Military and Industrial Tramways & Light Railways
Credits, Many thanks to all contributors - please see a list on the home page.
Entries are arranged in alphabetical order.
N.B Articles on the Sennen Cove and St Michaels Mount railways appear at the end of this section.
Hay Tor Tramway
Haytot Tramway Copyright Peter Butt
H1 Haytor Tramway 3rd November 2016 Copyright Davis Hibberd
H2 Haytor Tramway 3rd November 2016 Copyright Davis Hibberd
Recent Discoveries
- The Haytor Granite Tramway
Pictures and an article by Colin Burges
- The Haytor Granite Tramway
Pictures and an article by Colin Burges
One of the most interesting things to have been uncovered in recent years is the extent of the Haytor Tramway at Ventiford Basin, between Teigngrace and Heathfield on the Moretonhampstead Branch. This was the terminus of the Stover Canal and the tramway, but no one had any idea that the track layout remained beneath the surface; all else beyond where the tramway was buried by the later railway around Granite Siding has gone and it was thought that the section near Pottery Road, Bovey, was the lowest surviving.
Ventiford Basin was in ruins until a few years ago but recent archaeological work by the Stover Canal Society and construction of a neighbouring path as part of the Dartmooor "Granite and Gears" project has transformed the area.
Through M. & S.D.R, G.W.R., B.R. and another ownership, the canal passed to Network Rail as an historical legacy. It leases the dry "waterway" to Teignbridge District Council which sublets it to the society.
Only 24 years after this "stone age" line was built, Daniel Gooch was able to drive a train from Paddington to Exeter and back along the modern railway.
Ventiford Basin was in ruins until a few years ago but recent archaeological work by the Stover Canal Society and construction of a neighbouring path as part of the Dartmooor "Granite and Gears" project has transformed the area.
Through M. & S.D.R, G.W.R., B.R. and another ownership, the canal passed to Network Rail as an historical legacy. It leases the dry "waterway" to Teignbridge District Council which sublets it to the society.
Only 24 years after this "stone age" line was built, Daniel Gooch was able to drive a train from Paddington to Exeter and back along the modern railway.
Looking towards Haytor, the line turns left to follow the course of the Moretonhampstead Branch. Colin Burges
Copyright Colin Burges
A turnout in more detail. It is conjectured that a rudimentary point rail deflected wagon wheels in the facing direction. Copyright Colin Burges
Lookng in the opposite direction, the Moretonhampstead Branch is on embankmnt at right. Among those in the know there is always some sadness when a place is opened up & interpreted, but without these works this may never have been discovered. Copyright Colin Burges
Ventiford Basin, the terminus of the Stover Canal recently dug by the tramway is on the left, the later railway on the right. Copyright Colin Burges
Many thanks to Colin Burges for this most interesting article.
Hythe Pier Tramway
Roger Salter
A collection of pictures taken on a visit on the 30th March 2017
Roger Salter
A collection of pictures taken on a visit on the 30th March 2017
Leaving the ferry from Southampton. 30th March 2017 Copyright Roger Salter
The pier terminus . 30th March 2017 Copyright Roger Salter
The motive power at the land terminus. 30th March 2017 Copyright Roger Salter
The coaching stock ready to be propelled out to the pier terminus. 30th March 2017. Copyright Roger Salter
Looking out along the pier. 30th March 2017 Copyright Roger Salter
The pier terminus offices. 30th March 2017 Copyright Roger Salter
A look back at Hythe Pier. 30th March 2017 Copyright Roger Salter
Lee Moor Tramway
The Lee Moor Tramway has been visited on a number of times by the Cornwall Railway Society. Perhaps the most memorable time was, when as the West Cornwall Group Plymouth Railway Circle several members were given a guided tour over the route by Ivor Hocking, himself a member of the group involved in the restoration of the two locomotives which were stored on the upper section of the line. One of the locomotives was eased out of the shed for photographs with the aid of pinch bars. There was a valuable collection of relics already being stored.
A brief history care of Wikipedia:- A new line from Marsh Mills to Lee Moor was opened in 1856, in part to replace the old Plympton branch of the Plymouth & Dartmoor Railway. Two inclines were worked by stationary engines. The lower one, at Cann Wood, was worked by the descending wagons hauling up the ones travelling in the opposite direction, while the upper incline, at Torreycombe, was provided with water tanks that could be used to counterbalance heavy wagons being taken up the slope. The tramway crossed the Tavistock line on a level crossing near Marsh Mills and trains then continued to Plymouth along the old Cann Quarry line and original Plymouth and Dartmoor track. This entailed another level crossing of the South Devon main line between the Embankment Road and Laira engine sheds.
A brief history care of Wikipedia:- A new line from Marsh Mills to Lee Moor was opened in 1856, in part to replace the old Plympton branch of the Plymouth & Dartmoor Railway. Two inclines were worked by stationary engines. The lower one, at Cann Wood, was worked by the descending wagons hauling up the ones travelling in the opposite direction, while the upper incline, at Torreycombe, was provided with water tanks that could be used to counterbalance heavy wagons being taken up the slope. The tramway crossed the Tavistock line on a level crossing near Marsh Mills and trains then continued to Plymouth along the old Cann Quarry line and original Plymouth and Dartmoor track. This entailed another level crossing of the South Devon main line between the Embankment Road and Laira engine sheds.
Lee Moor. The river bridge from downstream1960's Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Lee Moor Locos in preservation
Lee Moor Number 1 at Wheal Martyn Museum, St Austell. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Lee Moor Number 2 at Torycombe. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Lee Moor Number 2 at Torycombe. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Lee Moor Number 2 at Saltram House - National Trust. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Lee Moor No. 2. gleaming at the Buckfastleigh, South Devon Railway . May 2007 Copyright Sid Sponheimer
L & C Tremar snowscenes 25th November 2005 Copyright Sid Sponheimer N.B . The chimney of Sids bungalow can be seen to the extreme right.
Lynton and Barnstable
Copyright John Cornelius
Copyright John Cornelius
Morwellham Mine Tramway
Penlee Quarry Tramway
- Newlyn, Penzance
- Newlyn, Penzance
Penlee Quarry tramway A diesel locomotive, its nameplate unreadable, stands with a rake of empty wagons, probably about to propel them back towards the crushers, It is June 1972, about a month before the closure of the system. The redundant steam loco stands witness to the final trains. Copyright Mike Roach
A heavy rake of loaded wagons is drawn away from the crushing plant and begins its three quarter mile journey towards the quay at Newlyn. June 1972. Copyright Mike Roach
A loaded rake of wagons approaches the quay at Newlyn whilst a sister locomotive waits to propel its now empty rake off the long loop on the quayside and back towards the crusher. There were four places on the line where the locomotives could run round their wagons, the one on the quay was, however, the longest. June 1972 Copyright Mike Roach
Looking questionably smart in its bright yellow paint the redundant steam loco stands awaiting a new home. June 1972. Copyright Mike Roach
The pier is visited in December of 2013 - surprising what is left.
Rails of the former Penlee Quarry Line on Newlyn South Pier 41 yrs after closure. Copyright Roger Winnen 29th December 2013
Notice the miniature turntable on the pier. Copyright Roger Winnen 29th December 2013
Looking back along the quay with a W Stevenson Trawler on the slip. Copyright Roger Winnen 29th December 2013
One piece of rail survives of the line curving around to access the pier. Copyright Roger Winnen 29th December 2013
Pentewan Railway
The Pentewan Railway was a 2' 6" railway in Cornwall, England. It was built as a horse-drawn tramway carrying china clay from St Austell to a new harbour at Pentewan, and was opened in 1829. In 1874 the line was strengthened for locomotive working. It finally succumbed to more efficient operation at other ports and closed in 1918.
In 1829, Sir Christopher Hawkins made further improvements by linking the harbour to St Austell by means of a horse-drawn tramway that hauled china clay from the quarries on St Austell moor and tin from the Polgooth mines for shipment from Pentewan. Coal was shipped in and transported to the mines and (later) to the St Austell gas works . In 1874, the engineer John Barraclough Fell replaced the tramway with a narrow gauge railway. This operated till 1918, when the rails and locomotives were requisitioned by the War Office. The Pentewan Railway was almost entirely a mineral line, but did occasionally transport passengers on special excursions. A Sunday school outing was described by A.L. Rowse in his memories of a Cornish childhood. Part of the old railway line, from the village of London Apprentice to Pentewan, is now a footpath and cyclepath.
The last trading ship left in 1940. After that, the harbour entrance gradually silted up, though it was still possible for small boats to enter the harbour in the 1960s. Now, although the water-filled basin remains, Pentewan harbour is entirely cut off from the sea.
For more details and pictures of the line in operation click here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentewan_Railway
The above courtesy Wilkipedia.
In 1829, Sir Christopher Hawkins made further improvements by linking the harbour to St Austell by means of a horse-drawn tramway that hauled china clay from the quarries on St Austell moor and tin from the Polgooth mines for shipment from Pentewan. Coal was shipped in and transported to the mines and (later) to the St Austell gas works . In 1874, the engineer John Barraclough Fell replaced the tramway with a narrow gauge railway. This operated till 1918, when the rails and locomotives were requisitioned by the War Office. The Pentewan Railway was almost entirely a mineral line, but did occasionally transport passengers on special excursions. A Sunday school outing was described by A.L. Rowse in his memories of a Cornish childhood. Part of the old railway line, from the village of London Apprentice to Pentewan, is now a footpath and cyclepath.
The last trading ship left in 1940. After that, the harbour entrance gradually silted up, though it was still possible for small boats to enter the harbour in the 1960s. Now, although the water-filled basin remains, Pentewan harbour is entirely cut off from the sea.
For more details and pictures of the line in operation click here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentewan_Railway
The above courtesy Wilkipedia.
The information board at Pentewan sadly vandalised by those with little better to do - what a shame. Some of the scratches have been removed by editing. Photographed by Roger Winnen on the 28th March 2016
28th March 2016. Believed to be a pictures of a rare passenger train - a Sunday School tea treat. Photographed by Roger Winnen.
The Weighbridge at Pentewan. 11th May 1974 Copyright Roger Winnen N.B. The railway arriving from the St Austell direction came for the direction of the white van parked in the distance.
The weighbridge at Pentewan Harbour on the 25th July 1978 Copyright Mike Roach
Rails crossing a culvert at Pentewan This picture 28th March 2016 . Copyright Roger Winnen
Rails on the harbour side, a ramp leading to screens for sifting the sand. 11th May 1974 Copyright Roger Winnen
Rails at the harbour, a group inspecting the area. The late Jack Trounson one time president of the Cornwall Railway Society is seen in the centre of this picture. 11th May 1974. Copyright Roger Winnen
The visiting party move towards the seaward entrance of the harbour passing the loco shed used during the sand removal from the beach period of operations. . The heavy silting up of the harbour is evident in this picture of the 11th May 1974. Copyright Roger Winnen
Pentewan the old loco shed. Nov 15th 2016 Copyright Dave Hibberd
Looking from the old loco shed at Pentewan harbour Nov 15th 2016 - Copyright Dave Hibberd
A closer look at the virtually complete pointwork and the entrance to the shed. November 15th 2016 Copyright Dave Hibberd
Pentewan Old sluice Gate. 28th March 2016 Copyright Roger Winnen
Pentewan Information board by the sluice gate 28th March 2016 Copyright Roger Winnen
En Route - very close to St Austell
Picture supplied by Alan Harris from his own collection.
We are most grateful to Robert Evans for this detailed reply.
Regarding the postcard on your website with information wanted. The view has been taken on the Mevagissey road just below the double roundabout on the St Austell by pass. This is Pentewan Road running from the roundabout today there is Macdonalds, B and Q etc. and bungalows behind the photographer on the left. As you look at the postcard on the left a little further down is a turning to Tregorrick, and just below that is Trewhiddle where the railway crossed the road but no gated level crossing, and after crossing the road there was the only passing loop on the railway. On the right today is the Cornwall Hotel and grounds. The bridge has been renewed, the house is still there and behind the house are the wooden lodges which are part of the Cornwall Hotel complex. As you can see the Pentewan railway track ran along what is today a pavement which is much higher than the road the horse and man on the left are standing down in the road. Horses were used on this section up until 1908, after this date locomotives were allowed to continue all the way into the terminus at the bottom of the town West Hill, St Austell. Railway enthusiasts may be interested to know that Michael Messenger, Twelveheads Press will be publishing a new edition of the book The Pentewan Railway possibly this year 2017. Rob Evans Local Historian Pentewan
Regarding the postcard on your website with information wanted. The view has been taken on the Mevagissey road just below the double roundabout on the St Austell by pass. This is Pentewan Road running from the roundabout today there is Macdonalds, B and Q etc. and bungalows behind the photographer on the left. As you look at the postcard on the left a little further down is a turning to Tregorrick, and just below that is Trewhiddle where the railway crossed the road but no gated level crossing, and after crossing the road there was the only passing loop on the railway. On the right today is the Cornwall Hotel and grounds. The bridge has been renewed, the house is still there and behind the house are the wooden lodges which are part of the Cornwall Hotel complex. As you can see the Pentewan railway track ran along what is today a pavement which is much higher than the road the horse and man on the left are standing down in the road. Horses were used on this section up until 1908, after this date locomotives were allowed to continue all the way into the terminus at the bottom of the town West Hill, St Austell. Railway enthusiasts may be interested to know that Michael Messenger, Twelveheads Press will be publishing a new edition of the book The Pentewan Railway possibly this year 2017. Rob Evans Local Historian Pentewan
The St Austell Terminus.
The Clay Cellars - Pentewan Railway
The Clay Cellars - Pentewan Railway
The St Austell Clay Cellers - Pentewan Railway St Austell 29th December 2016 Copyright Roger Winnen
The St Austell Clay Cellers - Pentewan Railway St Austell 29th December 2016 Copyright Roger Winnen
The other display board on the St Austell Clay Cellers building.Note the harour at Pentewan on the left hand side and the St Austell terminus overlooked from some distance away by Holy Trinity Church. Photograph 29th December 2016. Roger Winnen.
Pentewan Railway
- relics at Wheal Martyn Musuem
- relics at Wheal Martyn Musuem
Relics of the sand recovery operation at Pentewan, seen at the Wheal Martyn Museum. 28th November 2014 Copyright Roger Winnen.
Information about the diesel loco formerly used at Pentewan for the recovery of sand off the beach. 28th November 2014 Copyright Roger Winnen
The 'bare bones' of the diesel loco used for the recovery of sand from Pentewan beach. As seen at the Wheal Martyn Museum on the28th November 2014. Copyright Roger Winnen
Plymouth Corporation Tramways
Briefly. Plymouth Tramways were of standard gauge operating as three independent systems until 1915. The oldest of the three was opened on a line of just under two miles in length on 17th March 1872. There were four depots, a larger one at Prince Rock near the power station, Milehouse, Compton Road. and a small one at Millbay - this closed in 1907.
Lower Compton Road depot
This is Lower Compton Road Tram Depot which was discovered, almost by accident by the webmaster in 1973 - the area has now been re-developed. This depot was in use from 1893 to 1934. there five roads in the yard and four in the shed to hold 16 trams. This was the original depot for horse drawn trams. Final abandonment came in September 1945.
Camels Head Tram Depot
Camels Head Tram Depot - in use up until the 1930's is galvanised iron structure seen in the centre of this picture by Sid Sponheimer. 1960
Another view of the one time tram depot at Camels Head. In the background is a girder bridge part of the 'Southern Railway' route into Plymouth. Both the tram depot and railway route have totally vanished. Copyright Sid Sponheimer. 1960
Milehouse Depot
A collection of pictures taken by Sid Sponheimer during the 1980's and 1990's. Various bits of tram track are still present. Sid has also given details of the various buses present.
A collection of pictures taken by Sid Sponheimer during the 1980's and 1990's. Various bits of tram track are still present. Sid has also given details of the various buses present.
Plymouth Milehouse Depot Offices 19th September 1987. Until shortly before I took it there was a nice square clock on the street frontage. Copyright Sid Sponheimer
.
Plymouth Milehouse Depot Ex Plymouth Corporation No: 115 Leyland Atlantean AN68A Manufactured in 1978.
This picture in July 1995 Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Plymouth Milehouse Depot Depot 19th September 1987 Copyright Sid Sponheimer Traces of tramway tracks in foreground
Plymouth Milehouse Depot internal view 19th September 1987 Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Plymouth Milehouse Depot. Includes 3 open-topped - PCT Nos: 158;159 & 160. Named Golden Hind; Spirit of Plymouth & Plymouth Adventurer. All Leyland Atlantean PDR/1 of 1962/63. Picture taken on 19th September 1987 Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Plymouth Milehouse Depot Internal views with Renault Dodge S56's of 1986 vintage .Nos: 50 & 53. 19th September1987 Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Plymouth Milehouse Depot 4th May 1983 Copyright Sid Sponheimer Very clear evidence of a 'depot fan' of tramway tracks here.
Plymouth Milehouse Depot. Preserved PCT. Leyland PD1 1946 CJY 299. Fleet No: 89. 4th May 1983 Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Plymouth Milehouse Depot. PCT 243 of 1968 Leyland Atlantean PDR2/1 4th May 1983 Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Mileshouse Depot. Ex Western National 2077 Bristol FLF6G 1964. Church Army. 19th September 1987 Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Plymouth Milehouse Depot. External view of east side. 19th September 1987 Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Plymouth Milehouse Depot. Preserved Exeter Corporation No:15 1948 Leyland PD2/1 & London Transport Routemaster Coach RMC 1497 1982. On 28th May 1997 Copyright Sid Sponheimer
Near Derry's clock The webmaster has for many years been a bit of a tram fan. The current revival of this source of transport is very pleasing. During World War Two a very young webmaster was taken out of doors in Redruth and can just remember seeing the sky lit up by the fires in Plymouth as a result of the blitz. Of course I didn't know what it was all about. Shortly after the war I was taken up there and can clearly remember the devastation which I saw there, and also in London. I found it pleasing therefore for many years after the war this short section of Plymouth's tramways near Derry's clock was preserved. Sadly however this track was removed quite soon after the photograph below was taken. Maybe this site is now the Theatre Royal.
Peter Bragg, President of the Cornwall Railway Society writes:- Just noticed Tramway Pictures Near Derrys Clock.
L H Picture. The curved tram lines between the parked cars outside the marooned Provincial Bank did lead westward to Union Street top centre border. Derrys Clock has chimney to right, further right pitched roof of Lloyds Bank.
R H Picture. This is taken from the middle of the curve of L H picture in the opposite direction, note same pitched roof and chimney of each shot. First floor of Lloyds contained noisy Comptometer Machinery for Bank Statements plus stores for old cheques after reading. Just above significant white car centre may be glimpsed the roof of one of two telephone kiosks. Over used, swines to maintain, (when near by underground toilets closed, use your imagination), all this was on my "walking linesman's" load, 1950 to 1951, the squalor of many premises had to be seen to be believed some 10 years after the Blitz.
I stood aged 11 near where U stand looking at the still smouldering many acres of former shops! < peter.bragg1@btinternet.com >
L H Picture. The curved tram lines between the parked cars outside the marooned Provincial Bank did lead westward to Union Street top centre border. Derrys Clock has chimney to right, further right pitched roof of Lloyds Bank.
R H Picture. This is taken from the middle of the curve of L H picture in the opposite direction, note same pitched roof and chimney of each shot. First floor of Lloyds contained noisy Comptometer Machinery for Bank Statements plus stores for old cheques after reading. Just above significant white car centre may be glimpsed the roof of one of two telephone kiosks. Over used, swines to maintain, (when near by underground toilets closed, use your imagination), all this was on my "walking linesman's" load, 1950 to 1951, the squalor of many premises had to be seen to be believed some 10 years after the Blitz.
I stood aged 11 near where U stand looking at the still smouldering many acres of former shops! < peter.bragg1@btinternet.com >
A picture of a tram rosette - used to fix overhead cabling to existing buildings - this is a photograph of a restored example supplied by by William Brown. Not sure if this is Plymouth item
Porthallow & Porthoustock Quarry Tramway
St Keverne and Associated Quarries
A report by Peter Murnaghan
St Keverne and Associated Quarries
A report by Peter Murnaghan
The most southerly disused tramway in mainland Britain – unless you know otherwise !
Whilst the Penlee Quarry tramway on the quay at Newlyn is the furthest west railway relic in Britain, another Cornish industrial tramway can hold the title of the most southerly, if you discount the lines on the Channel Islands.
On the east coast of the Lizard peninsula, the remains of the St Keverne and Associated Quarries tramway system are surprisingly easy to discover. The geology to the north of Coverack provides gabbro rock and hard schist to make gravel for roadbuilding. Quarries along the coast between Porthallow and Porthoustock offered easy access for the dispatch of the roadstone by ship to distant markets.
The stone was first extracted on an industrial scale in the late 19th century, but it was not until 1934 that a rail system was laid to connect four separate quarries along the coast to a combined grading and stone-crushing plant and a quay for loading onto ships. The 2-foot gauge tramway is believed to have started at Porthallow, although there are no obvious signs at this point.
The line is understood to have closed as long ago as 1958, but the route between Porthkerris Cove and Porthoustock is open to all as a Permissive Path and relics of the old tramway can be seen by those who know where to look.
The line ran for over a mile and the best way to see it is to walk along the coast path from Porthallow. Leave the beach at the southern side up a steep path beyond the Five Pilchards public house. Keep to the coast and head for the Diving Centre at Porthkerris Cove. At the south end of this beach, you will find the first part of the line, a causeway with a concrete-edged sea wall, with one line of rail still in situ, together with the remains of plentiful wooden sleepers. The line passed in front of an old quarry, which was probably already disused when the track was laid. This leads up the old rope-worked Pencra Head incline, which took the trucks of stone up from sea level to a height of over 150 feet at a gradient of around 1 in 4. This incline can easily be spotted and can be walked, although gorse is trying to dissuade walkers. Nevertheless, wear strong trousers and push through; you will spot sleepers, still with their rail spikes in place. At the top would have been the winding mechanism and machinery for crushing and grading. There is also a fine view back down to Porthkerris and the former wartime Royal Navy Torpedo station.
Continue on along the coast path, where the huge (and still working) Porthoustock Quarry comes into view. This was not connected to the tramway that you are following, although it once had a short stub of its own to transfer stone to its storage hoppers for dispatch by road or ship.
However, the line we are following appears again in the surface of the path on the way to Batty’s Point, a huge concrete silo at the north side of the bay, which was used to load ships. Wagons were pushed onto the structure and emptied their stone cargo down shutes, which can still be seen. It is not possible to safely get onto this quay as the timber linkspan has long since disintegrated. However, behind Batty’s Point there are some disused buildings associated with the quarry, one of which is the former engine shed that would have housed the petrol driven 4-wheel locomotive. Behind the engine shed is another long stretch of rail, embedded in the gravel path, which was probably a headshunt for wagons. This path leads on down into Porthoustock, which features a number of interesting buildings, including a lifeboat house at the head of the beach.
This is a very pleasant route to explore, which can form a morning’s circular walk from St Keverne, served by the 36 bus from Truro and Helston. Pubs and eating places can be found in St Keverne and, at Porthallow Cove, the Five Pilchards is a particularly lively pub serving the day’s freshly caught fish.
Peter Murnaghan
Very many thanks indeed for this very carefully prepared and researched report, Peter.
Whilst the Penlee Quarry tramway on the quay at Newlyn is the furthest west railway relic in Britain, another Cornish industrial tramway can hold the title of the most southerly, if you discount the lines on the Channel Islands.
On the east coast of the Lizard peninsula, the remains of the St Keverne and Associated Quarries tramway system are surprisingly easy to discover. The geology to the north of Coverack provides gabbro rock and hard schist to make gravel for roadbuilding. Quarries along the coast between Porthallow and Porthoustock offered easy access for the dispatch of the roadstone by ship to distant markets.
The stone was first extracted on an industrial scale in the late 19th century, but it was not until 1934 that a rail system was laid to connect four separate quarries along the coast to a combined grading and stone-crushing plant and a quay for loading onto ships. The 2-foot gauge tramway is believed to have started at Porthallow, although there are no obvious signs at this point.
The line is understood to have closed as long ago as 1958, but the route between Porthkerris Cove and Porthoustock is open to all as a Permissive Path and relics of the old tramway can be seen by those who know where to look.
The line ran for over a mile and the best way to see it is to walk along the coast path from Porthallow. Leave the beach at the southern side up a steep path beyond the Five Pilchards public house. Keep to the coast and head for the Diving Centre at Porthkerris Cove. At the south end of this beach, you will find the first part of the line, a causeway with a concrete-edged sea wall, with one line of rail still in situ, together with the remains of plentiful wooden sleepers. The line passed in front of an old quarry, which was probably already disused when the track was laid. This leads up the old rope-worked Pencra Head incline, which took the trucks of stone up from sea level to a height of over 150 feet at a gradient of around 1 in 4. This incline can easily be spotted and can be walked, although gorse is trying to dissuade walkers. Nevertheless, wear strong trousers and push through; you will spot sleepers, still with their rail spikes in place. At the top would have been the winding mechanism and machinery for crushing and grading. There is also a fine view back down to Porthkerris and the former wartime Royal Navy Torpedo station.
Continue on along the coast path, where the huge (and still working) Porthoustock Quarry comes into view. This was not connected to the tramway that you are following, although it once had a short stub of its own to transfer stone to its storage hoppers for dispatch by road or ship.
However, the line we are following appears again in the surface of the path on the way to Batty’s Point, a huge concrete silo at the north side of the bay, which was used to load ships. Wagons were pushed onto the structure and emptied their stone cargo down shutes, which can still be seen. It is not possible to safely get onto this quay as the timber linkspan has long since disintegrated. However, behind Batty’s Point there are some disused buildings associated with the quarry, one of which is the former engine shed that would have housed the petrol driven 4-wheel locomotive. Behind the engine shed is another long stretch of rail, embedded in the gravel path, which was probably a headshunt for wagons. This path leads on down into Porthoustock, which features a number of interesting buildings, including a lifeboat house at the head of the beach.
This is a very pleasant route to explore, which can form a morning’s circular walk from St Keverne, served by the 36 bus from Truro and Helston. Pubs and eating places can be found in St Keverne and, at Porthallow Cove, the Five Pilchards is a particularly lively pub serving the day’s freshly caught fish.
Peter Murnaghan
Very many thanks indeed for this very carefully prepared and researched report, Peter.
For a map please click below:-
http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=15.613333333333324&lat=50.0617&lon=-5.0655&layers=171&b=1
http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=15.613333333333324&lat=50.0617&lon=-5.0655&layers=171&b=1
Portkerris Cove. Sea wall with trackbed and incline beyond. Copyright Peter Murnaghan
View down incline south of Porthkerris Cove. Copyright Peter Murnaghan
Portkerris Cove with quarry on left and the former torpedo station top right. Copyright Peter Murnaghan
Porthoustock quarry in the distance with section of rail on the left of the path. Copyright Peter Murnaghan
Surviving sections of rail in the path near Porthoustock. Copyright Peter Murnaghan
Old loading silo at Batty's Point, which was connected to the tramway in the foreground, by a trestle. Porthoustock quarry in the background was never connected. Copyright Peter Murnagan
The rather dilapidated engine shed alongside Batty's Point. Copyright Peter Murnaghan
Inside the engine shed, the 2ft gauge rails remain, set in the concrete floor. Copyright Peter Murnaghan
Beyond Batty's Point, the rails continue on the path for a short distance towards Porthoustock. Copyright Peter Murnaghan
Batty's Point loading structure from Porthoustock beach, showing the 8 shutes. Copyright Peter Murnaghan
More on Porthoustock
Dear Keith, following on from Peter Murnaghan and his excellent article on the Quarries at Porthoustock, there is a very good article on Amalgamated Roadstone, who owned the quarries on the following link http://www.irsociety.co.uk/Archives/20/ARC.htm
Which includes a photograph of an operational locomotive at this site and some interesting facts on other local quarries.
Diane and I visited Porthoustock last week and a very interesting place it is.
Best wishes Andrew (Jones)
Dear Keith, following on from Peter Murnaghan and his excellent article on the Quarries at Porthoustock, there is a very good article on Amalgamated Roadstone, who owned the quarries on the following link http://www.irsociety.co.uk/Archives/20/ARC.htm
Which includes a photograph of an operational locomotive at this site and some interesting facts on other local quarries.
Diane and I visited Porthoustock last week and a very interesting place it is.
Best wishes Andrew (Jones)
Redruth & Chacewater
Hale Mills Embankment - Redruth and Chasewater Railway. This embankment was intended to provide access to the Wheal Busy area but rails were never laid on it. Copyright Mike Roach
Rowtor Military Railway
Andrew Jones writes - Well today I have been exploring a part of Dartmoor, which has proved extremely interesting, from the railway perspective.
For a while, I have been aware of an intact military railway, near Okehampton, so with stout walking shoes, maps and of course, Google Earth, off I went, noting the weather was fine and no risk of mist!
The Row Tor military target railway, is possibly known to the members of the Cornwall Railway Society, but I couldn’t find mention of it on your wonderful website, so I have set about trying to piece a few photographs and some history, which your members could add to or verify.
Finding the railway, proved initially difficult, it is not marked on my ageing ordnance survey map ( so old in fact, that the railway was still shown as open to Halwill and Tavistock!)
Eventually after walking four miles in the wrong direction, I luckily met a dog walker, who was able to correct my terrible map reading and pointed me in the right direction.
The first clue that I was nearby, came when I stumbled over four wooden gun emplacements, but still no railway.
In the distance I noticed a long embankment and a stone mound. Now I was told by the dog walker not to pick anything up whilst on the firing range and I did note some rather military looking objects in the heather, so ignoring them I pressed on, for about half a mile. On reaching the embankment, I hit gold for there was the railway, stretching out in front of me, fully intact.
From the pictures you will see that the embankment, is in fact protecting the railway from gun fire. Their were four sets of points, the rails I judge were 2 foot or 600mm apart and laid on a mixture of metal and wooden sleepers.
The railway has a loop at each end allowing for continuous running.
A building at the west end, heavily fortified, had contained two Wickham Type R1389 Target Trolleys, powered by a twin cylinder J Arthur Prestwick aircooled engine, one of which, No 3236, from my search, had been removed for preservation on the 9th September 2010.
Recently there had been a TV item which mentioned that the other Wickman Trolley had also been removed.
I believe as recently as 2005/6 the railway had been operational, but can find little information on this, hopefully your members can fill in some gaps.
Over the coming days I will sort out some more pictures and anymore information that I can dig out.
For a while, I have been aware of an intact military railway, near Okehampton, so with stout walking shoes, maps and of course, Google Earth, off I went, noting the weather was fine and no risk of mist!
The Row Tor military target railway, is possibly known to the members of the Cornwall Railway Society, but I couldn’t find mention of it on your wonderful website, so I have set about trying to piece a few photographs and some history, which your members could add to or verify.
Finding the railway, proved initially difficult, it is not marked on my ageing ordnance survey map ( so old in fact, that the railway was still shown as open to Halwill and Tavistock!)
Eventually after walking four miles in the wrong direction, I luckily met a dog walker, who was able to correct my terrible map reading and pointed me in the right direction.
The first clue that I was nearby, came when I stumbled over four wooden gun emplacements, but still no railway.
In the distance I noticed a long embankment and a stone mound. Now I was told by the dog walker not to pick anything up whilst on the firing range and I did note some rather military looking objects in the heather, so ignoring them I pressed on, for about half a mile. On reaching the embankment, I hit gold for there was the railway, stretching out in front of me, fully intact.
From the pictures you will see that the embankment, is in fact protecting the railway from gun fire. Their were four sets of points, the rails I judge were 2 foot or 600mm apart and laid on a mixture of metal and wooden sleepers.
The railway has a loop at each end allowing for continuous running.
A building at the west end, heavily fortified, had contained two Wickham Type R1389 Target Trolleys, powered by a twin cylinder J Arthur Prestwick aircooled engine, one of which, No 3236, from my search, had been removed for preservation on the 9th September 2010.
Recently there had been a TV item which mentioned that the other Wickman Trolley had also been removed.
I believe as recently as 2005/6 the railway had been operational, but can find little information on this, hopefully your members can fill in some gaps.
Over the coming days I will sort out some more pictures and anymore information that I can dig out.
You can find it on a Google Earth at Lat 50.702201 Lon -3.992943
See also Wikipedia http hen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rowtor_Target_Railway
See also Wikipedia http hen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rowtor_Target_Railway
Rowtor 1 Target Railway Embankment protecting the long straight looking east 17th August 2017 Copyright Andrew Jones
Rowtor 2 Target Railway Engine Shed, West End of the railway 17th August 2017 Copyright Andrew Jones
Rowtor 3 Target Railway Points adjacent to the engine shed showing metal sleepers 17th August 2017 Copyright Andrew Jones
Rowtor 4 Target Railway Embankment Points to the engine shed and first loop. 17th August 2017 Copyright Andrew Jones
Torquay Tramways
This smart poster photographed by Roger Winnen on 11th December 2013 outside Torre station reminds us that once the area had an extensive 9.4 mile tramway. Laying of the tracks started outside Torre station on 23rd October 1905. Later the trams ran as far as Paignton station and served the whole of the tourist area. The original system used 'dolter studs' laid in the road surface which became live as a tram passed over them. However, as the studs did not always become dead after the tram had passed the overhead method of current collection was later used. Picture 11th December 2013. Copyright.
Tregantle Military Railway
Taken on a CRS visit to Tregantle Military Rly on 6th June 1992 at Wacker Quay 920606g Copyright Roger Winnen
Railways neither pleasure nor industrial
Sennen Cliff Railway - Private
A short 69cm = 2'3" gauge line used for the transfer of a wheelie bin from house to street level. More pictures on:-
www.swehs.co.uk/swehs-trams/xx15h.html
www.swehs.co.uk/swehs-trams/xx15h.html
The railway at Sennen - taken from the top of a double decker bus on the 17th April 2016. Copyright Roger Winnen
St Michael's Mount Underground Railway - Private
To find out what lies beyond these doors please click the link below for an excellent article and pictures by an author unknown. This picture by Roger Winnen on the 14th April 2014 Copyright
St Michaels Mount Underground Railway click this link for an excellent article and pictures. http://www.hows.org.uk/personal/rail/stm.htm
