The Pig Rails (Shropshire) Traditional Cache
scooby scrappy and mp: Will remove asap
The Pig Rails (Shropshire)
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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'The Pig Rails' is locatated just off the beaten track within an area of open space known as the Cockshutt Piece, near Oakengates, Telford. The terrain is fairly flat for the most part but pathways can become muddy after a good rainfall.
Parking and access can be gained from various locations. However, we usually like to park at N52 42.388' W002 26.716', you will find these co-ordinates just at the end of 'New Road (W'Wood)'. Just park in the hammerhead. Make your way onto the Cockshutt by climbing the steps located at the side of the nearby house. You will see a welcome sign at the entrance.
This area was famous for its iron & coal production and transportation. Now it's a dog walkers paradise!
Pig iron was produced locally and you can find remnants of the activity by the way of some locally named businesses, such as the Blue Pig public house (which is also situated closely to an old inclined plane) in Trench. Also, mining for coal was prolific in the area, both open cast and deep mining. The Granville colliery being well known and a major employer for the area not so long ago.
The Cockshutt was once part of a transportation route for both of the above products.
On your walk you may notice the deep cuts where the train tracks originally ran (hence the term 'pig rails' due to the pig iron that was produced). Previous to the shunters, it was down to barges (before they had power) that horses towed on the numerous canal routes (check out Newport canal for a good example)... but that's another story.
Just for info. there is a large reservoir that is situated next door to the mobile telephone masts that you will see just off the open grassed area. Many a young person got themselves into trouble for trying to swim in it in days gone by!
Signals may be slightly affected by tree cover. Although we had no trouble on the day this cache was first hidden.
The cache is a fair sized tupperware container, Inside the cache box is a number of items for both children and adults alike.
The cache should be found reasonably easily by a cacher who recognises the likely signs.
Just be careful not to be spotted by walkers on the main footpath nearby.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Vg vf uvqqra gvtug ntnvafg na byq ebggvat gerr fghzc.
Treasures
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