The Roskear Branch
Credits, Many thanks to all contributors - please see a list on the home page.
The Roskear branch, part of the Hayle Railway opened 23 Dec 1837. The line closed beyond the A30 crossing in 1963 and was lifted in that year. On Saturday 14 April 1963 Mr. Cyril Hitchens was on duty in Roskear Junction signal box on the occasion of the first and last passenger train to traverse the line. Cyril contacted his son Mike who cycled to the A30 crossing to witness the event. Unfortunately Mike didn't have a camera in those days. Please if you know of any photos of this historic event when the train visited several rare branches please let us have them. Many thanks. See front of this section for details of the route covered by this special.
Of the remainder of the branch Holmans purchased the section between MP's 313.34 and 313.44. A new road/rail transfer depot was created in the 70's (See picture 9 in the set of smaller pictures below). This remaining stub of the branch was closed on 6 Sept 1987.
Of the remainder of the branch Holmans purchased the section between MP's 313.34 and 313.44. A new road/rail transfer depot was created in the 70's (See picture 9 in the set of smaller pictures below). This remaining stub of the branch was closed on 6 Sept 1987.
47 209 on Roskear branch - propelling a train from from Holmans in 1976 Copyright Stephen (Steve) Burdett
47 209 at Roskear Junction, the signal box roof in the right foreground. Note the branch starter signal is off so presumably the locomotive is waiting for the signal to be returned to on and the points to be restored to normal, 1976 . Copyright Stephen (Steve) Burdett
1071 Western Renown propels its very short train over the crossover from the down main to the up main and thence onto the Roskear branch. 1976 Copyright Stephen (Steve) Burdett. Camborne station is just beyond the level crossing.
D 1071 Western Renown D1071 crosses Foundry Road level crossing watched by our photographer and one other individual waiting by the gate. Western Renown was built by BR BR Crewe 7th November 1963 and scrapped, in November 1978 at BREL Swindon. Copyright Steve Burdett
On 14/09/2014 18:36, Craig Munday wrote:
Hi Keith Nathan has come up trumps on Flicker! He referred me to a wonderful collection by a gentleman called Stephen (Steve) Burdett. He has many fabulous 70s Cornish images, including Westerns and some rare branches. His Holmans pictures are truly superb, and he has kindly agreed for us to show them on the CRS site!
Here are three pictures taken in 1976, 2 days apart!
47209 appeared on 27/9/1976 and I had not seen a working there in 6 years of visiting sister in Cornwall. Then 2 days later 1071 put in appearance. Definitely the icing on the cake!!
Note from Craig: The 47209 shot has me confused as I understood that moves to / from Holmans were signalled in from the Ground Signal (number 16) on the crossover, there was no signalled route in from R4 at the station. Likewise, the short signal at the exit only read towards the Down Main, so I guess the loco heading Eastward from the point it is at would have been an "unsignalled" move towards Dolcoath crossing. The train is also beyond the treadles for Dolcoath crossing, so goodness how the crossing sequence was commenced, perhaps I'm asking some "awkward" operating questions....
Despite these teaser questions, they are a fantastic find, and Steve has offered us more pictures for the website.
Kind regards Craig. Many thanks to Craig, Nathan and not forgetting of course Stephen (Steve) Burdett.
Hi Keith Nathan has come up trumps on Flicker! He referred me to a wonderful collection by a gentleman called Stephen (Steve) Burdett. He has many fabulous 70s Cornish images, including Westerns and some rare branches. His Holmans pictures are truly superb, and he has kindly agreed for us to show them on the CRS site!
Here are three pictures taken in 1976, 2 days apart!
47209 appeared on 27/9/1976 and I had not seen a working there in 6 years of visiting sister in Cornwall. Then 2 days later 1071 put in appearance. Definitely the icing on the cake!!
Note from Craig: The 47209 shot has me confused as I understood that moves to / from Holmans were signalled in from the Ground Signal (number 16) on the crossover, there was no signalled route in from R4 at the station. Likewise, the short signal at the exit only read towards the Down Main, so I guess the loco heading Eastward from the point it is at would have been an "unsignalled" move towards Dolcoath crossing. The train is also beyond the treadles for Dolcoath crossing, so goodness how the crossing sequence was commenced, perhaps I'm asking some "awkward" operating questions....
Despite these teaser questions, they are a fantastic find, and Steve has offered us more pictures for the website.
Kind regards Craig. Many thanks to Craig, Nathan and not forgetting of course Stephen (Steve) Burdett.
Roskear branch - Foundry Road Crossing. The date is April 16 1974.
Copyright Andy KIrkham
A 1958 view of the Roskear branch in its entirety, the 77 chains from Roskear Junction to the head shunt serving the kick back at Holmans Boiler works. In addition to the branch itself Mike draws our attention to the array of prefabs at the bottom right hand side. The bridge over the main line at this point still has rails of an old mineral tramway beneath its tarmac - these become visible when the surface is worn. Picture from the late Cyril Hitchens Collection Copyright. From Mike Hitchens MBE
A post 1996 view of the Holmans complex taken from the north west. In the foreground lies Treowarren Street, The course of the truncated branch from the Dolcoath road junction is evident, the line having been removed in 1963. The terminus at this time was the centre of the picture. Seen just to the left of Foundry Road level crossing are a number of Lowfit wagons on which completed Holmans compressors have been loaded ready for dispatch. From the collection of the late Cyril Hitchens submitted by Mike Hitchens. Copyright
Looking from the south east. The very large Holmans complex. This area has now largely been taken over by Tescos beyond the branch and new housing in the foreground. Just beyond the level crossing at the top left of the picture lies Roskear Junction Signalbox. It was from this box that Cyril Hitchens signalled the only ever passenger train on the branch on the 14th April 1963. Visible in this picture is the Holmans shop window which overlooked the pair of level crossings at the Wesley St and Dolcoath Road Junction. Virtually the only non-residential building left in this picture is in the foreground - the office block built in about 1966 and latterly used by Kerrier District Council and now by Cornwall Council. Picture from the late Cyril Hitchens collection, from Mike Hitchens MBE. Copyright.
Members and general visitors to the CRS site will be interested in visiting http://www.railmaponline.com From the opening page a full map of the UK can be accessed which can then be enlarged to show every railway line in the UK. Not just today's network but lines from the past have been overlaid. As you zoom in sidings and even tramways become visible.
A valuable tip from Guy Vincent.
A valuable tip from Guy Vincent.
For more pictures of the Roskear branch and many other locations in Cornwall please click below to see a wonderful selection of Cornish railway pictures which have been made available to us. All his pictures are, of course Copyright.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/52554553@N06/albums/72157636828119615/with/10419848883/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/52554553@N06/albums/72157636828119615/with/10419848883/
Exploring the Roskear branch in February 2023
Roger Winnen
Roger Winnen
230208c The Branch to Holmans Boiler Works crossed Rosker Road ar this point. Copyright Roger Winnen
230208g Walking the Branch to Holman Boiler Works. Copyright Roger Winnen
230208h WAlking the Branch to Holman Boiler Works. Copyright Roger Winnen
230208f Tuckingmill Cricket Field from the Branchline alignment. Copyright Roger Winnen
230208i WAlking the Branch to Holman Boiler Works. Copyright Roger Winnen
230208j Boiler Works Road. Copyright Roger Winnen
230208l Rails in situ leading to the Boiler Works. Copyright Roger Winnen
230208n Inside the former Holmans Boiler Works by kind permission. Copyright Roger Winnen
230802o Inside the former Holmans Boiler Works by kind permission. Copyright Roger Winnen
230208q A short length of track.still visible of the branch. Copyright Roger Winnen
230208r Was there a narrow gauge line also at the boiler works, one wonders. Copyright Roger Winnen