotive 'Caradon' firebox at The Cornish Steam Preservation HQ at Bugle on the 19th May, 1979. This firebox now resides at the Bodmin & Wenford Steam Railway. Copyright Roger Winnen

After photographing the empty tank wagons  departing on the Moorswater Cement Train 0n 3rd August, 2017 I visited Liskeard Town Centre and came across these Milepost etc of the Liskeard & Caradon Railway situated outside of the Town Museum
Roger Winnen

170803b Liskeard Caradon Milepost details

170803a Milepost etc from the Liskeard and Caradon Railway.

We now follow the route up from Moorswater to Caradon and the line's eventual terminus, high up on Kilmar Tor

Moorswater

Click here for map of Moorswater area courtesy National Maps of Scotland 25" to the mile 1892 - 1905   http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=16&lat=50.4526&lon=-4.4867&layers=168&b=1

Moorswater - the view from the viaduct whilst the trackwork was being rationalised. Notice the white house which can be seen below the cherry pickers in the picture below now the only remaining links to the past. 24th August 1974 Copyright Roger Winnen

170708a Moorswater taken on 8 July 2017 - Notice the house just below the blue cherry pickers which can be seen on the photograph below a comparison with Roger Winnen's photograph above taken on 24th August, 1974. Copyright Peter Murnaghan.

A 'zoomed in' version of the above picture. 24th August 1974. Copyright Roger Winnen

This is Foundry Bridge, GWR Number 14, of 28' 6" span and 16' height, which carried a minor road from the Turnpike to the former Iron Foundry Site at Moorswater. 26th August 1974 Copyright Roger Winnen

Close up of the old Foundry Bridge at Moorswater 26th August 1974. Copyright Roger Winnen

PM026 1502 Moorswater station platform beneath the viaduct

A picture from the Maurice Dart Collection taken in 1947 of Moorswater station in use as a bungalow.

PM 003 1610 This is a lovely woodland route is known as High Wood and is open to the public. Some of the tight curves were eased out in 1863/4 to assist the introduction of steam locomotive working of this previously horse worked railway. P1050459R See eM 6th Jan

PM 004 1610 Part of the track is carried on a massive stone faced embankment, which passes over a foot tunnel to provide access to the woodland bordering the track. On this stone embankment is a rectangular metal relic, which might be something to do with the signal and telegraph equipment that was added later by the GWR during their ownership from 1909. Peter Murnahan

PM 005 1610 The High Wood level crossing, not showing the original gates but showing the old rail fence post above the left hand gate post

PM 006 1301 This is Woodhill Bridge on the line from Moorswater built in 1846 (to join the upper section from Cheesewring to Tremabe of 1844) the line crossed the minor lane on a level crossing. However with the introduction of locomotives on the line the company were required to build this graceful bridge in 1863/4 0551R

PM 007 1301 Woodhill Bridge, showing the Network Rail marks CCZ 9miles 06chains from Looe Buller Quay 0559R

PM 008 1301 Woodhill Bridge, The old granite sleeper blocks were recovered from the line as it was upgraded to deal with the heavier traffic. Many of the old granite sleeper blocks were re used to economise on contract cost of various structures including this embankment structure. 0566R

img318 Woodhill Bridge L & C Rly Alan Harris

790507a Woodhill Bridge on the 7th May, 1979 Note the bridge rail in place. Copyright Roger Winnen

790519p The parapet of Woodhill Bridge on the Liskeard & Caradon. Copyright Roger Winnen

​  From Woodhill Bridge the line then disappears into private land, partly ploughed over, for some distance.  On this section, the next clear relic is the site of the old level crossing across a minor lane at Old Treworgey.  Here, the road level still rises to cross the track, where remains of the crossing keeper's hut and gateposts (with hinge) still remain in a ruinous condition.    

1602 Milepost 10 (from Looe Quay) on embankment south of Old Treworgey. On private land, photographed with permission of the landowner. 987 copy .jpeg Peter Murnaghan..

1703 Old Treworgey level crossing with the gate hinge 'opened for rail traffic' across the lane, just for the purposes of the photograph.65 copy .jpeg Peter Murnaghan

1703 Old Treworgey level crossing, showing the remaining gate hinge on the granite post. The remains of the gate itself are hidden in the ivy.64 copy ,jpeg Peter Murnaghan

1703 Old Treworgey level crossing. Note the hump in the lane where the railway crossed from Moorswater (left) towards Caradon (right).57 copy .jpeg Peter Murnaghan

750201q The line crossed under the road at this point running parallel alongside the road to Treworgey at this road junction near Tremabe. At this point the road has been widened and the bridge is no longer there, but there is a memorial to the bridge on the roadside verge comprising of some stones and a short section of rail. Copyright Roger Winnen

Tremar area map courtesy National Maps of Scotland Os 25" to the mile 1895 - 1902.  Click zoom and pan
 ​http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=15&lat=50.4915&lon=-4.4704&layers=168&b=1

730922a The Caradon Line crosses the road as you enter Tremar. Copyright Roger Winnen

SS Tremar snowscenes 25.11.05 Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Tremar Snowscene Copyright the late Sid Sponheimer

The late Sid Sponheimer
​Sid, a prolific supplier of pictures to this website, knowing that his passing was near courageously gathered together a few pictures of the L & C, his passion.  These follow in memory of our dear friend Sid who passed away on the 23rd September 2017.

Picture, taken over the fence of the L & C trackbed across Termar bridge. We think Sid got permission for this but are not sure. A rare view you wouldn't want to miss. Note the fixing holes drilled in the granite block. Copyright

One of Sids proud possessions - a fish plate off the L & C. Copyright

An L & C granite sett plus chair. Copyright Sid Sponheimer

The site of Tremabe Bridge. Copyright Sid Sponheimer

The plaque. Copyright Sid Sponheimer

Photographed by Sid Sponheimer

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750201d Tremar Lane crossing on the approach to St Cleer. Copyright Roger Winnen

790507f St Cleer Well. Copyright Roger Winnen

790519n The Coal Shed at St Cleer on 19th May, 1979. Copyright Roger Winnen

1507 St Cleer coal store under reconstruction. 508 copy.jpeg Peter Murnaghan

PM 1703 The former Coal Store at St Cleer is now in use as part of a house.

750201r This is Whitegates Crossing at Higher Tremarcoombe, with East Hendra Farm in the background. Craddock Moor Mine chimney stack is visible also. Copyright Roger Winnen

PM009 1406 Darite formation 0394R

790507g The site of Polwrath Goods depot on the Liskeard & Caradon Railway, little remains of the site today. Copyright Roger Winnen

960601c The Crow's Nest Inn. Copyright Roger Winnen

790507h This is the view across the eastern end of Crows Nest looking to two of the South Caradon Mines (Holmans nearest and Kittows away to the distance on the right) The prominent white building in the centre is Staton Farm and the railway can just be seen above its roof level running clearly across the picture from left to right towards Tokenbury Corner. Sadly, this section of line is inaccessible to the public now, being within Stanton Farm's private ownership. Copyright Roger Winnen

750201a Looking down on the line at Crow's Nest. Copyright Roger Winnen

960601d Walking to South Caradon Mine,we stop at the wheelpit put up in 1844 to hold a 40foot waterwheel. Copyright Roger Winnen

960601e South Caradon Mine Bridge of 1861 was erected when the line was extended to Tokenbury Corner and East Caradon Mine. Copyright Roger Winnen

PM010 1312 Crows Nest bridge 0755R

750201b South Caradon Mine Bridge. Copyright Roger Winnen

030920a The embankment seen on our approach from Crow's Nest. Copyright Roger Winnen

030920c Showing the Caradon Mines. Copyright Roger Winnen

960601g The CRS Party at South Caradon which was the original terminus of the line from Liskeard to Caradon. Copyright Roger Winnen

030920d The base of the Water Tower and the CRS Party. Copyright Roger Winnen

750201g Caradon Mines. Copyright Roger Winnen

750201f In the vacinity of South Caradon Mine. And the original terminus of the line. Copyright Roger Winnen

750201h Caradon Mines and the original terminus of the line. Copyright Roger Winnen

030920f Crow's Nest headshunt and stopblocks. Copyright Roger Winnen

960601k Looking down into the Valley. Copyright Roger Winnen

030920g The mines of South Caradon. Copyright Roger Winnen

790519b Sleeper Blocks at South Caradon. Copyright Roger Winnen -

960601zw Holmans engine house at South Caradon Mine. Copyright Roger Winnen

960601m South Caradon dressing floors, site 'office' and the Crow's Nest Y Junction. Copyright Roger Winnen

960601i Walking the old alignment. Copyright Roger Winnen

030920h The old stone sets leading up to the Gonamena Incline. Copyright Roger Winnen

PM011 1204 The approach to Gonamena incline. Sleeper blocks and rail 6375R

960601p Keith Jenkin and Peter Butt on the lower part of the Gonamena Incline being a Gradient of 1 in 11 approx 400 metres. Copyright Roger Winnen

960601q Part of the Gonamena Incline. Copyright Roger Winnen

960601r The party on the lower part of the Gonamena Incline disused since 1877 Michael Roach, our guide for the day stands at the centre. Copyright Roger Winnen

960601s Climbing over the fence as we head up the incline. Copyright Roger Winnen

960601t A discussion in progress. Copyright Roger Winnen

img303 L and C Rly Old stone sleeper blocks of the Gonamena Incline. Alan Harrris Collection

960601u The old stone sleeper blocks of the Gonamena Incline. Copyright Roger Winnen

img302 LCR Rail put to alternative use Alan Harris Collection

990501a LCR Gonamena Incline, site of underbridge,northern face. Copyright Roger Winnen

PM012 1204 Gonamena incline 6371R

030920j The Gonamena Incline with a milepost visible. Copyright Roger Winnen

030920k A boundary post of the Liskeard and Caradon Railway visible from the Gonamena Incline. Copyright Roger Winnen

960601v A relic above the incline. This piece of machinery had no particular connection with the railway, apart from making use in the difference in levels provided by the cutting, with its stone retaining wall and the level of the prevailing land above. We are told that it was a stone crusher of Grizley. It was powered via a belt from a stationary diesel engine or power take off from a tractor. The landowner used to back a trailer under it and the stones that came from the nearby burrows were crushed and the reduced diameter stone was used for the lane to Gonamena and other tracks. The crusher has now gone, but the timber pier is still in place. Copyright Roger Winnen

img305 A relic on the Gonamena Incline of the Liskeard and Caradon Rly Alan Harris Collection

PM013 Gonamena LCR boundary post 0073R

PM015 1408 South of Minions. Never used embankment nr Pontons Piece 0074R

img315 Ponton's Piece Liskeard & Caradon Railway. Alan Harris Collection

030920l These cottages are known as Ponton Piece and possibly predates the railway. Copyright Roger Winnen

PM014 1204 South of Minions 6368R

960601y Walking on the stone sets as we arrive at Minions. Copyright Roger Winnen

960601z The Cheesewring Hotel at Minions. Copyright Roger Winnen

PM016 1701 Minions, formerly known as Cheesewring Railway. The line crossed the road here 1844-1877 0217R

img308 Minions Village L & C Rly Alan Harris Collection

Minions on Bodmin Moor. Alan Harris Collection

990501c The party gathers at Minions. Copyright Roger Winnen

990501b Martin & Susan Boyns on the walk. Copyright Roger Winnen

For a 25" to the mile 1895 to 1902 zoomable map of this area courtesy National Library of Scotland click here 
http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=16&lat=50.5165&lon=-4.4510&layers=168&b=1

PM017 1309 Minions site of loading platform 1685R

PM018 1309 Minions tracks diverge 1683R

960601za Houseman's Engine House of the South Phoenix was later converted into a dwelling 1919, and fell into disuse. This is now a Heritage Centre, with a free exhibition telling the story of mining on Bodmin Moor. Copyright Roger Winnen

960601zl Walking the railway back to Crow's Nest via the new line around Caradon Hill. Copyright Roger Winnen

960601zm On route back from the Cheesewring to walk around Caradon Hill. Copyright Roger Winnen

960601zo Coming down from Cheesewring. Copyright Roger Winnen

960601zp Rounding Caradon Hill. Copyright Roger Winnen

750201l Minions Rillaton Bridge. Copyright Roger Winnen

030920r The former Rillaton Bridge. Copyright Roger Winnen

960601zr The party walks under the former Rillaton Bridge. Copyright Roger Winnen

750201j Looking back towards The Cheesewring Quarry. Copyright Roger Winnen

750201i The hunt on Caradon Hill. Copyright Roger Winnen

960601zs Wheal Jenkin Mine. Copyright Roger Winnen

030920s Wheal Jenkin Mine at Minions. Copyright Roger Winnen

Wheal Jenkin Mine. Alan Harris collection.

img320 This photograph is taken quite near to Wheal Jenkin mine looking back to Rillaton Bridge (although you can't see it) The most significant feature in this photograph is the large roofless industrial building in the right medium distance. This is the Electricity Generarting House built to supply power to South Phoenix Mine during its final working of 1907-1911: coal was supplied to it from railside storage bins a short distance from the junction with Phoenix Siding at Rillaton Bridge. The building was converted into a domestic bungalow in the 1960s but retains its footprint and some of its original external features. Alan Harris Collection

960601zt Bellingham's engine house at Wheal Jenkin Mine. Copyright Roger Winnen

790519c Tokenbury Corner photographed on 19th May 1979. Copyright Roger Winnen

790519d The original Liskeard and Caradon Building at Tokenbury Corner, photograph taken on 19th May, 1979 Copyright Roger Winnen - Copy

960601zv Tokenbury Corner. These are the original buildings of the Liskeard and Caradon, altered slightly which have been now turned into a dwelling. Copyright Roger Winnen

img317 14.25 Milepost of the Liskeard & Caradon Railway Alan Harris Collection

790519e Milepost 15 near Tokenbury Corner. Copyright Roger Winnen

960601zx Crow's Nest Y Junction and headshunt. Copyright Roger Winnen

img319b- Phoenix United Mines Liskeard - a postcard from the Alan Harris Collection This was north of Minions and was productive from 1850 to 1884. The peak year being 1863, when 5698 tons of copper ore were produced. This mine employed 180 men, 80 women and Four Pumping Engines in 1854. It closed in 1898, was reopened in 1907, closed again on the outbreak of the First World War and thereafter there were only three trains per week north of Moorswater.

8. Approaching Phoenix United Mine which was connected to the Liskeard & Caradon by a siding from Minions. Copyright Sid Sponheimer

9 .Phoenix United Mine tramway Copyright Sid Sponheimer

10. Phoenix United Mine entrance Copyright Sid Sponheimer

960601zd Phoenix United Mine. Copyright Roger Winnen

030920n The approaches to the Cheesewring Quarry. Copyright Roger Winnen

1602 Cheeswring - the lines to the Quarry 0716R Peter Murnaghan

This picture is taken from the top of Cheesewring Granite Quarry looking back south towards Minions.  There are three different arms of the railway in view in this picture. Starting from the quarry floor in the bottom centre, there is still a section of rail in place, after 100 years of disuse. It's just about visible in the photograph before the sinuous track snakes its way, first to the left and then to the top centre of the picture towards Minions. This is the 1871 branch line built to serve the expanding quarry. Part way along its course are the building remains of Stowes' Shaft, which was linked by a inclined tramway (difficult now to spot) which ran in a straight line to Pheonix United Mine, down in the valley to the left. This old mine shaft has opened up (top centre) and now severs the track bed.
Over to the right is the earlier 1844 alignment that has continued across the moor to the long established moorstone workings on the slopes of Stowes' Hill. This alignment was curtailed the quarry expanded and was superseded by the 1871 alignment. In the shadow at top right is a siding from this earlier railway, which led off in a cutting to further moorstone working on the south slope of Stowes Hill. And finally, over on the far left, at the edge of the sunlit moorland, is the Kilmar Railway of 1858 heading north.

For a 25" to the mile zoomable map of this area courtesy of National Library of Scotland click here
http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=15&lat=50.5277&lon=-4.4515&layers=168&b=1

img321a Working at the Cheesewring Quarry. Alan Harris Collection

730922d The entrance to Cheesewring Quarry north of Minions. Copyright Roger Winnen

960601ze Rails into Cheesewring Quarry where 100,000 stone sleeper blocks were cut for the Liskeard and Caradon Railway. Copyright Roger Winnen

960601zf The CRS Party at Cheesewring Quarry. Copyright Roger Winnen

960601zg Stone sleeper blocks at Cheesewring Quarry. Copyright Roger Winnen

960601zh The Quarry and the Cheesewring. Copyright Roger Winnen

960601zi Rails at the quarry. Copyright Roger Winnen

990501d The Kilmar Railway marked its mileage from Minions in quarter miles. So this one is 2 quarters or a half mile from Minions. Copyright Roger Winnen

960601zk The Kilmar Tor trackbed. Copyright Roger Winnen

990501e The line to Kilmar Tor. Copyright Roger Winnen

990501f The continuation of the line to Kilmar Tor. Copyright Roger Winnen

990501g Passing the Cheesewring Quarry on route to Sharp Tor. Copyright Roger Winnen

990501h Lyn Goulding stands on a piece of rail and surveys the scene near the Cheesewring Quarry. Copyright Roger Winnen

990501i The passing loop at the site of Sharp Tor coal depot. Copyright Roger Winnen

990501k Old stone sleeper blocks at the site of Sharp Tor coal depot.. Copyright Roger Winnen

990501ze Walking to Kilmar Tor. Copyright Roger Winnen

990501zf Climbing to Kilmar Tor. Copyright Roger Winnen

1507 Kilmar 0613R Peter Murnaghan

1507 Kilmar 0598R Up on Kilmar Tor showing the super elevation of the track on the West Kilmar Branch with its sophisticated banked bend to assist the gravity worked wagons of granite as they headed down towards Moorswater and Looe. Peter Murnagham

990501zg The track alignment at Kilmar Tor. Copyright Roger Winnen

990501zh Returning from Kilmar Tor. Copyright Roger Winnen

990501m On route to Bearah Tor. Copyright Roger Winnen

990501n Keith Jenkin photographs the walkers on route to Bearah Tor. Copyright Roger Winnen

The junction between the Kilmar Tor line and the Bearah Tor branch were the walkers are on route. Copyright Roger Winnen

990501p Climbing to Bearah Tor. Copyright Roger Winnen

990501q On route for Bearah Tor. Copyright Roger Winnen

990501r Moorland cattle view the party. Copyright Roger Winnen

990501s Moorland Cattle. Copyright Roger Winnen

990501t Bearah Tor Quarry. John Gallagher and Jerry Chandler Copyright Roger Winnen

990501v A cast chair at the quarry. Copyright Roger Winnen

990501w The Quarry Crane at Bearah Tor. Copyright Roger Winnen

990501y A truck on rails at the quarry. Copyright Roger Winnen

990501z The quarry truck. Copyright Roger Winnen

790519i Rails at the end of the Quarry. Copyright Roger Winnen

990501zb Bearah Tor Quarry. Copyright Roger Winnen

990501zd The party with our leader Mike Roach at Bearah Tor. Copyright Roger Winnen

For a 25" to the mile map 1895 / 1902 Courtesy National Library of Scotland click below. Note some of railway is already disused. ​​http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=16&lat=50.5475&lon=-4.4679&layers=168&b=1
​

130113 Tramway track at Beara Tor granite works P1060022R

The northern extension of the Liskeard and Caradon from Sharp Tor to Trewint (just south of the old A30) that was built across Withey Brook as far as Rushyford Gate in 1886, but never opened for traffic. Copyright Peter Murnaghan

A picture of Alec Kendall's book The Lost Years of the Liskeard and Caradon Railway.  This 148 page book was produced for the Caradon Heritage Project (now wound-up) and covers the period of Great Western Railway ownership of the line from 1909 until the formal act of abandonment in 1931.  The book is the result of three years' exhaustive research into the twilight years of this railway, when hard facts were hard to come by.  What happened at the closure in January 1917 and what became of the track and equipment?  Alec Kendall has delved into contemporary accounts of the Great Western Railway and photographs and other documents from a variety of sources to come up with a very readable account of this shadowy period after the line's boom years.  This well illustrated book was published in 2013 for £12.

There is currently one copy of this publication still available, at a bargain price of £9 posted to CRS members. If you'd like it, please contact us via [email protected]