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Summary

Site of a private 19th century quarry horse tramway line running 2.25 miles from the granite quarry to Impham Quay

Location

Protected Status

• SHINE: Matthews shaft. Site of shafts and spoil heaps, part of the disused 19th-20th century Russell United Mine and section of line of 19th century horse tramway

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX47SW/584
• SHINE Candidate (Yes)

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• TRAMWAY (XIX - 1801 AD to 1900 AD (Between))

Full description

Buck, C., 2002, Devon Great Consols: Archaeological Assessment, 199 Figs 35,38 (Report - Assessment). SDV241758.

A private concern built a tramway from a granite quarry (see PRN 51110) to the east of Wheal Frementor (see PRN 42210) to Impham Quay. The railway is shown on the 1867 map & outlined on the 1884 map. The survey in 2002 found sections of the line obscured by dumping & collapse. At SX43167294 the railway had been cut through the hillside with the northern banks up to 3m high & at SX43347291 the track is built on a stone faced embankment 5.5m wide x 2.2m high. Other details: Sites 314 & 314/1.

Buck, C., 2003, Bedford United Mine: Archaeological Assessment, 101 (Report - Assessment). SDV319828.

Site of a private quarry railway line from a granite quarry to the east of ‘Wheal Frementor’ around the lower edge of the hillside to the north of the ‘Great Leat’ & then from ‘Blanchdown’ at SX42517252 following the east bank of the ‘River Tamar’ to ‘Impham Quay’ at SX43747055. A 40 year lease was granted for the railway in 1861 & it is shown on the 1867 survey plan but not on the OS (1884) map. A survey in 2003 found indications of the flat platform c2.8m wide that had mostly merged into the surrounding river bank. Other details: Fig 24, Site 138.

Buck, C., 2005, Wheal Russell Mine, Devon: Archaeological Assessment, 33 (Report - Assessment). SDV336659.

19th century quarry horse tramway running along the River Tamar from Frementor Quarry (see PRN 51110) at SX4251372510 through part of Devon Great Consols mine, through Bedford & South Bedford Consols & through Russell united Mine to Impham Quay at SX4397870535. A lease for the 2.25 mile tramway was granted in 1861 & the tramway is shown on 19th century maps. The project failed by 1874 7 the line went out of use. The survey in 2005 at Wheal Russell Mine found the extant trackbed through the mine c2.8 meters wide & sidings close to the Count House & the dressing floor suggested the mine may have used the railway to transport copper ore to Impham Quay. Other details: Figs 6, & 8.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV241758	Report - Assessment: Buck, C.. 2002. Devon Great Consols: Archaeological Assessment. Cornwall Archaeological Unit Report. 2002R069. Digital + A4. 199 Figs 35,38.
	Linked documents:1
SDV319828	Report - Assessment: Buck, C.. 2003. Bedford United Mine: Archaeological Assessment. Cornwall Archaeological Unit Report. 2003RO43. A4 Stapled + Digital. 101.
SDV336659	Report - Assessment: Buck, C.. 2005. Wheal Russell Mine, Devon: Archaeological Assessment. Cornwall County Council Report. 2006R0004. A4 Stapled + Digital. 33.

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV1934 - Bedford United Mine: Archaeological Assessment
• EDV4040 - Wheal Russell Mine, Devon: Archaeological Assessment
• EDV4081 - Devon Great Consols: Archaeological Assessment

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