Pentewan Railway
| Pentewan Railway | |
|---|---|
| Locale | United Kingdom |
| Dates of operation | 1829–1919 |
| Successor | abandoned |
| Track gauge | 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) |
| Previous gauge | 4 ft 6 in (1,372 mm) |
| Length | 4 miles |
| Headquarters | Pentewan |
The Pentewan Railway was a British narrow gauge railway in Cornwall. It was built as a horse-drawn tramway carrying china clay from St Austell to the harbour at Pentewan. In 1874 the line was rebuilt by engineer John Barraclough Fell and converted to locomotive working, at which time the gauge was changed from 4 ft 6 in (1,372 mm) to 2 ft 6 in (762 mm). The line ran from a clay store in St Austell town, and followed the course of the St Austell River. It serviced a number of small Mica works and other industries along the line, including the St Austell gas works, for which it provided coal. Coal was also taken to the mica kilns, as well as to the end of the line in St Austell, and an unloading point near London Apprentice for transport to the nearby Polgooth tin mines. Baltic timber was also taken from Pentewan to St Austell for making barrels. Although the line never officially operated a passenger service, it once took a sunday school group and brass band to Pentewan. The line's only coach was reserved for its owners, the Hawkins family. There are also second-hand accounts of men who "hitched a ride" by sitting on the loaded wagons.
For the duration of its existence as a locomotive worked line, there was only one driver and fireman, a father and son team. The fireman, J. H. Drew, together with his father, wrote a detailed account of life working on the Pentewan railway. The writings were edited by Dr Michael Lewis, and published by Twelveheads Press in 1986 as a book entitled "Rail & Sail to Pentewan".
Contents |
[edit] Locomotives
| Name | Builder | Type | Works Number | Built | Withdrawn | Scrapped | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pentewan | Manning Wardle | 0-6-0 T | 461 | 1873 | 1886 | 1896 | |
| Trewithan | Manning Wardle | 0-6-0 T | 994 | 1886 | 1901 | ||
| Canopus | Manning Wardle | 0-6-2 ST | 1547 | 1901 | Later worked at WD West Drayton | ||
| Pioneer | Yorkshire Engine Company | 2-6-2 T | 757 | 1903 | Built for the Chattenden and Upnor Railway, purchased 1913 Had odd front buffers |
[edit] Remains
There are few remains of the old railway system.
A set of complete points are still in situ outside an old engine shed. An unusual weigh bridge is also still in existence although being grown over.
There is now a cycle/footpath which follow the route of the railway
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Kidner, R.W. (1938). Mineral Railways. The Oakwood Press.
- Lewis, M.J.T. (1981). The Pentewan Railway. Twelveheads Press.
- http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=203436361982690910378.0004a5e6af6ecb7f2865d
