Dursley Donkey Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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A small traditional cache just off of the old railway branch line to Dursley
This cache is situated just off the line of the old railway branch line to Dursley from Coaley Junction where it was the connection from the main Midland Railway. The line is crossed just on the cache side of the river.
The Line opened on the 25th August 1856 to freight traffic and to passengers on the 18th September of the same year. The line was built by the Dursley and Midland Junction Railway Company. There were stations at Coaley (or almost) it was in fact just South West of the current Cam & Dursley Station, Cam by coincidence at the end of Station Road and finally Dursley at the bottom of Long Street.
Improvements came in 1861 when the company sold out to the Midland Railway. In turn this became part of the London Midland and Scottish Railway in 1923 and finally became part of British Rail (London Midland Region) in 1948.
The railway freight service provided transport for the local mills and R.A.Listers, both raw materials coming in and finished goods going out. For passengers this provided a vital link with Gloucester, Bristol and the rest of the country.
The train was known as the Dursley Donkey, Donkey was a term used for many small branch line trains. Like many local trains the Donkey is fondly remembered by anyone who can remember it especially for the boys at Cam Hopton School where the train passed by the playground.
What was normally a one or two coach train could become a ten coach Sunday School excursion with an engine both ends. These trips would take hundreds of youngsters to far off exotic locations such as Weston Super Mare or over the Severn Railway Bridge to Barry Island.
Unfortunately Mr Beeching swung his axe and the line was officially closed to passenger traffic in March 1963. Goods services continued until July 1970 when a lorry damaged the bridge at littlecombe.
Congratulations to GruntyV8 for a very quick find.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Bccbfvgr n tngr, oruvaq n gerr
Treasures
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