I was never sure whether to describe Chacewater as open or closed. The down platform and Station Building – a rather ugly affair – were still there, as was the Signal Box, and the Blue Circle Cement Company terminal behind it showed signs of activity now and again. I was puzzled by the ‘C’ plate underneath the Box’s nameplate, but the Cornwall Railway Society’s website, since discovered, explains that in great detail. The “up” platform had been removed, as had the track from Blackwater Junction, the earthworks of which were still huge and dominant, but being reclaimed by gorse.
This location really was foreign territory to me – which I’d love to have explored if the station was still open to provide access. I’d been alongside long portions of the track – as enabled by access from nearby roads – from Penzance as far as the tramway trackbed to Portreath, but pretty-well Scorrier eastwards had only been viewed from the train, or car. The difficulty of getting to Chacewater by public transport made a visit impossible as a kid, but other railway locations were far more promising anyway!
This 1920s picture of the eastern side of Chacewater Station shows the buildings and signal box on the left with footbridge leading to the island platform and its shelters at the right. The running in board is cast iron. © Locomotive & General Railway Photographs. 2####AB01-CWR-STATN-VI_NW
Exhaust flies eastwards as a railmotor chugs across the exposed top edge of Blackwater viaduct. A tall telegraph pole carrying many connectors is visible through the seond arch, planted in a rather desolate valley poisoned by heavy metals in the mine attle. #####AI01-CWR-RLMTR-PAS_D
As con rods clank and steam gushes, 6808 “BEENHAM GRANGE” approaches Chacewater under a web of stay cables for the wooden signals. Behind the small tender are the recessed end doors of an auto trailer, with a sealed gangway connection. 3####AA02-CWR-s6808-PAS_U
Heading an “up” passenger service is 4085 “BERKELEY CASTLE”, no doubt checking a little for the severe curve ahead. The signals beside it are unusually tall in order to be seen above the bridge ahead by the Signaller at Chacewater Signal Box. 3####AA03-CWR-s4085-PAS_U
The fireman looks ahead as 4588 enters Chacewater from the west with a local train made of two different sets of carriages. The village of Blackwater is in the landscape behind, and the line to the right of the loco bends around through it, and on to Newquay. 3####AA04-CWR-s4588-PAS_U
With a cycling lion BR emblem on its tank side, 4588 is the branch engine leaving Chacewater for St Agnes and Perranporth. There is a mix of converging lines, with 4588’s route hugging the left side of the cutting along with points rodding and signal cabling. 3####AA01-CWR-s4588-PAS_O
4090 “DORCHESTER CASTLE” furiously ejects steam as it emerges from the first bridge west of Chasewater with a train for Penzance. Although both bracket signals carry a diamond plate indicating “no telephone”, there are a couple of cabinets beside the nearest. 3####AA05-CWR-s4090-PAS_D
Light glints off the rims of the front wheels of 1001 “COUNTY OF BUCKINGHAM, heading a passenger service apparently somewhere near Chacewater. The pep pipe dangles from beside the fireman’s elbow as he looks conscientiously ahead. 610922A01-CWR-s1001-PASGR
Nearing Chacewater, D1026 “WESTERN CENTURION” slows for the sharp bend before the former station, viewed from the over bridge west of the station. The space to the right of the tracks is where the former Perranporth branch line once lay, now encroached by gorse, and before the loco is a hopper for ballast tamping by gangs who walk the trackbed. 7406##A03-CWR-D1026-PAS_U
50016 powers through the site of Chacewater Station with a Mk1 Midland service in August 1974. The former up platform beside the loco has been bulldozed into a heap of debris, with vegetation thick upon it, and on the down platform, the station building and signal box, remain, and behind, the Blue Circle cement terminal tower forms a prominent landmark. 7408#AB01-CWR-50016-PAS_U
The remaining arm of the signal has dropped and crossing Blackwater Viaduct just east of Chacewater is D1059 “WESTERN EMPIRE” with a “down” passenger service; thick black exhaust indicating it is gearing up for the incline beyond the station. 7404#AA01-CWR-D1059-PAS_D
The sleek shape of the train hauled by large-logo 50037 “ILLUSTRIOUS” complements solid elegance of Blackwater Viaduct below it. To the left is the station master’s residence at Chacewater, and the top of the cement storage facility beside the station. 8####AX01-CWR-50037-PAS_U
The Eric Curnow Collection 