jhluxton
  • jhluxton
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7 years ago
I visited the former port of New Quay, down stream from the much better known Morwellham Quay shortly after undergrowth was cleared in 1985 not far from the George and Charlotte Mine.

On site was a vertical boiler portable steam winding engine. I should have photographed it in close up but didn't - so here is the best I have.

UserPostedImage MWQ163a - Portable Steam Engine - Lost Port of New Quay - Tamar Valley  by John Luxton , on Flickr

Does anyone know if this engine has a mining connection? When I posted this photo on the derelict places web forum someone helpfully suggested it could have been used to move trams around the limekilns but it is well know that this was done by a waterwheel and scrap doesn't get left around that long. The other suggestion was it might have been used in the mining industry.

Anyone know its history?

Thanks

John

www.jhluxton.com - Transport, Industrial Archaeology Photography and More
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jhluxton/  - my Flickr Photostream
Morlock
7 years ago
Is this the place in question?

[photo]113604[/photo]
jhluxton
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7 years ago
Yes it is.

When I visited the dense undergrowth which covered the site had only recently been cut back. The engine appeared to have only recently painted in "red lead".

John
www.jhluxton.com - Transport, Industrial Archaeology Photography and More
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jhluxton/  - my Flickr Photostream
Morlock
7 years ago
Not a great deal of tramway on site, perhaps the steam winch was used for haulage to the lime kiln charging position?

Edit: I suspect it would need anchoring to something for any serious pulling.
Tamarmole
7 years ago
Still at Newquay. By the time I started working there in 1995 the engine had been moved from the lime kiln to just opposite the mine portal.

The consensus is that the engine is a Robey dating from the early 20th century.

It was recovered from a clay works in the St Austell area where I believe that it was used for hauling wagons out of a clay pit

It belongs to Roger Pridham the boiler maker. Every time I see him he always tells me that he really must get round to doing something about it.
jhluxton
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7 years ago
"Morlock" wrote:

Not a great deal of tramway on site, perhaps the steam winch was used for haulage to the lime kiln charging position?

Edit: I suspect it would need anchoring to something for any serious pulling.



The lime kiln charging tramway was operated by a water powered winch - same arrangement as used at Morwellham.

www.jhluxton.com - Transport, Industrial Archaeology Photography and More
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jhluxton/  - my Flickr Photostream
jhluxton
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7 years ago
"Tamarmole" wrote:

Still at Newquay. By the time I started working there in 1995 the engine had been moved from the lime kiln to just opposite the mine portal.



Thanks for the update on this and clarifying its origin.

John
www.jhluxton.com - Transport, Industrial Archaeology Photography and More
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jhluxton/  - my Flickr Photostream

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