Newham Branch Line Pt 1

The Newham Branch Line in Truro, Cornwall, started life as the main line of the West Cornwall Railway between Penzance and Truro in 1855. Once the Cornwall Railway joined it, it became a branch which specialised for most of its life on goods traffic until finally lifted in 1972. This video-book presentation looks at the history of the line & examines what remains of it in a track-bed walk. It uses old maps, photographs & historical accounts to bring the story to life.
Part 1 examines how the line came about, looks at the terminus in Truro and begins the walk along the route as far as Calenick.
Part 2 continues the walk over Tolgarrick Bridge and to Penwithers Junction before returning to examine the Gas Works siding and the demise of the line in the 1970s.
An extensive list of historical sources and music credits is given at the end of Part 2.
If you have photographs, film footage (any format) or memories of the line while it was in use that you are willing to share, please leave a comment.
Thanks for watching & for reading.
For more on Cornwall's Railways during World War Two check out my short eBook:
www.philhadleypublications.com/

[@terenceburchett6122]

What a pleasure to read an accurate Cornish rail history. The best seen yet, so many are bodged efforts by the clueless. Thank you.

[@PhilsTeleTime]

Thank you for your kind words. As an historian I do try and do my research!

[@paularowe7651]

God, looking at this brings back some memories! I was brought up in Truro on the 1950s and lived on Malpas road. Coming home from primary school in Truro I would waych the old GWR tank engines shunting up and down Newham and was fascinated. I also remember cycling from Truro bus stn down the cobbles towards the gas works, then up gas hill to Fairmantle st. (where I attended primary school), then took a left down to Newham, past the old thatched cottage and to the old station. This was ten years before Morlaix Ave. was constructed. I also, in the early 1970s worked at Harveys timber yard (now Tescos). Truro has certainly changed!.

[@alastairgray5648]

That was really cool. Thanks

[@anthonycarter2426]

In the late 1940s and early 50s I ran this track quite often to Penweathers Lane. It was difficult to walk slowly as my legs wouldn’t span the gap between sleepers. Playing on the rubbish tip was usual. We never got ill. Often I was after pram wheels to make a go cart. Tony Carter

[@PhilsTeleTime]

Thanks for sharing the memories. Go karts from pram wheels - I remember the one my brother built. We thought it was posh cos he included a piece of wood levered to rub against a wheel to act as a brake!

[@anthonycarter2426]

Phil in Cornwall I never got as far as a brake. That was posh! When I came down Newquay road at Tregurra I couldn’t turn and ended up covered in gravel rash. All part of the fun 🤪

[@PhilsTeleTime]

I can also remember having to "run" along the sleepers on the lines around Bodmin to Wadebridge & Wenfordbridge because they were too far apart for a normal walking stride. If a train came you stood off to one side and got a wave from the driver. These days it's a £1000 fine and all services on that line are halted while the "trespassers" are cleared from the track. Funny old world we live in!

[@davidpollard1539]

Congratulations on this fantastic effort ... it must have taken a considerable time!!! You may have heard of the Truro Loops project, which within an overall mission to improve pedestrian/cycle access around 'greater Truro', there is a plan to upgrade the 'Newham Branch' Pedestrian cycle way!! David Pollard

[@PhilsTeleTime]

Thanks for the feedback, David. No I haven't heard of the Loops project - I don't live in Truro. I just visit the capital from time to time! I just hope in the improvements to the Newham Branch section they preserve the little that's left & acknowledge its past as a railway.

[@SFgaming007]

Fantastic video, I've walked what's left a couple of times. I never realised it closed in the early 70s, I'd mistakenly always thought it closed in the 30s for some reason. It's a shame theres not many photos of it in action left

[@PhilsTeleTime]

There are more photos of the line in Part 2 so make sure you watch that as well.

[@SFgaming007]

Phil in Cornwall yes I watched that 2, both great. I think I might make a nice narrow gauge line now