Just as a matter of interest, the wooden rails at Nangiles were continued in
use long after the introduction of metal rail; mainly due to the fact that
the highly acidic / copper laden water dissolved the iron rails or turned
them to copper.
The acidic water had the effect of "pickling" the wooden rails, thus tending
to preserve them. Considerable finds of wooden rails were made in this area
in the late 1960's / early 70's when (Foraky ? / Jack Symons) were clearing
adits etc.
I myself have used (temporary) wooden rails when clearing adit blockages.
Regards, Bob Orchard.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tony Brooks" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, January 14, 2005 3:49 AM
Subject: Undergrond wooden tramways
There is a description and a photograph of wooden rails underground in the
Nangiles mine in Cornwall in an article by Mike Messenger 'Early Cornish
Railways', Journal of the Trevithick Society, No.5 1977, p70-73.
Tony Brooks
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