Fraud Blocker Skip to main content

Home > Europe > United Kingdom > England > Cornwall > Devoran

Locomotive Smelter on the Redruth and Chacewater line, Cornwall. After 1854

Locomotive Smelter on the Redruth and Chacewater line, Cornwall. After 1854



We accept all major credit cards

Royal Cornwall Museum

Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Royal Cornwall Museum

Locomotive Smelter on the Redruth and Chacewater line, Cornwall. After 1854

Driver and fireman posing for the camera and a group of small children looking on from the vantage point of a high hedge in the background. Authorised by an Act of Parliament in 1824, the Redruth and Chacewater Railway opened on January 30th 1826, running from the Gwennap copper mines to the south coast port of Devoran, with a branch line to service the mines of Redruth. The 4ft gauge line carried minerals and goods only and generally worked profitably. It was worked by horses until 1854 when two tank locomotives, Miner and Smelter, were bought - the first steam locomotives in Cornwall. Eventually during the 1860s the two competing lines were joined to form a coast to coast railway line. The line closed in 1915. Photographer: Unknown

Royal Cornwall Museum is the UK's Greatest Museum For Cornish Life & Culture

TRURI : RYrch.1

Media ID 12387165

© From the collection of the RIC


FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS

> Animals > Farm > Horses > Related Images

> Animals > Mammals > Horse > Related Images

> Europe > United Kingdom > England > Cornwall > Chacewater

> Europe > United Kingdom > England > Cornwall > Devoran

> Europe > United Kingdom > England > Cornwall > Gwennap

> Europe > United Kingdom > England > Cornwall > Redruth

> Royal Cornwall Museum > Railways

> Royal Cornwall Museum > Transport > Railways


Capturing the Industrial Revolution - A Glimpse into Cornwall's Railway History

EDITORS COMMENTS
. This print from the Royal Cornwall Museum takes us back in time to witness a pivotal moment in Cornwall's industrial history. The image showcases the Locomotive Smelter on the Redruth and Chacewater line, an engineering marvel authorized by an Act of Parliament in 1824. In this snapshot, we see a driver and fireman striking a proud pose for the camera, their faces etched with determination and pride. Behind them, perched atop a high hedge, a group of small children gazes curiously at this new technological wonder unfolding before their eyes. The Redruth and Chacewater Railway opened its tracks on January 30th, 1826, connecting the Gwennap copper mines to Devoran port along with servicing nearby mines in Redruth through its branch line. Initially relying on horse-drawn carriages to transport minerals and goods efficiently, it wasn't until 1854 that two tank locomotives named Miner and Smelter were introduced – marking Cornwall's first steam-powered engines. As years passed by, these competing railway lines merged during the 1860s to form a coast-to-coast transportation network that revolutionized trade within Cornwall. However, progress eventually took its toll as changing times led to the closure of this historic railway line in 1915. Through this remarkable photograph captured by an unknown photographer from Cornish heritage (not affiliated with any

MADE IN THE UK
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee

FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools

FREE COLORIZATION SERVICE
You can choose advanced AI Colorization for this picture at no extra charge!

SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you

* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Basket.




Related Images


GWR tank number 34 pictured with four men on the St Ives branch. Around 1905
GWR tank number 34 pictured with four men on the St Ives branch. Around 1905
GWR (4-4-0) Bulldog SWIFT (3350) with men posed in front. Between 1900-1912
GWR (4-4-0) Bulldog SWIFT (3350) with men posed in front. Between 1900-1912
Pednandrea stamps and mine dressing floor at Wheal Sparnon, Redruth, Cornwall. 1865
Pednandrea stamps and mine dressing floor at Wheal Sparnon, Redruth, Cornwall. 1865
Battery of Cornish stamps with engine man, miners and grass captain (or surface captain) in white, Wheal Sparnon, Redruth, Cornwall. Around 1865
Battery of Cornish stamps with engine man, miners and grass captain (or surface captain) in white, Wheal Sparnon, Redruth, Cornwall. Around 1865
Calstock viaduct, Cornwall. After 2nd March 1908
Calstock viaduct, Cornwall. After 2nd March 1908
East Pool Mine, Illogan, Cornwall. Late 1800s
East Pool Mine, Illogan, Cornwall. Late 1800s
Group of Miners, Dolcoath Mine, Camborne, Cornwall. Probably early 1900s
Group of Miners, Dolcoath Mine, Camborne, Cornwall. Probably early 1900s
Dolcoath Mine, Camborne, Cornwall. 1893
Dolcoath Mine, Camborne, Cornwall. 1893
Traction engine outside the Wheel Inn, Tresillian, Cornwall. 1920s
Traction engine outside the Wheel Inn, Tresillian, Cornwall. 1920s
Botallack Copper Mine, Cornwall - 1833 woodcut
Botallack Copper Mine, Cornwall - 1833 woodcut
Surface workers at Wheal Sparnon dressing floor, Redruth, Cornwall. Around 1865
Surface workers at Wheal Sparnon dressing floor, Redruth, Cornwall. Around 1865
South Condurrow Mine, Camborne, Cornwall. September 1898
South Condurrow Mine, Camborne, Cornwall. September 1898

+

Shipping

+

Choices

+

Reviews

+

Guaranteed




Related Collections


Railways
Railways
Browse 59 Prints
Railways
Railways
Browse 81 Prints
Horses Related Images
Horses Related Images
Browse 65,664 Prints
Chacewater
Chacewater
Browse 17 Prints
Devoran
Devoran
Browse 7 Prints
Gwennap
Gwennap
Browse 47 Prints
Redruth
Redruth
Browse 92 Prints
Horse Related Images
Horse Related Images
Browse 65,375 Prints