Dear List,
The archaeological excavations at Morwellham Quay Open Air Museum in West Devon, for CBA National Archaeology Week have uncovered a substantially complete cast iron plateway system from 1817. This was on a siding, one of four which radiated out from the foot of the Tavistock Canal Incline, which connected the canal with the Tamar river quays, 237 feet below the canal.
We have about 150 metres of track in-situ with two turntables, one of which has plate rail attached to its surviving wooden deck and associated crossover rails; the other of which has much of its supporting ironwork and runner wheels intact. These must be the earliest turntables to survive intact anywhere in the UK, and the fact that they are associated with the mining engineer John Taylor is of considerable importance both nationally and internationally. The turntables lay at the foot of an inclined plane, powered by a water wheel, which hauled wagons of coal and limestone onto a limekiln. The excavations confirm the early date of this kiln, which seems to have been of 'continuous running' type.
The excavations will continue until this Sunday, 24th July, and the majority of the site will remain open, with interpretation boards, until September. I would urge all list members with interests in early railway systems to come and have a look while the remains are uncovered. Morwellham Quay Museum is on 01822 832766, or visit our website for directions to the Museum at www.morwellham-quay.co.uk The Museum is holding a Science Weekend on the 23-24th July, and the excavations will feature in this.
Robert Waterhouse, Morwellham Quay Archaeologist
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