waggonwayman
17 years ago
Hi there,

Have any of you ever come across remains a narrow gauge cast iron 'modular' rail system on wooden sleepers ?
This was developed by John Curr circa 1796 [maybe at the Butterley Iron Co. in Ripley] and may have pre-dated Outrams stone block system.
I suspect that it might have been used to relay at least part of an unproven early 1600's waggonway from Trowell Moor to the Trent [to the west of Nottingham].

Waggonwayman


ICLOK
  • ICLOK
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17 years ago
The only track I can think of for which Curr became known (other than his regular plateways) was that used in Sheffield along Duke, Broad and South Streets carrying coal from the Duke of Norfolk's collieries in 1776. The line was approx 2 miles long and used shallow flanged rails 6ft long, 3" wide, with a 2" high flange. These were secured to wooden sleepers (4"x2.5") placed every 6 feet. The rails were rolled by Joseph Outram (Benjamin Outram's father) at Ripley Ironworks (Butterley).

This is the only out of ordinary Curr product I can think of but not sure it was narrow gauge! Curr was apparently influential in Coalbrookdale and narrow gauges were used there... perhaps using his 6 ft long rails.... though I can find no ref for that... sorry.

Regards ICLOK 😉
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh Creeper!!!!!

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