About SideTracked Caches
This cache belongs to the SideTracked series. It is not designed to take you to a magical place with a breath taking view. It's a distraction for the weary traveller, but anyone else can go and find it too. More Information can be found on the SideTracked Series website at www.sidetrackedseries.info https://www.sidetrackedseries.info
This is a simple traditional geocache, which can be done as a cache and dash - see hints below.
However it is also a REALLY SideTracked Cache - which is being placed on 16th Anniversary of the SideTracked Series - 10 August 2023, so anyone finding this cache on that date, or on future Anniversary date, can add a profile badge to their profile page - see http:///www.sidetrackedseries.info/badges/day.
The SideTracked series offers geocachers a much broader opportunity for interests into both current and historic railways and also local industrial archaeloogy.
This Really Sidetracked - Hallenbeagle was one of the less well known "stations" which lies to the East of Redruth and Scorrier Stations, and then to the west of Truro and Chacewater Station. It evolved initially with the mining history of the site in the early/mid 1800's - with Read's Engine House shown in the background, which was part of the Wheal Busy Group. This mine was primarily a copper mine, although also produced arsenic and pyrites. It closed between 1870-1878. Later the surrounding area was utilised as a sawmill, and later in the 20th century as a concrete works.
A "loop" was constructed operated by a signal box, which has long since been demolished, but was located in the approximate area of the cache. The loop, provided a "siding" to allow loading of freight and there are still remains of the platform - to the left hand side of the photo below, although now overgrown.
The photo is taken from the pedestrian crossing near the geocache location. (N.B. A trail head is shown to approach the cache. The footpath network does cross the railway but Great CARE should be taken!! This is an unmanned crossing of the main Penzance to Paddington railway line. It is NOT necessary to use this crossing to reach the cache from the trailhead!!)
For those who share the wider interest two other photos of the site are provided below.
(Additionally the artist, Don Breckon, famous for many railway paintings, did a painting - "City of Truro passing Hallenbeagle" - which is in the Truro Museum, but can also be seen on-line with various search "engines"! - Also now added to Gallery)
This photo (copyright Sid Sponheimer) is taken from the viewpoint location and shows 1055 Western Advocate heading east.
This photo dated 1968 (copyright Sid Sponheimer) is taken from the platform side looking towards the west and shows D803 Albion leading D804 Avenger. To the left of the picture the loading gauge is evident, but now sadly lost.
THE CACHE
The cache is a simple traditional cache. It is possible to drive very close to gz - and park and grab (but please be stealthy!). Alternatively the cache can be reached as a slight diversion when walking many of the mineral tramways in the area.