"All aboard the Pasty Special!" Did you know there used to be an electric tramway in Cornwall?

In this video, we explore the route and history of this amazing service. Opened in 1902, the tramway followed a route between West End in Redruth and Trelowarren Street in Cambrone, approximately 3.2 miles. It finally closed in 1927, after 25 years. We set out to discover if there is any evidence of the route remaining, and chart the changes since its decline.
Along the route we take a look at the mining district, which was very influential in the conception and building of the tramway. Camborne and Redruth were very wealthy towns in the 18th and 19th centuries, and evidence of that wealth can still be seen in the impressive facades of the buildings in both towns.
The tramway delivered post between the two towns but more importantly it also carried pasties. With the menfolk working in the. mines, families would bake pasties and the tram would take them to the mines where they were distributed to the miners. The tram left Redruth at 12:00 noon and was known as the "Pasty Special".
If you would like to follow this route for yourself, please join us on Patreon where we have a written set of instructions, patreon.com
The standard description bit…
We are Sarah and Andrew and we film our walks around Cornwall and publish on KZbin, usually weekly. Sometimes we stay in accommodation in Cornwall and upload our vlog. Sarah is fascinated by sea glass and likes to collect it so there may be the occasional sea glass video too. The channel is a hobby and we both have normal day jobs!
We love your comments and read all of them. We also answer as many as possible. Unfortunately, we cannot answer comments received more than a week after publication.
Frequently asked questions:
What are your dogs called?
Sorry but we do not release the names of our dogs but perhaps you could make up a name for them!
What camera do we use?
Since December 2018 we have used: Canon Powershot G7x MkII
How do I find the books you use?
Most are still in print although some we pick up in charity shops and may be available on Amazon secondhand. Please refer to the video for the book titles. Every video shows the book three times. Sorry but we can’t put a link in every description.
Best time of year to visit Cornwall?
We love May, June for flora and fauna, July and September for spectacular scenery.
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[@alanthomas8407]

thanks again for your videos, I'm living in Ireland, my family were all cornish, and all miners. my grandfather was the company secretary at pool, . we go over to Cornwall when we can, like going home. thanks once again 🙂

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Very cool! I think a little bit of Cornwall stays with you (Probably the sand in your shoes!) Sarah :)

[@bernicebest]

Somewhere in the recesses of my mind I recall the story of the ‘Pasty Special’ I must be much older than I thought! ‘Redruth’ is a beautiful town with stunning architecture The School being a great example! the tragic story of the poor man being knocked down by a tram doesn’t bare thinking about! Interesting theory about the stop signs in ‘Pool’ I really look forward to your traveling adventures Sarah & Andrew they are always Interesting and informative, your research is second to none, and above all you are both so cheerful, you put me in a good mood for the rest of the day, and your little brown travelling companion 🐾 is a bonus! 👍🥀🤗

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

What a lovely comment! Thank you for your appreciation, we always try to make the very best video we can! Sarah :)

[@beverleyletchford8316]

that was so interesting as my Grandfather was a tin miner.....not sure which one...but he was born in Illogan in 1883/4 and when he married he lived in Camborne.

[@esthermorrissey1454]

What an interesting History Lesson on an area I thought that I knew well, so enjoyable and a real eye opener to times gone bye. My Grandad worked at East Pool Mine and Crofty, it was the main source of income for many men &, a very dangerous occupation. You have documented this so very well and made it very interesting with you brilliant editing. Well done to the pair of you.

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Cheers! Sarah :)

[@adrianbew9641]

When I was 18 I worked at south crofty and Robinson's shaft was our main riding point, the dry, the blacksmith shops and stores were all in close proximity as was the mine office and wages offices and assay offices much of which is unrecognisable today.

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Nearly all gone! We spoke to one of the guides in East Pool Mine and he mentioned the dry! Sarah :)

[@nickdent2512]

Fabulous video - and I had no idea both towns were joined by electric Trams at the turn of the previous century. Amazing presentation and production, thank you.

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Thank you! Sarah :)

[@marieryan2541]

Hi Sarah and Andrew. I really enjoyed your walk today learning even more about the mining history of Cornwall. So we interesting and fascinating. Thank you for showing us the old photos and comparing them to today's of how places look now alot of history would be lost if it wasn't for the photographs. Also thank you for taking us round some of the visitors centers.

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Glad you enjoyed it, and we love looking at the old photographs too! Sarah :)

[@kevinknuckey7289]

I live and farm in Redruth all life brilliant history lesson 👌Andew you are very smart filming over two days 2 pasty’s 😂👍👍

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Any excuse to have a pasty! Actually do you need an excuse?!? Sarah :)

[@jamesburt6520]

Another excellent video, really enjoyed the history about the trams and the mines. Thank you both once more. Take care.

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

You're welcome! Sarah :)

[@lindacourtemanche5550]

Very interesting walk. I love learning about Cornwall history and of course, pasties. These old pictures are amazing .

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Glad you like them! Sarah :)

[@suerowlands1457]

A brilliant idea. I really enjoyed seeing Redruth, Poole and Camborne. I used to stay with my godmother for holidays in Camborne until 50 years ago, so it was really interesting to see, especially the matching to the old photos, although the old photos were a bit before my time!

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

The old photos were great! A real joy to compare now and then! Sarah :)

[@barrieking5939]

Can I just add that back in the late 70s and Early 80s, when I worked for National Coal Board medical services, we used to visit South Crofty and other tin mines, as well as English China Clay works to x-ray the workers for chest x-rays. This was done every four years in between visiting coal mines. Regards..

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Oh, how interesting! thanks for sharing! Sarah :)

[@kernowboy137]

I met a very elderly gentlemen from Redruth - as am I - in Australia in 1979. He regaled me with memories of the tram and Redruth during his childhood a much different place from what it is now.

[@kernowboy137]

I noticed that Keast’s corner shop in Pool is still boarded up and derelict often went in there for goodies during my childhood.

[@SpanishEclectic]

I love coming along on your adventures! This one was so interesting. It seems Cornwall hit the jackpot with useful minerals. One of my favorite things is when you compare old photos with present day views along your walks. San Diego had an "electric railway" trolley between downtown and the newly developed "uptown", starting in the late 1800s. Trolley 'barns' were built at the Uptown terminus (now a park). Next to this was Mission Cliff Gardens, and in 1904 an ostrich farm relocated nearby. The birds were raised to provide feathers for the hats of Edwardian ladies. Decorative pillars of large cobble rocks, with sections of wall between and some very thick redwood gates still mark the entrance & exit to the garden area, now filled with post-WWII houses. It's so fun to imagine what the world looked like back then. Cheers! :)

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

I often wonder what it would be like to go back for a day! Sarah :)

[@blitzpfalz9973]

Your videos are great I like it when you tell stories from the past. You can see that not everything was done wrong in the past and today you would be happy to still have the tram. It's the same with us in Germany. Best regards, Gunter

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Agreed - a tram would be a much better alternative to all of the polluting traffic! Sarah :)

[@whealagar]

Very interesting. The EPAL chimney is within touching of our house. Pity there were no references to Holmans and their input in the area.

[@allanfettah4686]

Another interesting and entertaining video. Can't wait for the next one. With the cost of fuel, it must be expensive to keep providing such great videos now. Really appreciate them.

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

It is! Thanks, Sarah :)

[@carolinetaylor9518]

Really enjoyed this one,so much information that you've researched. You must have fun deciding where to film next & getting the historical details together. Nice touch with all the old books & postcards that you match up with present day scenes. As you might remember I've said my grandparents came from Newlyn & when I was doing research on my family tree my great grandmother seems to have been married before to a miner who died at 27. He was there on the marriage cert & later that year( a few months later) there was a death certificate for him 😢such was the danger of working in mines. Looking forward to your next film 🎥 they must take so long to edit.

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Lots of time and effort certainly go into these videos! So sad about your grandmother's first husband, Sarah :)

[@Hedgehogsinthemist123]

Used to work at a mining company at Brea in the 80s. Happy days. Know the area well but it's all different and so terribly busy now. Not so familiar with the mining history, so thanks for that.

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Yes, very busy! Traffic everywhere! Sarah :)

[@johntrafford6731]

This is such a brilliant channel. Thanks.

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Our pleasure! Sarah :)

[@Erika-Uwe]

Another brilliant video ,full of interesting history , i love the old pictures and books what a treasure. Enjoyed watching it.😍

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Thank you! Sarah :)

[@bobspeller2225]

Very interesting video, great to see the old photos and what left today. Thanks Bob

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

You're welcome! Sarah :)

[@judybee]

Great history lesson. It's so interesting comparing the here and now with the past. I've done that in the past round here when I researched my family history and found lots of old pictures in the library to compare with today's modern settings. Makes you feel quite nostalgic knowing that you are walking in the footsteps of your great great grandfathers and mothers! Some remnants of the past still survive thankfully alongside the riverside here and in the town. Found that one of my relatives was the local Mayor back in the late 1700's! Love how you mix it up with each video. Some with stunning scenery and others with the local history. Hope your new pup doing OK! x J x

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

It is a very interesting pastime! We love looking at the old photos! Mayor indeed!! Sarah :)

[@colinbaker3415]

Another fascinating video again, and for me in particular as I have traced a branch of my family to Illogan (c 17th/18th century). Can't say if they were miners of not. You didn't fool me by filming over two days, I know British weather is changeable, but I don't think it's so changeable as it is in this video!!!

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Ahhh! Yes! The video took way longer to film than we expected! Sarah :)

[@kathybutler881]

Hi really enjoyed seeing my home town, Camborne, featured in your film. Always lots of history, which you make very interesting . So glad you referred to Paddy Bradley's book, he was a lovely man & so knowledgeable of Redruth history . Looking forward to the next one

[@lynnewilson269]

I loved everything about your walking tour. thank you.

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

You are so welcome! Sarah :)

[@brianspicer8829]

A very powerful entertaining and informative video guys, so much amazing history there and sadly most of it gone. Your research uncovers many fascinating books about Cornwall which you then input many interesting aspects in to your videos. The pasty looked good too Andrew, superb as always guys a huge credit to you we so enjoy them each weekend .,,,,,,,,Brian&Jane

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Thank you for your lovely comment! Sarah :)

[@elizebethjames]

Awesome channel, so relaxing and inspiring and motivating all at once! Love it! I feel like I’ve been on the walks with you - have to keep reminding myself to actually do the walk! 😂 x

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Awesome! Thank you! Sarah :)

[@juliejackson6638]

Love this video, so much interesting information!

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Glad you enjoyed it! Sarah :)

[@TravellingTorunn]

Very interesting video with such a lot if details. Thank you for letting us inside of the Cornish history 🥰 Torunn.

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

You're welcome!! Sarah :)

[@joyhursey1480]

How interesting, I didn’t realise they had trams in Cornwall.I had a aunt that lived in Islington London and can vaguely remember seeing them as a young child when visiting her. Keep up your good work .

[@alantippett7602]

Very well done, I enjoyed watching very much. I knew about the trams and can remember my uncle talking about them. Have you considered doing some films about Holmans and Richard Trevithick? I see someone else in the comments has mentioned Holmans. Most of my family worked for them and they employed thousands of people in Camborne alone.

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Thank you! Members of our families, and family friends had connections to Holmans and we have considered a video but there are a number of challenges with making such a very niche video, firstly audience! And we concluded we are not the right people to make it! Perhaps the Cornwall Channel would be better placed to take on such a project, especially as they have funding, unlike us! Sarah :)

[@busterguff1068]

Wonderful video; thank you. I drive buses, and there are rails around Par.

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Ohhh! How interesting! For china clay industry, no doubt!?! Sarah :)

[@petec7343]

must go there one day - i was born in redruth

[@neiltomkins4713]

Great video and so interesting. Pity McDonalds has replaced those lovely old buildings although I suspect they have been gone well before McDonalds moved there. Hmmm. May pop in for a mayo chicken !

[@tonyking7741]

No they were part of sweb before McDonald's was there

[@Tuffydipstick]

My daughter lives in Pool. I know the area quite well. I never knew about the mine near Morrisons car park. Thanks for showing the video.

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

No problem 👍 Sarah :)

[@R-K61]

Brilliant.x

[@georgerobartes2008]

Going up Camborne Hill , coming down . Going up Camborne Hill coming down.... although a bit saucy , believed to be linked with the tramway allowing the intermingling of opposite sexes from Redruth and Camborne , preserving energy for more important things by riding the tram . History Camborne School of Mining now a university I believe . Redruth Brewery believed to be the first steam brewed brewery ? The wealthy Agar family of mine owners married into the Robartes family ( Earl of Radnor of Penny Cum Quick fame ) of mine owners to become the Agar-Robartes family whose land eventually extended up into Dorsetshire .

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Thank you for all of your wonderful comments, a fount of knowledge - you should have your own channel! Sarah :)

[@suerobertson5132]

Loved it , well done oxoxoxoxoxo😍

[@GilliBryan]

How interesting!

[@conradkelsey5925]

A great video as always Sarah and Andrew. Being in South Africa it is still interesting learning about your local history. Keep it up.

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Thank you! We try to keep it interesting! Sarah :)

[@pauld5337]

Eat Pasty At Lunch 🥟🥟🥟🥟 Great channel.

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Very good!! Sarah :)

[@rebeccam4431]

Enjoyed the video, but wanted to hear more about the pasties! Was it a good one? It would be fun to do a pasty sampling video :-) We lived in Mylor Bridge & worked at millers in Falmouth and redruth - loved a good pasty from WC Rowe on my lunch break!

[@kernow..exp.]

Yes I know a lot of history about this area being a redruth boy and when you walked past you walked past my house and I seen you

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Cool! Sarah :)

[@thecornishtemple]

Honours

[@stewartlockhart6444]

Wouldn't it be nice to have trams instead of all the cars!

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Yes!! So much quieter, less polluting and quaint to boot! Sarah :)

[@dottydot8058]

wheres the pastie

[@fatbelly27]

That chapel is pronounced sen-ten-ri locally

[@CornishWalkingTrails]

Oh, you are so wrong about us being ‘not local’!

[@weirdplanet1082]

@5:52 My old school! (1979-83)