The line uphill from Hayle twists and turns crossing Guildford and Angarrack viaducts and meets the site of Gwinear Road Station on the flat, that was built there for the branch to Helston. Knowing the incline line from Hayle Quay had intersected with the main line in that general area once, after years of speculation as to where the line once ran, I found I was correct on my selection of a straight wall remains, cum treeline, cum mini embankment that would have joined about a quarter of a mile to the west of Gwinear Road Station. Quite frequently trains were held up at the level crossing, and I’d window-hang, trying to conceive what had been there in the past. A farm gate on the south side of the track had a West Cornwall Railway sign on the gate, giving warning of the consequences of not closing it behind you and trespass and so forth, and over the years sidings and earth-workings diminished what was once there. This was the same for the down sidings too, and the station platforms, and although today’s journey through the site is a severe curve and level crossing flashing lights with the klaxons going, there are still several reminders of how things once were.
Gwinear Road Station, looking to Camborne in 1920. A wooden 316 milepost is on the up platform amid the gas lamp standards, and on the retaining wall opposite there is an enamel advert for ‘Black&White” scotch whisky. Emphasised by the wide platforms, everything has an air of solid permanence. Copyright: L&GRP. 20###AA01-GWI-STATN-VIS_E
This view of the “down” side goods yard shows four long sidings alongside the main line, and one opposite. The “East” signal box can be seen far left with a 45XX beside it, and the stock consists of vans and tanks and (mainly) cattle trucks for broccoli. 51###AA02-GWI-G_YRD-VIS_E
“COUNTY OF BRECKNOCK”, 1007, takes the attention of those waiting on the opposite platform as it leaves Gwinear Road Station with an “Up” passenger service on 13th August 1959. The West Signal Box can be seen on the platform at far left. 590813A01-GWI-s1007-PAS_U
4563 shunts across the level crossing at Gwinear Road Station protected by very long crossing gates. Its exhaust rises vertically into a maze of telegraph wires, and a van behind proclaims use between Helston, Gwinear Road and Drump Lane only. 610922A01-GWI-S4563-SHU_G
5987 “BROCKET HALL” rounds the curve into the east end of Gwinear Station past a spare set of branch coaches and the normal assortment of open wagons and cattle trucks, now largely used for broccoli from the farms down the Lizard peninsula. 57##99A01-GWI-s5987-PAS_D
7921 “EDSTONE HALL” drifts into Gwinear Road Station with a Penzance-bound passenger service of mixed stock. In the foreground is track maintenance equipment and behind is a rake of cattle vans, by this time used for “broccoli’ grown prolifically locally. To the right beside the loading gauge is a gas wagon, providing fuel for remote locations “off the grid”. 60###AN01-SAU–D825-PAS_U
This close up of the “down” platform shows the addition of a bracket signal, painting has been rationalised to fewer colours, and more connectors are underneath the eaves of the building. Powered cycles have replaced the pedal versions. 5####AS01-GWI-S_BLG-VIS_W
Staff photographed on the ramp of a platform at Gwinear Road circa 1960. A boundary fence is behind and handrail/barrier in front. I was too young to remember the station but must have used it to ride on one of the last trains on the Helston Branch. 6####FG01-GWI-STAFF-POSNG
Diesel power now dominates services, as a D63XX waits in the branch platform, and a 3-Car DMU takes a local service to Truro. The station sign declares changing for Helston, and rather greater ease in reaching the other places than was actually the case. 62###AA01-GWI-PLTFM-VIS_S
The Running In Board has lost all reference to Helston and other places, yet the station still provides a welcome semi-dry refuge as it was sited in a very isolated position. The plate on the bridge reads ‘H C PHIPPS MAKER CHIPPENHAM WILTS.’ 6####AS01-GWI-STATN-VI__W
4566 – the last ‘tank’ to be painted at Newton Abbot Works – slowly pulls away from a branch train from Helston at Gwinear Road Station, that it has just brought in, to run wrong-line down the track on the other side of the platform for the return journey. Neatly-raked platform gardens contrast strongly with the overgrown bank of the cutting side opposite. 5####IC01-GWI-s4566-PAS_I
The branch train waits at Platform 3 of Gwinear Road Station in the sunshine as a woman and girl wait centre stage. What looks as if it might be an air raid shelter is on the left, and the signal box to the right has a built on entrance lobby and bricked up window. 5########-GNR-STATN_VI–W
An official 1965 BR view of Gwinear Road Station with the gates closed to rail traffic, six months after closure of the station and the same before the signal box followed. The footbridge doesn’t carry soot deposits now diesels are in soul operation. 650428A01-GWI-STATN-VI__W
Looking westwards from Gwinear level crossing, the front of the former down platform edge remains, in shade, but up platform opposite has been excavated away. New and old speed restriction signs emphasise the distinction between them. 8110#BB01-GWI-STATN-VI_SW and 8110#BB02-GWI-STATN-VI_SW
With sirens now muted but red lights still flashing, a Class 47 diesel with a domino glass headcode releases itself from the speed restriction on the curve at Gwinear Road level crossing and opens up towards Penzance in 1980. 8001#AI01-GWI-47###-PAS_D
The Eric Curnow Collection 