Bugle Stenalees Railway - The Goonbarrow Branch

A brief look at the Goonbarrow Branch line between Bugle and Stenalees both today and when in use. This was a short china clay branch line built by the Cornwall Minerals Railway and run by the Great Western railway for most of its life. It is possible to walk over 50% of the line. Hopefully this video will inspire you to explore the line either on foot or from the comfort of your armchair through the recommended reading!

[@berwynbabb1063]

So intrigued by this film that I contacted Mrs. Kay Bowman at The Launceston Steam Railway shop and now have my own copy of Bernard Mills book From Lostwithiel to the China Clay Rails. It has fabulous 60 year old colour photos off all the clay lines in the area, plus very substantial commentary. Well recommended.

[@PhilsTeleTime]

I second your recommendation. I didn't see it until several years after making this video.

[@selwyn62]

Thanks you for bringing back memories of my childhood..Me and my brother often walked through Stenalees tunnel in the early 70s ,looking for bats.This was part of our playground, Gunheath,Carbean.I haven't walked the entire length you showed for years.

[@chisholmeman]

I was born in the house right opposite the old water tower in Stenalees. I even had a ride once on the engine between Stenalees and Gunheath. Happy days. Thanks for the memories.

[@onchnc3546]

Very interesting. Sad we have lost so much.

[@garyphillips4785]

Enjoyed your film. The STENALEES TUNNEL contract is listed in the INDUSTRIAL RAILWAYS & LOCOMOTIVES of SOUTH WESTERN ENGLAND by ROGER HATELEY.The locomotive listed is fox walker & co JOHN OWEN. 1385 an 060 saddle tank on hire from the GWR and returned at the end of the contract in 1893. This engine was built in 1872 for the WHITLAND & CARDIGAN RAILWAY and was named after the chairman of the company.It "fell" into the hands of the GWR when they took over the line.

[@selwyn62]

happy memories of my youth in Stenner.thanx.

[@NickRatnieks]

A very impressive film. An evocation of the line. I used to bash out that Handel piece on the piano as a kid! Thank God you didn't have that Bradbury woman with you.

[@richbaldwin-lee4910]

Curious no mention of the Bugle Steam Railway (Cornish Steam Locomotive Preservation Society). Ran on Imperial, Carnsmerry and New Caudledown sidings from 1976 - 1986. Locos were Devonport Dockyard No 19 (Bagnall 2962), Port of Par 'Alfred' (Bagnall 3058) Taylor Hubbard Steam Crane, Churchward top light coach, several wagons and Bodmin and Wadebridge gangers trolley 'Camel'. Though normally a closed site, the Society did have open days. All stock, other than a couple of wagons and LMS brake van which were scrapped on site, were moved to Bodmin. John Vaughan has written a comprehensive article on the branchline.

[@richbaldwin-lee4910]

Forgot to add, there were two further steam locos, a Peckett and a Bagnall Firless dumped at the bottom of Carnsmerry siding.

[@PhilsTeleTime]

There is at 8 min 49 secs.

[@richbaldwin-lee4910]

Missed it - thanks!

[@PhilsTeleTime]

No worries. Easy done. Thanks for posting loco info.

[@sailmakers]

Great videos,thanks for sharing, Frame in Padstow.

[@PhilsTeleTime]

@chisholmeman Cool. Glad you liked it. Do you know anything about the line being used as an ammo dump for the Americans during World War Two?

[@jcollict]

@Phil in Cornwall. My granddad used to tell the tale of someone guarding the ammo trucks, at Carbean I believe. Every time he heard an aircraft engine he ran and took cover!!

[@PhilsTeleTime]

I understand from American wartime documents the US Navy used Carnmerry, Halivet, Rock and Wheal Henry dries as their ammo store during 1943-44, part of the supplies that went out through Fowey for D-Day.

[@jcollict]

From what I've been told, the ammo trucks were also kept in the siding near pegasus mill between ruddlemoor and trethowel

[@PhilsTeleTime]

Jamie Collict Very interesting. I'd like to hear more. Documents in the National Archives show the RAF requisitioned the Lansalon Dry in 1942 to use as an arms storage depot for their airfields in Cornwall but don't say whether it was actually used. Your comment seems to suggest it was.

[@jcollict]

Phil in Cornwall The siding is still there by the road, still some rolling stock at pegasus mill too I believe. As a kid in the 80's we used to ride on the Bugle steam railway. 50p a go if I remember. I believe the two scrap locos were moved to Bodmin steam railway. Has anyone got any pics of these? We used to play on them. Great fun.

[@cornishman1987]

That my dog walk I walk each day ;)