The Wenford Bridge Branch
A branch of the Bodmin and Wadebridge Railway and opened in 1834 at the same time as the 'main line'. The railway was constructed with stone sleeper blocks. Though it was the first steam railway in the South West, initially they only had one locomotive - so I guess the branch was laid with horse haulage in mind. The line remained isolated for very many years. This branch was built solely for mineral traffic and never had a passenger service.
The tight curves caused operational problems. Until 1962 it was worked by Class 0298 2-4-0T Beattie Well Tanks as these were the only suitable locos the Southern Railway/Region had. Built around 1870 they were obsolete on the rest of the network by 1900! These were replaced by ex-GWR dock shunters and then by class 08 diesels. Remarkably the line survived until 1983 as it gave access to a clay drying plant. I walked the branch in November 1983, shortly after closure and whilst the track was still down.
Remarkably the mileposts were the original granite ones. I'm unclear about where this is 7 3/4 miles from, as the branch wasn't that long.
The Wenford Bridge Branch
A branch of the Bodmin and Wadebridge Railway and opened in 1834 at the same time as the 'main line'. The railway was constructed with stone sleeper blocks. Though it was the first steam railway in the South West, initially they only had one locomotive - so I guess the branch was laid with horse haulage in mind. The line remained isolated for very many years. This branch was built solely for mineral traffic and never had a passenger service.
The tight curves caused operational problems. Until 1962 it was worked by Class 0298 2-4-0T Beattie Well Tanks as these were the only suitable locos the Southern Railway/Region had. Built around 1870 they were obsolete on the rest of the network by 1900! These were replaced by ex-GWR dock shunters and then by class 08 diesels. Remarkably the line survived until 1983 as it gave access to a clay drying plant. I walked the branch in November 1983, shortly after closure and whilst the track was still down.
Remarkably the mileposts were the original granite ones. I'm unclear about where this is 7 3/4 miles from, as the branch wasn't that long.