Dec 1837—7 Jul 1982: Hayle Wharves branch was taken out of use HAYLE WHARVES BRANCH
The Hayle Wharves branch was taken out of use on 7th July 1982 - the signalbox at Hayle closed the same day.
The Hayle Railway opened in December 1837 between Redruth and Hayle. Hayle station at that time being located below the current viaduct opposite the Post Office. This line came down two inclines from Camborne, one at Penponds, the other at Angarrack. Once down to almost sea level the line ran along the north side of Copperhouse creek along what is now King George V Walk. This original line crossed the creek very close to the current, though disused, rail swing bridge and continued along side Penpol Terrace to the original station site. The Hayle Railway via the Angarrack incline closed 16 Feb 1852. A new line to the West Cornwall Railway station at Hayle was opened 11 March 1852. The line along King George V walk saw further use as a branch serving an explosive works up on Mexico Towans.
1910 saw the opening of Hayle Power Station on Harvey's Towans. It was coal-fired and the coal was supplied by ship from South Wales until the station was closed in 1977. At the same time Hayle Harbour was also closed to commercial shipping, although a locally important fishing fleet, specialising mainly in shellfish.
In the years between the World Wars a number of small works were established on North Quay, including a glass works, a small oil depot and an ICI plant for producing bromine –a fuel additive for high octane aviation fuel. The ICI plant used the power stations waste hot water and which also supplied the electricity. The bromine was shipped by rail across the old A30 to the main GWR railway line, thence to England. Can anybody advise what traffic might have been carried in the tanks after the ICI works closed?
Andy Carlson knows, see his article after 'More Hayle Wharves Action'
1875 - Abt 1875 (0 years)
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