Helston branch line, bridge no 1. Traditional Cache
Calluna Tib: As there has been no response to the previous log requesting that the cache is checked it will now need to be archived.
Regards
Heather
Calluna Tib
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Helston branch line, bridge no 1.
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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The cache itself is a small click lock box & contains an eden project keyring & badge a southern comfort keyring, pencil & log book.
The second in a series of caches along the course of the old Helston branch line, the line was first opened in 1887 & ran between Helston station & Gwinear road (between Camborne & Hayle) where it joined the main line, there were also stations at Praze & Nancegollen & later a further platform at Truthall. The railway originally ran steam engines until the late 50’s when they were replaced by diesels. In the early 60’s along with many branch lines the decision was made to close the line and the last passenger train ran in November 1962 it stayed open for a couple of years for freight trains but they too stopped in October 1964.
The railway line has always been important to me personally as along with many ex-Helston school pupils of a certain age will remember a section of the track-bed formed part of our cross-country course including across the spectacular Lowertown viaduct.
More recently a group of enthusiasts decided to form ‘The Helston Railway Preservation Co Ltd’ with a view to restoring and eventually re-opening a section of the railway. Based at Trevarno they have cleared a large section of the line & have laid down a section of track within Trevarno Gardens & have acquired a couple of diesels engines that they regularly run on this section of track. The long-term aim is to once again run passenger trains between Nancegollen & Helston ,with additional stations at Trevarno and at Truthall. They have recently completed work on the platform at Trevarno and there is an information centre there. (The gardens themselves are worth a visit anyway). Planning permission has also just been granted for the re-building of the platform at Truthall
Hard to imagine it today but the cache site was the site of the 1st bridge along the line after leaving gwinear rd, not much can be seen of the bridge or track can be seen today but it was of typical granite construction and passed over polmenor downs north & the track bed has long since been adopted as farm-land, there are a few tell-tale signs around like the fence post beside the gateway made from railway line.
Best done by parking near the old station site and walking to the cache site down the bridle way, there is not much to see at the station site considering this was quite a busy junction, just the remains of the platform, however walking down the bridleway you pass the cattle dock where cattle & other livestock were contained before continuing on there journey & the station masters house.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Envyl rnfl gb svaq!