Hayle Wharves Branch Line
The Hayle wharves branch resulted from the construction of the West Cornwall Railway's high level line through Hayle. The descent was steep and a catch point and sand drag had to be provided. It is believed that the sand drag was one of the first to be constructed.
At the foot of the gradient the railway line reached a level crossing over the A30 road immediately followed by a swing bridge across the channel leading to the Copperhouse Canal.
According to the Cornwall Railway Society the Hayle Wharf Branch “was worked by wooden train staff and descending trains as they reached the crossing, met the junction on the left side for Penpol sidings. These were a fan of three sidings serving Hayle gasworks (the site is Philps' pasty emporium today!). A horse-worked spur led along Penpol Terrace, beneath the viaduct, to the site of Harvey & Co engineers.
After passing over the level crossing and the swing bridge over Copperhouse Creek, the train passed a ground frame operating a catchpoint and a level crossing gate, protecting the wharf road and railway when the bridge was open. Ahead lay the extensive wharf sidings.”
The swing bridge is believed to have last been opened around the time of World War II its operation being quite complex. The branch closed in 1983. In recent years the course of the branch from Hayle Station has been converted into a footpath / cycle way. The dual road / rail swing bridge was also restored and conserved between 2014-15. A new road bridge has been constructed alongside to meet the needs or modern traffic.
Read MoreAt the foot of the gradient the railway line reached a level crossing over the A30 road immediately followed by a swing bridge across the channel leading to the Copperhouse Canal.
According to the Cornwall Railway Society the Hayle Wharf Branch “was worked by wooden train staff and descending trains as they reached the crossing, met the junction on the left side for Penpol sidings. These were a fan of three sidings serving Hayle gasworks (the site is Philps' pasty emporium today!). A horse-worked spur led along Penpol Terrace, beneath the viaduct, to the site of Harvey & Co engineers.
After passing over the level crossing and the swing bridge over Copperhouse Creek, the train passed a ground frame operating a catchpoint and a level crossing gate, protecting the wharf road and railway when the bridge was open. Ahead lay the extensive wharf sidings.”
The swing bridge is believed to have last been opened around the time of World War II its operation being quite complex. The branch closed in 1983. In recent years the course of the branch from Hayle Station has been converted into a footpath / cycle way. The dual road / rail swing bridge was also restored and conserved between 2014-15. A new road bridge has been constructed alongside to meet the needs or modern traffic.
