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The East Cornwall Mineral Railway

Discussion in 'Historic & Abandoned Railways' started by Roger Farnworth, Mar 26, 2019.

  1. Mar 26, 2019 #1
    Roger Farnworth

    Roger Farnworth Full Member

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    I have just enjoyed reading the first article in the May 1951 edition of The Railway Magazine. That article covered the East Cornwall Mineral Railway which started life as 3ft 6in narrow gauge line.

    As a result I have spent a little time researching the line. This is the first of two planned posts about the line

    http://rogerfarnworth.com/2019/03/26/the-east-cornwall-mineral-railway-part-1/
     
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  2. Mar 27, 2019 #2
    Gloria Aldridge

    Gloria Aldridge Full Member

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    Hi Roger,
    Have had look at the link you posted, I must say it is very interesting, we a have a book on Penlee Quarry where stone was taken by narrow gauge to the quay at Newlyn to load ships that came into the harbour to collect the stone. There was also a tin mine railway that ran from Camborne to Portreath and back.
    Regards,
    Gloria.
     
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  3. Mar 27, 2019 #3
    mydadstoys

    mydadstoys Full Member

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    Roger an interesting and delightful read. It’s always nice to be able to look back at how railways such as this one once were. Thanks for sharing.:thumbs:
     
  4. Mar 31, 2019 #4
    Roger Farnworth

    Roger Farnworth Full Member

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    Hi Gloria,

    It is amazing how many light railways, tramways and inclines there were in Cornwall.

    Best wishes

    Roger
     
  5. Mar 31, 2019 #5
    Roger Farnworth

    Roger Farnworth Full Member

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    This is the second of two posts about the East Cornwall Mineral Railway, a 3ft 6in narrow gauge railway.

    http://rogerfarnworth.com/2019/03/28/the-east-cornwall-mineral-railway-part-2

    In 1908, the line was superseded by a standard gauge line which ran from Bere Alston to Callington via Calstock and included a significant viaduct over the River Tamar at Calstock. The standard gauge branch line is still in use today in a truncated form.
    This line will be the subject of a future post.
     
  6. Mar 31, 2019 #6
    Gloria Aldridge

    Gloria Aldridge Full Member

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    Hi Roger,
    Yes I quite agree with you. I can remember the Penlee Quarry Line which was very busy at one time before it closed.We have a book on it and one of the Steamers is at Leighton Buzzard Light Railway being refurbished.
    Regards,
    Gloria.
     
  7. Mar 31, 2019 #7
    Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

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    The interesting thing about the viaduct over the River Tamar at Calstock was it once had a wagon hoist to lower the wagons to the river port below. I researched the line before I started building Callington in OO scale, which the layout is is now gone. Col. Stevens built some beautiful railways.

    Oh, if anyone has watched the tv series 'Delicious', you would may have recognised the Calstock viaduct... ;)

    Cheers, Gary.
     
  8. Apr 3, 2019 #8
    Roger Farnworth

    Roger Farnworth Full Member

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    Thanks Gary

    To complete this short series of posts, I have produced a survey of the standard gauge branch that replaced the ECMR. Its one and only major structure is the Calstock Viaduct which remains in use in 2019 to carry the truncated branch-line to Gunnislake. I hope you enjoy the journey as well as the pictures.

    http://rogerfarnworth.com/2019/04/02/the-bere-alston-to-callington-branch

    This post also provides a little information about a possible reinstatement of the old line between Bere Alston and Tavistock.
     

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