Hayle Branch

[Masbroughlad]

Can anyone tell me anything about the Hayle branch in Cornwall? Route, trains, services etc. I just remember going over a level crossing somewhere away from the mainline when holidaying as a 70s child

Info and pics would be great!

 

[Llanigraham]

That the one that went off at the station then down an incline towards the old wharfs across the main road and a swing bridge?
Route is certainly shown on my 1970's 1" OS map.
The swing bridge is still standing and has rails on it, and I seem to remember there were still some rails in the wharfs.
There is an info board at the bottom of the incline, where the sand drag was.
You can walk a good length along the old Pool that is full of poisonous mud, past various info boards and old buildings.
Check the Middleton Book for the area, as I expect that has plans and photos.
Loads were probably china clay and coal for the old Power Station inwards.

(Daughter lived in Hayle last year!
There is a member on here who lives in Lelant, he may know more)

 

[KA4C]

Try this
http://www.hayletowncouncil.net/documents/RailwayBookCompletewithMaps-ready.pdf

 

[Llanigraham]

Try this
http://www.hayletowncouncil.net/documents/RailwayBookCompletewithMaps-ready.pdf

I wish I had known about that booklet last year!

 

[richw]

That the one that went off at the station then down an incline towards the old wharfs across the main road and a swing bridge?
Route is certainly shown on my 1970's 1" OS map.
The swing bridge is still standing and has rails on it, and I seem to remember there were still some rails in the wharfs.
There is an info board at the bottom of the incline, where the sand drag was.
You can walk a good length along the old Pool that is full of poisonous mud, past various info boards and old buildings.
Check the Middleton Book for the area, as I expect that has plans and photos.
Loads were probably china clay and coal for the old Power Station inwards.

(Daughter lived in Hayle last year!
There is a member on here who lives in Lelant, he may know more)

I lived in Angarrack until very recently. I haven't been down for a while but I believe they were removing the old bridge and constructing a stronger bridge for heavier vehicles.

this is the bridge

The line then went up the path to the side of the silver car here

I have traced the route of the old line in red on the attachment

 

[Llanigraham]

When we were down last year they were certainly building a new bridge, but I thought it was seaward of the old bridge.
Your map plot looks about right and seems to agree with the book linked above. I'm at work but will see if I can find my map when I'm home and scan it.
You could try looking at the "OldMaps" website as that often has several old OS prints to view.

 

[83G/84D]

Take a look at the Cornwall Railway Society website for some rare photographs on this branch.

 

[richw]

I've some pictures, however I am unsure whether they can be put on public forum due to the copyright of the producer.

 

[Llanigraham]

You could try looking at the "OldMaps" website as that often has several old OS prints to view.

Link for you:
http://www.oldmapsonline.org/#bbox=...382442,50.211669&q=&datefrom=1000&dateto=2010
Top of the column on the right is the 1938 OS map.

And from another posting above:
http://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/st-ives--hayle-branches.html

 

[Masbroughlad]

These are all really interesting. Thank you.

 

[83G/84D]

Not sure if it is being removed altogether but there has been a lot of work going on at the old swing bridge near where the branch crossed the main road through the town by a level crossing.

A couple of weeks ago the decking of said swing bridge was being removed and there was still signs of work going on at the weekend although I didn't have time to stop very long.

 

[Winterbournecm]

Hello there
I grew up in Hayle from 1969 to 1992 and lived in Hayle Terrace - just along from the crossing over the A30. I took pictures and spent time with the staff operating the barriers, and in Hayle signalbox when I could blag my way in. It set the scene for my railway career really. I have photos on the Cornwall Railway Society, and would be happy to correspond about the branch - or on here.

Just as a taster, the train movements during the 1970s/ early 80s were as follows:
Hayle box was openly opened to accommodate the branch train which ran at lunchtimes during the week. The train would propel from St Erth, and was normally formed brake van, 2 x banana vans and then the oil / chemical tanks. This was due to there being no run round facilities down on the quay.

Warships worked the services until their demise in the early 70s when class 25s took over. During the latter period of the branch 1980/81 class 37s and class 08s were also used. The last trips were class 08s.

I hope that helps

Kind regards