George & Charlotte Mine, Morwellham Quay, near Tavistock, Devon.

16th November 2004

Not an industrial line but in fact part of the Morwellham Quay Museum near Tavistock in Devon. Morwellham portrays the trades of the local mining industries and as part of this the George and Charlotte mine has been developed. It is possible to ride behind Wingrove and Rogers BEV battery locos along a narrow ledge parallel with the River Tamar then into the mine itself, where passengers are presented with a number of 'Son et Lumieres' before exiting via another adit and returning along the banks of the Tamar.

Although the George and Charlotte mine is an authentic copper mine, part of the adits used by the 2ft gauge line today were driven in the late 1970’s to lengthen the existing system. A number of interesting wagons and spare (or under repair/derelict) locos are kept in sidings both at the station area and at the run round loop at the far end of the line. It is worth noting that the route of the line is laid on a public footpath, so it is possible to walk the length of the line (NOT the mine itself) during operational periods, but beware that some of the line is laid on very narrow ledges where clearance for people and trains is very limited so it is best to alert the mine staff to your intentions.

The following pictures were taken whilst briefly passing through the area, on a quiet weekday and unfortunately I missed the only train to operate whilst I was there!

The view that greets passengers after a short walk from the main museum site. One BEV is stationed in the headshunt.	A closer view of 'Bertha' parked in the headshunt. Wingrove and Rogers w/n 6298 of 1960.	Rear view of 'Bertha'.	General view of the basic station, looking back to the museum.
The line leaving the station area, with various wagons stored on the right, and a spare train set kept on the siding in the distance.	A pair of rock shovels in the station area. One built by Atlas, the other presumably by Eimco.	One of the spare battery locos with a rake of man-riders parked up.	Another two BEV locos spare.
Various wagons and the breakdown/emergency wagon converted from one of the standard public man-riders.	A general view of the route along the ledge with the Tamar to the left.	Looking towards the mine entrance, just visible in the distance. Note the narrow ledge in the middle distance with a precipitous drop!	The mine entrance, returning trains use the line on the right.
The other adit where trains exit after passing through the mine.	Various U-tubs and skips kept in the sidings at the run round loop.	Another couple of sets of spare man-riders and basic maintenance facilities.	Yet another spare BEV with a new battery box being constructed.
A derelict BEV chassis dumped off the track at the far end of the line.	A view of the run round loop, maintenance facilities, and general equipment.	An interesting mine tub parked with some more typical u-tubs.	The track plan displayed for safety reasons, but it is incredibly accurate!