Duchal Railway Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Lorgadh: As the owner has not responded to my previous log requesting that they check this cache I am archiving it.

If you wish to email me please send your email via my profile (click on my name) and quote the cache name and number.

Regards

Karen
Lorgadh - Volunteer UK Reviewer www.geocaching.com
UK Geocaching Policies Wiki
Geocaching Help Center

More
Hidden : 12/30/2011
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
3 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works
Looking for a different adventure?

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

The cache is located at the remains of a small viaduct which carried a former railway across the moors between Kilmalcolm and Lochwinnoch.

Access via Hardridge Farm, approached from either B786 or B788. Parking is quite limited however there is room for one car at N55 52.469 W004 40.724. Pass through the field gate immediately west of Hardridge Farm and head west along the gravel track . The route takes about 40 minutes – the walk is a gentle uphill trek on this track. The track is somewhat discontinuous, occasionally flooded and frequented by cows.
A longer access can be taken from the south and may be of interest to hillwalkers or, more probably, mountain bikers. From Muirshiel Country Park centre, follow the barytes mine path as far as N55 50.198 W004 42.077 where another gravel track breaks off to the north – follow this track north (do not cross the river to the west). The track is broken in a couple of places by minor burns cutting their way through the bog. These are crossed by throwing your bike across the burn into the heather then following on. Terrain for this approach should be read as rating “4”.
The railway is narrow gauge and was constructed by the Lithgow family in 1922 during an unusually quiet period in shipbuilding. It was built to carry grouse-shooting parties across the moors. It is believed that the sleepers and tracks were not newly manufactured – these were recycled from former industrial railways within shipyards and collieries. Approaching from Hardridge, the rusting corrugated iron locomotive shed is first encountered, its purpose indicated by remnants of track disappearing inside it. The railway is now discontinuous, but originally comprised some 5 miles of track via three branches. The extent of these branches is shown on OS maps.
Grouse butts are still in evidence on these moors, although unused. The widely recognised red grouse are common within these hills. More interestingly, the less common black grouse also have a stronghold here.
Views from the cache location are excellent, looking eastwards down through the Gryffe Valley and beyond to Paisley, Glasgow and the Lanarkshire hills.

Special thanks to Muirshiel country park manager for his help and approval of the placement of this cache.

Additional Hints ()

Pnpur whfg orybj envy yriry. Nqwnprag gb abegu-rnfg "nohgzrag" bs gur ivnqhpg.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)

Advertising with Us