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PHOTO
GALLERY GROUP 135
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The
Haytor Granite Tramway. The remains of this extraordinary
tramway, which operated between 1820 and 1858, can be traced from
granite quarries at Haytor on Dartmoor down to Ventiford, south
east of Heathfield, a distance of 10 miles. The tramway was the
brainchild of the Templer family of Teigngrace, who built it to
carry the granite to wharves at Ventiford on the Stover Canal, where
it was transshipped into barges and carried onwards by water transport.
More of a 'flangeway' than a railway, the tracks were constructed
from granite to a gauge of 4ft. 3in. and had an 'L' shaped profile,
facing outwards. Thanks to TV coverage, especially in an episode
of the 'Abandoned Engineering' series, the Haytor Granite Tramway
is probably better known now than it has ever been, but the upper
reaches of the network on the open moor still receive the most attention.
However, if one sets off downhill from above the village of Haytor
Vale, the tramway remains are just as many, and just as interesting. |
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Left:
The start of the long downhill run on the Haytor
Granite Tramway at grid reference SX 769775 above the village
of Haytor Vale, looking east. Note the junction in the distance.
It is thought that short lengths of pivoted wooden rail
were used to guide the wagons across points, and a round
socket to accommodate this will be found drilled into the
granite at each such location. 9th February 2019. (Jeff
Vinter) |
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Above:
As the tramway begins to lose height, it runs for about a
mile just north of the B3387, which links Widecombe-in-the-Moor with
Bovey Tracey. The curves can be tight (though tighter ones than this
follow), and, in places, the granite rails are being covered slowly
by the moorland grass. 9th February 2019. (Jeff Vinter) |
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Above:
The ultimate vandal-proof seat: a re-located granite sleeper
serving as a 'bench with a view' as the tramway enters Yarner Wood.
The rocks and quarries at Haytor are protected as a Site of Special
Scientific Interest, which prohibits development or any type of disturbance,
while the tramway is a Scheduled Monument. 9th February 2019. (Jeff
Vinter) |
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Above:
A typical view of the tramway in Yarner Wood. The tramway's
course here is not a public right of way but a permissive route, by
courtesy of the local landowners. Occasionally, sections may be closed
when farming needs require, but diversions are signed. 9th February
2019. (Jeff Vinter) |
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Above:
Anticipating later railway practice, and no doubt influenced
by the practice on canals (where mileposts were a legal requirement),
the Haytor Granite Tramway featured mileposts which measured the distance
from the quarries. This one, perched on a cutting face above the running
line, marks the half-way point in Yarner Wood. 9th February 2019.
(Jeff Vinter) |
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Above:
Shortly after the tramway leaves Yarner Wood, it offers a
fine view to the east over the Wray Valley, where the GWR branch line
to Moretonhampstead used to run. Following years of patient negotiation
with landowners, Devon County Council hopes to open that line between
Bovey Tracey and Moretonhampstead as the Wray Valley Trail before
the end of summer 2019. 9th February 2019. (Jeff Vinter) |
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Above:
This photograph may look like the result of an accidental
release of the camera's shutter, but it depicts the only surviving
bridge on the Haytor Granite Tramway, which carried the line over
the Bovey Pottery Leat at grid reference SX 803776, about 250 yards
south east of Chapple Farm on Chapple Road. The cold weather at the
time was not conducive to taking one's boots and socks off and actually
standing in the leat to get a better view! 9th February 2019. (Jeff
Vinter) |
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Above:
Between Chapple Road and Brimley Road to the west of Bovey
Tracey, the tramway offers extensive views to the north, which in
this photograph is to the right. This view was taken from approximately
grid reference SX 806774. Once again, granite sleepers are much in
evidence. 9th February 2019. (Jeff Vinter) |
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Left:
Our final view of the Haytor Granite Tramway is
milepost 8, which makes for a surprising discovery along
what amounts to an alleyway between Brimley Road and Ashburton
Road on the south west side of Bovey Tracey; only those
tracing the old tramway will realise what this signifies.
The tramway skirted Bovey and continued on through Heathfield
to reach Ventiford, where more granite sleepers will be
found around the canal wharf. However, between Bovey and
Ventiford, virtually no granite sleepers remain …
although they can be found in the masonry of nearby
railway bridges on the branch line up from Newton Abbot.
Clearly, the railway builders knew good quality stone when
they saw it. 9th February 2019. (Jeff Vinter) |
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