Chacewater - Newquay
15th December 2006

Closure: 4th February 1963 (all traffic)

This idiosyncratic GWR line, full of tortuous curves and lonely halts (some seven of the ten intermediate calling points) was a late tactical bid to head off LSWR designs on Truro, their forces amassed by now in the county town of Bodmin. Over eighteen miles long, this line has probably suffered more erosion than any other in the county, with long, narrow cuttings being filled in and the demand for building plots on the holiday coast the line usually never quite reaches. There is at least one fantastic survivor however...

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Intact and remodelled into offices and living space, the station building at St. Agnes. Looking north from the approximate site of the island platform dating from the 1937 remodelling.
Intact and remodelled into offices and living space, the station building at St. Agnes. Looking north from the approximate site of the island platform dating from the 1937 remodelling.
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2007-02-26 12:16:36
A surviving lamp standard on the approaches to St. Agnes station.
A surviving lamp standard on the approaches to St. Agnes station.
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2007-02-26 12:14:19
Looking towards St.Agnes station from the top of bridge 11. Site of many a classic shot in operational days, the scene is now pastoral, even domestic, with the trackbed filled in.
Looking towards St.Agnes station from the top of bridge 11. Site of many a classic shot in operational days, the scene is now pastoral, even domestic, with the trackbed filled in.
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2007-02-26 12:12:58
Looking east towards Goonbell from the other side of the bridge. The line is undetectable but proceeded through the gateway centre distance to emerge onto a short embankment.
Looking east towards Goonbell from the other side of the bridge. The line is undetectable but proceeded through the gateway centre distance to emerge onto a short embankment.
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2007-02-26 12:13:15
An oblique shot of the parapet of bridge 11, filled in to arch height.
An oblique shot of the parapet of bridge 11, filled in to arch height.
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2007-02-26 12:12:29
Although most of the short section between St. Agnes & Goonbell Halt ran through a narrow and now infilled cutting, for a short distance it emerges onto a low embankment. Looking west towards bridge 11 and St. Agnes station, 26th February 2007.
Although most of the short section between St. Agnes & Goonbell Halt ran through a narrow and now infilled cutting, for a short distance it emerges onto a low embankment. Looking west towards bridge 11 and St. Agnes station, 26th February 2007.
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2007-02-26 12:08:37
On the embankment looking east to Goonbell & Newquay.
On the embankment looking east to Goonbell & Newquay.
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2007-02-26 12:08:28

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2007-02-26 12:08:59
Detectable in its absence: the filled in cutting looping away from the road towards St. Agnes station shows clearly on the surface, despite being returned to grazing.
Detectable in its absence: the filled in cutting looping away from the road towards St. Agnes station shows clearly on the surface, despite being returned to grazing.
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2007-02-26 12:03:33
In the final approaches to Goonbell Halt, the line formerly swung into a narrow cutting immediately north of a minor road running to St. Agnes station. The cutting looks to be only recently infilled,and is evidenced by a rough unploughed strip next to the road. Railway fencing posts still abut the road, as displayed in this and the next shot.
In the final approaches to Goonbell Halt, the line formerly swung into a narrow cutting immediately north of a minor road running to St. Agnes station. The cutting looks to be only recently infilled,and is evidenced by a rough unploughed strip next to the road. Railway fencing posts still abut the road, as displayed in this and the next shot.
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2007-02-26 12:02:35
Remaing rail fencing alongside the recently infilled cutting west of Goonbell.
Remaing rail fencing alongside the recently infilled cutting west of Goonbell.
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2007-02-26 12:01:07
The remaining parapet of bridge 12 as seen from the road.
The remaining parapet of bridge 12 as seen from the road.
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2007-01-25 14:58:03
The surviving wrought iron gates heralding the entrance to Goonbell Halt. The platform lies buried beneath infill, although this eastern parapet of the neighbouring overbridge survives.
The surviving wrought iron gates heralding the entrance to Goonbell Halt. The platform lies buried beneath infill, although this eastern parapet of the neighbouring overbridge survives.
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2007-01-25 14:59:41
All that remains at Goonbell Halt; the rusting, boilertube entrance gate now leads nowhere.
All that remains at Goonbell Halt; the rusting, boilertube entrance gate now leads nowhere.
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2007-01-25 14:59:03
The remaining eastern parapet of bridge 12 adjacent to the site of Goonbell Halt.
The remaining eastern parapet of bridge 12 adjacent to the site of Goonbell Halt.
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2007-01-25 14:57:12
A desolate view of the cutting and the site of Goonbell Halt nestling beneath. Although the formation has been levelled out and incorporated into the adjacent field, the trackbed remains as a brambly belt heading east - this vegetational scar preserving the memory of the station beneath. From the parapet of bridge 12, 25th January 2007.
A desolate view of the cutting and the site of Goonbell Halt nestling beneath. Although the formation has been levelled out and incorporated into the adjacent field, the trackbed remains as a brambly belt heading east - this vegetational scar preserving the memory of the station beneath. From the parapet of bridge 12, 25th January 2007.
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2007-01-25 14:58:35
Bridge 13 is situated just as the line finally emerges from the former narrow cutting around Goonbell Halt onto a low embankment. West of this point the embankment has been scooped away as gardens in the village have taken advantage of the fallow industrial strip and lengthened southwards. Seen here in the chiaroscuro of low winter sun, 25th January 2007.
Bridge 13 is situated just as the line finally emerges from the former narrow cutting around Goonbell Halt onto a low embankment. West of this point the embankment has been scooped away as gardens in the village have taken advantage of the fallow industrial strip and lengthened southwards. Seen here in the chiaroscuro of low winter sun, 25th January 2007.
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2007-01-25 15:07:59
The southern aspect of bridge 13 showing the killas construction to good advantage.
The southern aspect of bridge 13 showing the killas construction to good advantage.
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2007-01-25 15:08:43
The trackbed on the embankments between bridges 13 and 14 is walkable for an exceedingly short distance before gorse consumes the passage, and is still thickly ballasted.
The trackbed on the embankments between bridges 13 and 14 is walkable for an exceedingly short distance before gorse consumes the passage, and is still thickly ballasted.
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2007-01-25 15:11:48
The distance from Blackwater Junction as marked on bridge 13.
The distance from Blackwater Junction as marked on bridge 13.
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2007-01-25 15:08:23
Parapet detail of bridge 13 from the trackbed. Note the construction of local 'killas' shale faced off with Staffordshire blue brick.
Parapet detail of bridge 13 from the trackbed. Note the construction of local 'killas' shale faced off with Staffordshire blue brick.
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2007-01-25 15:10:11
Bridge 14 is just a few chains further on a rutted farm track.
Bridge 14 is just a few chains further on a rutted farm track.
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2007-01-25 15:18:13
Surviving rail fence post beside bridge 14.
Surviving rail fence post beside bridge 14.
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2007-01-25 15:21:36

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2007-01-25 15:19:10