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British quarrying and mining narrow-gauge railways

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For a list of passenger-carrying narrow-gauge railways, see British narrow-gauge railways.

Maenofferen quarry tramways
Trackwork including a point on the Haytor Granite Tramway

Some industrial narrow-gauge railways in the United Kingdom and the Isle of Man were primarily built to serve quarrying, mining, and similar industries. Some of these narrow-gauge railways offered passenger services for employees or workmen, but they did not run public passenger trains. They are listed by the primary industry they served.

Cement works

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Many of the cement works and their associated chalk pits had narrow gauge railways, particularly those in the South East of England. The Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers Ltd. (APCM, later Blue Circle Industries, and Lafarge) was the major producer of cement in the United Kingdom in the second half of the twentieth century and many of their plants used railways.

Name Opened Closed Gauge Location Notes
APCM Cliffe Works 1934 ? 1959 2 ft (610 mm) Cliffe-at-Hoo, England Extensive diesel-hauled chalk pit railway.
APCM Bevans Works ? after 1962 2 ft (610 mm) Northfleet, England Short line operating on a riverside wharf
APCM Harbury Works[1] ? after 1961 3 ft (914 mm) Harbury, England Quarry line worked with a rare Fowler 2-4-0 diesel locomotive
APCM Holborough Works[2] 1923 1969 3 ft (914 mm) Snodland, England Steam- and diesel- hauled railway at the Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers Ltd's cement plant at Holborough.
APCM Sittingbourne Brickworks before 1898 after 1963 2 ft (610 mm) Sittingbourne, England Internal brickworks railway
APCM Rodmell Works[3] before 1910 1975 2 ft (610 mm) Beddingham, England Short line serving a cement works
APCM Sittingbourne Works[1] ? 1971 4 ft 3 in (1,295 mm) Sittingbourne, England Cement works line with the last narrow gauge steam locomotive in that industry.
APCM Kent Works[2] 1877 1927 3 ft 9+1⁄2 in (1,156 mm) Greenhithe, England Steam-hauled railway at the Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers Ltd's cement plant at Greenhithe.
APCM Sundon Works[4] ? 1974 3 ft (914 mm) Luton, England Cement works line.
British Standard Cement Works 1912 1932 2 ft (610 mm) Rainham, England Notable as the only industrial line in Britain to use an ex-WDLR Baldwin locomotive.
Broom Bank 1933 1962 4 ft 3 in (1,295 mm) Murston, England Steam hauled cement works and clay pit line
Chinnor Cement & Lime[5] 1962 2 ft (610 mm) Chinnor, England Locomotive and cable worked lines serving the chalk quarry and washmills.
Smeed Dean & Co. 1900 1949 3 ft 7+1⁄2 in (1,106 mm) Murston, England Chalk pit line
Francis & Co. 1871 1920 3 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,130 mm) Cliffe, England Steam-worked chalk quarry railway
Gillingham Portland Cement Co. 1870s? 1910 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Gillingham, England Early cement works line
I. C. Johnson & Co. before 1872 1928 3 ft 9+1⁄2 in (1,156 mm) Greenhithe, England Internal steam hauled railway, replaced by a standard gauge line.
J. B. White & Bros - Swanscombe Works[6] 1825 1929 3 ft 5+1⁄2 in (1,055 mm) Swanscombe, England Steam locomotive worked from 1875 onwards. Internal works line with rare outside flanged rolling stock
Knight, Bevan & Sturge 1873 ? 1928 2 ft 8+1⁄2 in (825 mm) Northfleet, England Extensive chalk quarry system, eventually superseded by a standard gauge line
Queenborough Cement Works 1896 1930? unknown Queenborough, England Line worked by two Aveling and Porter steam locomotives
RPCM Barrington Cement Works[7] by 1979 2 ft (610 mm) Barrington, England Short locomotive-worked line
RPCM Rochester Works ? 1952 2 ft (610 mm) Halling, England Extensive cement works railway
RPCM Southam Works[8] ? 1956 2 ft (610 mm) Southam, England Steam locomotive worked railway
Tolhurst & Sons 1860s before 1948 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Gravesend, England Large internal chalk quarry system

Lime works

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  • Peak Forest Tramway
    Peak Forest Tramway
Name Opened Closed Gauge Location Notes
Barn Hill Quarry railway[9] 1928 1938 20 in (508 mm) Chipping Sodbury, England 800-yard (732 m) long locomotive worked line; locomotive transferred to Penlee Quarry railway in 1947
Beswick's Limeworks railway[10] Before 1925 ? 2 ft (610 mm) Hindlow, England Internal tramways that used two unusual Crossley Brothers 25 hp locomotives supplied in 1925
Black Rock Quarry[11][12] before 1919 1949 2 ft (610 mm) Portishead, England Tramway connecting the Black Rock and Nightingale quarries with the Weston, Clevedon and Portishead Railway. Used two Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 steam locomotives, later replaced with Motor Rail Simplex internal combustion locomotives.
British Quarrying Co Ltd Allington Quarry railway[9] 1928 1956 2 ft (610 mm)? Maidstone, England Locomotive worked internal quarry system
British Quarrying Co Ltd Borough Green Quarry railway[9] before 1921 1956 20 in (508 mm) Borough Green, England Internal quarry system for "Kentish Ragstone". Originally horse worked, Simplex locomotive introduced in 1921
Brockham Lime Works[13] 1870s (?) 1936 2 ft (610 mm) Dorking, England Lime pits and works railway, later home of the Brockham Museum
Buriton Lime Works[14] before 1897 after 1936 3 ft (914 mm) and 2 ft (610 mm) Buriton, England Diesel locomotive worked railway
Butserhill Lime Works[14] before 1932 by 1945 Butser Hill, England
Conygar Quarry[15] ? ? 2 ft (610 mm) Clevedon, England Short tramway running along an embankment from the quarry to a siding on the Weston, Clevedon and Portishead Railway.
Cauldon Low Quarry before 1906 1933 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Waterhouses, England Limestone quarry with an internal steam-worked railway system
Dorking Greystone Lime Co.[13] 1880 1954 3 ft 2+1⁄4 in (972 mm) and 2 ft (610 mm) Betchworth, England Well-known steam hauled internal limeworks line.
Darnley Lime Works Tramway and Mineral Railway[16] before 1864 early 1960s 2 ft (610 mm) Darnley, East Renfrewshire Tramway serving limestone and fire clay quarries
Dunball Quarry[11] before 1930 1954 2 ft (610 mm) Dunball, England Steam locomotive worked tramway connecting the Dunball quarry with the lime works
Flagstaff Quarry[17] 1941 3 ft (914 mm) Anglesey, Wales Internal incline-worked quarry line
Little Ormes Head Quarry tramway[18] 1889 1931 3 ft (914 mm) Porth Dyniewyd, Wales Internal limestone quarry railway.
Milton Quarry[17] early 1900s 1966 1 ft 11+1⁄2 in (597 mm) Weston-super-Mare, England Small limestone quarry with cable-hauled railway
Oxstead Greystone Lime Co.[1][13] before 1912 1971 2 ft (610 mm) Oxstead, England Internal railway of lime quarry and works.
Parc-y-Meirch quarry railway[19] 1923 1958 2 ft (610 mm) St. Asaph, Wales Locomotive-worked line connecting the limestone quarry with the standard gauge Kinmel Camp Railway
Peak Forest Tramway 1794 1923 4 ft 2 in (1,270 mm) Chapel en le Frith, England Early tramway that was horse and chain hauled throughout its life.
Whitehaven Quarry 1932 1953 4 ft (1,219 mm) Oswestry, Wales A series of rope-hauled inclines and steam locomotive worked tramways.

Brickworks

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Name Opened Closed Gauge Location Notes
A. Hone & Sons Ltd. Ewhurst Brickworks[13] after 1971 2 ft (610 mm) Cranleigh, England Diesel and battery-electric locomotive worked line
Albrook Brickworks[14] before 1939 after 1968 2 ft (610 mm) Eastleigh, England Diesel locomotive worked line
Alne Brick Co. Ltd. Alne Brickworks[20] 1986 2 ft (610 mm) Easingwold, England Locomotive-worked brickworks railway. Site still producing bricks as York Handmade Brick Company.
Alne Brick Co. Ltd. Hemingbrough Brickworks[7] after 1979 2 ft (610 mm) Selby, England Locomotive-worked brickworks railway.
Baxters Brickworks railway[3] 1888 1969 2 ft (610 mm) Bexhill, England Short line serving the clay pit and brickworks.
Bilsthorpe Brick Co. Bilsthorpe Brickworks[7] after 1979 3 ft (914 mm) and 2 ft 8+1⁄2 in (825 mm) Bilsthorpe, England Two lines serving the brickworks
Buckley Tramroad[21] 1780s 1862 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) Connah's Quay, Wales Early horse-worked plateway carrying coal and bricks from a canal wharf.
Butterley Brick Ltd. Cherry Orchard Lane Works[7][22] ? 1993 2 ft (610 mm) Rochford, England Short line serving the clay pit and brickworks.
Butterley Brick Ltd. Star Lane Brickworks[7] ? 1991 2 ft (610 mm) Great Wakering, England Short line serving the clay pit and brickworks.
Carbis Brickworks Tramway[23] 1883 1942 2 ft (610 mm) Bugle, England Hand and gravity worked line, 350 yards (320 m) long.
Castle Firebrick Company about 1865 after 1920 2 ft (610 mm) (?) Northrop, England Internal brickworks line, worked by steam locomotives after World War I.
Cattybrook Brickworks railway[1] before 1900 after 1975 2 ft 10+1⁄2 in (876 mm) Cattybrook, England Line connecting clay pit to brickworks via an incline and diesel worked sections
Chilton Trinity Brickworks railway[1] after 1962 2 ft (610 mm) Somerset, England Locomotive worked clay pit line
Crowborough Brickworks[3] before 1930 1980 2 ft (610 mm) Crowborough, England Internal line at the brickworks, latterly worked by battery-electric locomotives.
Coronation Brickworks[24] 1935 after 1969 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) Elstow, England London Brick Co Ltd brickworks near Bedford
Cuckmere Brickworks railway[25] ? about 1956 2 ft (610 mm) Berwick Station, England Clay pit line worked by internal combustion locomotives
DSF Refractories & Minerals Ltd, Friden Brickworks[7] after 1979 2 ft (610 mm) Hartington, England Brickworks line worked by internal combustion locomotives
Gatwick Brick Co. Ltd. Hookwood Brickworks[13] 1968 2 ft (610 mm) Gatwick, England 100-yard (91 m) long diesel locomotive worked line
George Jennings South Western Pottery[11] before 1937 1963 2 ft (610 mm) Parkstone, England Locomotive-worked line between the clay pit and the pottery
Gillingham Pottery, Brick & Tile Co. Ltd.[11] before 1901 1970 2 ft (610 mm) Parkstone, England Locomotive-worked line between the clay pit and the pottery
Goxhill Building Products Ltd. Barrow Haven Works[7] after 1979 2 ft (610 mm) Barrow Haven, England Brickworks line worked by internal combustion locomotives
Halstow Creek Brickworks before 1900 1920s 2 ft (610 mm) Lower Halstow, England Served claypit and brickworks. Originally horse worked, one of the first electric locomotives was introduced here in 1902.
Hambledon Lane Brickworks[22] ? after 1983 2 ft (610 mm) Nutbourne, England
Henry Oakland and Son Ltd. Escrick Tileworks[7] after 1979 2 ft (610 mm) York, England Internal locomotive-worked line
Innes Lee Industries Campbell Brickworks[7] by 1979 2 ft (610 mm) Staveley, England Brickworks line worked by internal combustion locomotives
Littlethorpe Potteries[26] present 450 mm (17+23⁄32 in) Littlethorpe, England 0.5-mile (0.8 km) long hand-worked line connecting the clay pits to the pottery[26]
The London Brick Company No. 2 Works[7] after 1979 3 ft (914 mm) Whittlesey, England Locomotive-worked brickworks railway
The London Brick Company Arlesey Works[7] after 1979 2 ft (610 mm) Bedford, England Short locomotive-worked line on top of clay kilns
The London Brick Company Clock House Works[13] after 1968 2 ft (610 mm), 2 ft 11 in (889 mm) and 3 ft 11 in (1,194 mm) Capel, England Electric and diesel locomotive worked lines
The London Brick Company Fletton Works[1] 1889? after 1960 2 ft 11 in (889 mm) Peterborough, England Claypit and brickworks line of unusual gauge
The London Brick Company Warboys Works[7][27] 1984 2 ft (610 mm) Warboys, England Locomotive-worked brickworks railway
Ludlay Brick & Tile Co.[3] ? 1965 2 ft (610 mm) Berwick, England Internal brick works railway at Berwick in Sussex.
Lytchett Brick Co. Ltd.[11] before 1901 after 1966 2 ft (610 mm) Upton, England Locomotive-worked line between the clay pit and the pottery
Manfield Brickworks[13] before 1955 after 1963 Cranleigh, England Diesel locomotive worked line, converted to cable haulage in 1955
Midhurst Whites[3] after 1913 1980 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) Midhurst, England Brickworks with three separate narrow gauge lines
Napton Brickworks railway[1] after 1961 16 in (406 mm) Napton, England Hand worked clay pit line
No. 5 Fireclay Mine railway[1] ? after 1968 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) Micklam, England Diesel locomotive worked line operated by the British Steel Corporation
North Holmwood Brickworks[13] ? 1981 2 ft (610 mm) Dorking, England Internal system for the Redland Brick Co.'s clay pit and brickworks using diesel, battery-electric and incline cable haulage
Nutbourne Brickworks[13] after 1980 2 ft (610 mm) Hambledon, Surrey, England Diesel locomotive worked line connecting the brickworks and clay pits
Ockley (Surrey) Brick, Tile and Pottery Company Smokejacks Brickworks[13] after 1968 2 ft (610 mm) Cranleigh, England Battery-electric and diesel locomotive worked line
Ospringe Brickworks railway[1] after 1968 2 ft (610 mm) Faversham, England Extremely short line with one diesel locomotive
Rookley Brickworks[14] 1972 2 ft (610 mm) Newport, England Diesel locomotive worked line in clay pit
Rosemary Brickworks railway ? after 1970 2 ft (610 mm) Cheslyn Hay, England Locomotive worked line in clay pit leading to an incline to the brickworks
Rowlands Castle Brickworks[14] before 1932 after 1964 2 ft (610 mm) Rowlands Castle, England Hand-worked line in clay pit leading to cable hauled incline to brickworks
Smithbrook Brickworks (1936) Ltd.[13] after 1965 2 ft (610 mm) Cranleigh, England Mainly hand-worked line, with occasional use of a Lister diesel locomotive
Standard Brick & Sand Co. Ltd. Holmethorpe Brickworks[13] before 1911 1963 2 ft (610 mm) Holmethorpe, England An extensive steam and diesel locomotive worked clay tramway
Strensall Brickworks railway[1] by 1975 Strensall, England Locomotive worked clay pit line
Storr Hill Brickworks railway[22][28] 1869? 1981 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) Wyke, England An unusual chain-worked double track plateway only 250 yards (229 m) long.
Swallow's Tiles (Cranleigh) Ltd.[13] before 1953 after 1966 2 ft (610 mm) Cranleigh, England Mainly hand-worked clay pit line with cable hauled incline, and occasional use of a diesel locomotive
Warnham Brickworks[3] before 1909 1965 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) Horsham, England Internal line serving the brickworks and clay pit.
W. H. Collier Marks Tey Brickworks[7] after 1979 20 in (508 mm) Marks Tey, England Internal locomotive-worked line serving the brickworks.
Wheatly and Co. Ltd. Springfield Tileries[7] after 1979 2 ft (610 mm) Stoke on Trent, England Locomotive-worked railway
William Blythe (company) Barton Brick & Tile Yard[7] after 1979 2 ft (610 mm) Barton-upon-Humber, England Locomotive-worked line
William Blythe Far Ings Tileries[7] after 1979 2 ft (610 mm) Barton-upon-Humber, England Locomotive-worked line
Woodside Brickworks[13] before 1949 by 1967 ? Croydon, England Internal brickworks railway notable for its two Sentinel high-pressure steam locos.

Clay extraction

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Name Opened Closed Gauge Location Notes
APCM Alkerden Works before 1900 1943 2 ft 8+1⁄2 in (825 mm) Swanscombe, England Large steam-worked clay pit line
BPCM Bean Works 1920 1964 2 ft (610 mm) Bean, Kent, England Short line serving a clay pit on the banks of the Thames
Bridgemarsh Brickfields Company 1870 1892 unknown Bridgemarsh Island, Essex, England Connected work to pier for transhipment onto Thames barges[29]
C.W. Powder Co. Ltd ? 1942 2 ft (610 mm) Treamble, Cornwall, England A works producing Fuller's earth using two Kerr, Stuart and Company 0-4-2 tank engines acquired from Dolcoath mine in 1903 and 1911.[30]
Far Ings Tileries[22] 1905 2001 2 ft (610 mm) Barton-upon-Humber, England Late survivor of the clay tramways, including a cable-hauled incline and (diesel) locomotive worked sections.
Fayle's Tramway[31] 1905 1971 3 ft 9 in (1,143 mm) until 1948
1 ft 11+1⁄2 in (597 mm) after 1948 		Norden, Dorset, England Clay tramway that replaced the Middlesbere and Newton tramways. Remaining section around Norden regauged in 1948 to suit ex-WHR locomotive Russell and various diesels
Furzebrook Railway[31][32] 1830 1968 4 ft (1,219 mm) until 1866

2 ft 8+1⁄2 in (825 mm) after 1866

Furzebrook, Dorset, England Horse-hauled clay plateway, replaced in 1866 by steam-hauled industrial railway serving the clay pits around Creech Heath.
John Knowles Ltd. Woodville Clay Pits 18 in (457 mm) Derbyshire, England
Laporte Industries Ltd. Coombe Hay Mines[7] after 1979 1 ft 11+1⁄2 in (597 mm) Bath, England Fuller's earth mine with battery electric locomotives
Middlebere Tramway[31] 1806 1907 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) (?) Norden, Dorset, England Horse-powered plateway serving clay pits near Corfe Castle.
Newton Tramway[31] 1860 (?) 1905 3 ft 9 in (1,143 mm) Poole Harbour, Dorset, England Originally opened as Horse-drawn tramway until locomotive Tiny introduced around the 1870s, became part of Fayle's Tramway
Pentewan Railway[23] 1829 1918 4 ft (1,219 mm), 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) after 1874 Pentewan, England Initially horse-hauled, worked by steam locomotives after 1874. Connected St Austell to Pentewan
Thomas Marshall & Co (Loxley) Ltd. Storrs Bridge Fireclay Mine[7] after 1979 16 in (406 mm) Loxley, England Locomotive-worked underground railway
Thakeham Tiles[3] before 1937 1982[5] 2 ft (610 mm) Storrington, England Short line serving the tile works
Watts Blake Bearne & Co. Ltd. West Golds Mine[7] after 1979 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) Newton Abbott, England Underground clay mine railway

China clay extraction

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In Britain large deposits of Kaolinite (commonly known as "china clay") were found in Cornwall. Many industrial railways, both narrow gauge and standard gauge, were built to serve the china clay quarries and mines of this area.

Name Opened Closed Gauge Location Notes
Beacon China Clay Kiln[23] 1928 1963 2 ft (610 mm) St Austell, England Tramway from the kilns to a loading wharf next to the Beacon siding on the standard gauge line from Drinnick Mill and Burngullow.
Blackpool China Clay Pit[23] after 1956 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) Trewoon, England Tramway from the clay pits to a tip.
Charlestown No. 1 China Clay Kiln[23] 1908 1960s 2 ft 4 in (711 mm) St Austell, England Two tramways running mainly in tunnels. Rails and wagons remain in the tunnels which were sealed when the kilns closed.
Hendra China Stone Quarry[23] 1860s after 1967 2 ft 3 in (686 mm) Nanpean, England Internal quarry tramway system with cable hauled inclines
Hendra Light Railway[23] 1919 1939 2 ft (610 mm) Nanpean, England 0.75-mile (1.2 km) long petrol locomotive worked railway connecting a loading wharf at the GWR to the Hendra china clay kilns.
Meeth Clay Company 1920 1970 2 ft (610 mm) Woolladon, England Short line carrying clay from the pits at Meeth. The first loco was an 0-6-0WT followed by a pair of Muir-Hill petrol locos and then a pair of Ruston & Hornsby diesel mechanical locos.[33]
Melbur China Clay Pit[23] 1920s ? 2 ft (610 mm) (?) St Stephen-in-Brannel, England Hand worked tramways
Pochins Tramway[23] 1880 1933 3 ft (914 mm) (?) Gothers, England Railway connecting the Gothers china clay works with the GWR. May have been 3 ft 1 in (940 mm) gauge. The last of the four steam locomotives was scrapped on site in 1953.
Quarry Close China Stone Works[23] 1863 1973 2 ft 3 in (686 mm) Nanpean, England A network of lines connecting several quarries to the GWR branch line from Drinnick Mill.
Redlake Tramway[23] 1911 1932 3 ft (914 mm) Dartmoor, England A steam hauled line commencing on the edge of nowhere and terminating right in the middle of it
Restowrack China Clay Kiln[23] 1907 1969 2 ft (610 mm) Treviscoe, England A hand-worked tramway from a loading wharf on the St. Dennis junction to Burngallow branch line into the kiln.
Tregargus China Stone Quarry[23] 1890s 1968 2 ft (610 mm) St Stephen-in-Brannel, England A network of lines and inclines connecting the quarry with six mills.
Wheal Remfry China Clay Pit[23] after 1910 Retew, England Horse worked internal tramway

Sand and gravel extraction

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The sand and gravel extraction industries made extensive use of narrow gauge railways, and several of these lasted into the 1980s – this was one of the last industries to make significant use of narrow gauge industrial railways in the UK.

Name Opened Closed Gauge Location Notes
Ace Sand and Gravel Co. Ltd. Marsh House quarries[7] by 1979 2 ft (610 mm) Aore, England Locomotive-worked line
Ballast Producers Ltd. Farnham Pits[13] before 1934 1952 2 ft (610 mm) Farnham, England Diesel locomotive worked line serving the gravel pits around Farnham
Bretts Faversham Sand Quarry railway[2] 1930s (?) 1969 (?) 2 ft (610 mm) Faversham, England Sand and gravel haulage
Bretts Sturry Gravel railway[2][7] ? after 1968, by 1979 2 ft (610 mm) Sturry, England Served gravel pits on the River Stour
Biddenham Gravel Pit railway[34] by 1920 1930s 2 ft (610 mm) Biddenham, England Short horse-worked line serving Biddenham gravel pit, near Bedford.
British Industrial Sand Ltd. Middleton Towers railway[35] 1977 2 ft (610 mm) Kings Lynn, England Extensive locomotive-worked sand quarry system. Five remaining diesel locomotives acquired by the LBLR in 1980.
Buckland Sand & Silica Co.[13] before 1934 after 1935 2 ft (610 mm) Reigate, England Short steam-hauled railway working sand from the pits to a private BR-worked siding
Croxden Gravel Ltd. Twelve Yards Road Pit[7] ? after 1979 2 ft (610 mm) Irlam, England Locomotive-worked line
Earls Barton sand quarry railway[1] after 1975 2 ft (610 mm) Earls Barton, England Small sand pit with internal locomotive worked line
East Sussex Transport and Trading Company[3] early 1930s 1964 2 ft (610 mm) Cuckmere Haven, England Hauled gravel extracted from the Cuckmere Haven beach to Exceat.
G.F.X Hartigan Ltd. Woad Farm Pits[36] 1933 1959 (dismantled 1962) 2 ft (610 mm) Newport Pagnell, England Line serving gravel pits on the River Great Ouse. Used four diesel-mechanical locomotives.
Hall & Co.[3] before 1938 late 1960s 2 ft (610 mm) Eastbourne, England Shingle extraction railway on The Crumbles.
Hall & Ham River Co. North Station Pits[14] before 1964 1970 2 ft (610 mm) Farnborough, England Gravel extraction railway using diesel locomotives, at least two of which went to the Brockham Museum after the line closed.
Ham River Grit Co. Ltd. Bletchingley Pits[13] after 1963 2 ft (610 mm) Redhill, England Steam and diesel locomotive worked line
Ham River Grit Co. Ltd. Ham Pits[13] before 1932 2 ft (610 mm) Kingston, England Steam locomotive worked line
Heavers Gravel[3] 1920s 1962 2 ft (610 mm) Drayton, England Internal gravel pit line
Hoveringham Gravels Ltd. Holme Pierrepont Pit[7] by 1979 2 ft (610 mm) Holme Pierrepont, England Internal gravel pit line
Hoveringham Gravels Ltd. Hoveringham Works[7] by 1979 2 ft (610 mm) Hoveringham, England
Inns & Co. Ltd. Farnborough Pits[13] before 1964 1967 2 ft (610 mm) Farnborough, England Diesel locomotive worked line
Inns & Co. Ltd. Savay Farm Gravel Pits[36] 1949 about 1964 2 ft (610 mm) Denham, England Diesel locomotive worked line, east of the River Colne
Kempston gravel pit railway 1910s about 1930 Probably 2 ft (610 mm) Kempston, Bedfordshire Short horse-drawn line connecting gravel pits by the River Great Ouse to the main road
Leighton Buzzard Light Railway 1919 1969 2 ft (610 mm) Leighton Buzzard, England Industrial railway that carried sand from the quarries around Leighton Buzzard
Marlow Sand and Gravel Co. Ltd. Westhorpe Pits[7] ? after 1979 2 ft (610 mm) Little Marlow, England Locomotive worked sand pit railway
Penfolds Ltd.[3] ? 1963 2 ft (610 mm) Eartham, England Gravel extraction line
Pentewan Dock & Concrete Company[23] 1939 1966 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) Pentewan, England Diesel locomotive worked line carrying sand from the shoreline dunes to the grading equipment. Used some of the trackbed of the earlier Pentewan Railway.
Piel & Walney Gravel Co. Ltd.[37] ? 1962 3 ft (914 mm) Barrow-in-Furness, England Steam locomotive operated gravel line running to a pier at Walney.
Pilkington Glass Mill lane siding[7] ? by 1979 2 ft 1⁄8 in (613 mm) Rainford, England Locomotive-worked line
Pilkington Glass St. Helens quarry railway[1] ? after 1968 2 ft (610 mm) St. Helens, England Temporary locomotive-worked railways used for sand extraction for glass making
Twickenham Gravel Company Waltham Cross Gravel Pits Railway[38] 1931 1964? 2 ft (610 mm) Waltham Cross, England Locomotive-worked railways connecting gravel pits and crushing plant
Thomas Patterson & Sons Weydon Hill sand pit[39] around 1919 2 ft (610 mm) Farnham, Surrey, England One of the first sand railways installed using ex-WDLR surplus equipment.

Stone quarrying and mining

[edit]

Slate

[edit]
Main article: British narrow gauge slate railways

The most well-known of the British industrial narrow gauge railways were those serving the slate industry of north Wales. Many of the quarries had internal tramways and feeder lines connecting them to transhipment points on local railways, rivers, roads or coastal ports.

Granite

[edit]
Name Opened Closed Gauge Location Notes
Bearah Tor Quarry ? late 1980s 2 ft (610 mm) Liskeard, England Short, hand worked internal quarry railway.
Brada Quarry railway[9] 1935 1950s 2 ft (610 mm) Bamburgh, England Internal quarry system; locomotive worked until 1944 by two Lister petrol locos
Carreg-y-Llam Quarry railway[9] before 1900 1963 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) and 2 ft (610 mm) Llithfaen, Wales Original locomotive-worked 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) internal railway removed in 1949, but a new 2 ft (610 mm) gauge line was installed in the mid-1950s.
Ceiriog Granite Quarries railway[9] 1914 1959 2 ft (610 mm) Criggion, Wales Internal quarry system worked by a single steam locomotive until 1921, when it was replaced by cable-haulage.
Charnwood Granite Quarries railway[9] 1850s 1963 2 ft (610 mm) Shepshed, England Early horse worked quarry system; steam locomotives introduced in the late 1890s, replaced by internal combustion locos in 1937.
Cliffe Hill Mineral Railway 1896 1948 2 ft (610 mm) Stanton under Bardon, England Hauled stone from the Cliffe Hill Granite Quarry.
Groby Granite Quarries railway[9] 1893 1943 2 ft (610 mm) Groby, England Extensive internal quarry system worked by five Hunslet steam locomotives.
Haytor Granite Tramway by 1824 1858 4 ft 3 in (1,295 mm) Dartmoor, England Horse-drawn tramway serving the granite quarries around Haytor. Used granite "setts" as rails.
Jee's Hartshill Granite Quarry[40] ? 1956? 2 ft 6+1⁄2 in (775 mm) Nuneaton, England Granite quarry with an extensive locomotive-worked tramway system.
Llanelwedd Granite Quarries railways[9] 1929 after 1969 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) and 2 ft (610 mm) Builth Wells, Wales Internal quarry system; the 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) gauge line was horse-worked and closed in 1953; the 2 ft (610 mm) gauge was hand-worked apart from between 1953 and 1961 when a Lister locomotive was used.
Lunedale Whinstone Company railway[41] 1878 around 1918 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) Mickleton, England Steam locomotive worked line connecting the quarry with a siding on the North Eastern Railway
Newcastle Granite and Whinstone Company[42] 1902 1939 1 ft 11+1⁄2 in (597 mm) Haltwhistle, England Locomotive worked line connecting Cawfields Quarry to Haltwhistle station
Penmaenbach Stone quarry tramway[18] 1875 1962 3 ft (914 mm) Penmaenmawr, Wales Smaller working beside the Penmaenmawr quarry with an internal tramway system and a series of inclines down to the coast.
Penmaenmawr & Welsh Granite Co.[18] 1830s 1967 3 ft (914 mm) Penmaenmawr, Wales Extensive steam-hauled internal railway system in granite quarry complex.
Tonfanau quarry tramway[43] 1892 1998 ? Tonfanau, Wales
Trefor Quarry railway 1850 1962 1 ft 11+1⁄2 in (597 mm) Llanaelhaearn, Wales Internal quarry railway, with large incline to a steam locomotive worked pier branch

Other stone

[edit]
Name Opened Closed Gauge Location Notes
Basset mines Ltd 1896 1918 20 in (508 mm) Redruth, Cornwall, England Three lines linking the shaft to the two stamps. An 0-4-0WT by Orenstein & Koppel worked the line throughout its existence.[44]
Cloughfold to Ding Quarry tramway[45] 1867 1920 3 ft (914 mm) Cloughfold, England Extensive tramway system serving the Brow Edge, Great Height, Ding and Hurdles sandstone quarries. Used at least one steam locomotive.
Downhead Basalt Quarry[11] by 1904 1925 2 ft (610 mm) Downhead, England Steam locomotive worked quarry line
East Cornwall Mineral Railway[23][46] 1872 1891/1908 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Callington, England Early steam-worked railway serving the iron ore and stone quarries around Callington.
Harecrag Quarry railway[1] 1969 2 ft (610 mm) Shilbottle, England Roadstone quarry operated by Northumberland County Council operated by six Hunslet diesel locomotives.
Hall Fold to Walstead Clough tramway[47] After 1844 By 1912 Approximately 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) Haslingden, England Horse- and locomotive- worked tramway linking the sandstone quarries of Thurns Head, Ragstone Brow and Ab Top
Ingleton Granite Quarry Tramway 1887 1930s ?3 ft (914 mm)? Chapel le Dale, England Steam-drawn tramway and rope-hauled incline built to transport Silurian gritstone, known locally as "Ingleton granite", down the valley to Ingleton
Levant Mine Pre-1820 1930 15 in (381 mm) St Just in Penwith, Cornwall, England A line laid in the long underground gallery experimentally used an 0-2-2WT by A. Bickle of Plymouth in 1892.[48]
Lochaline quartz sand mine railway[49] 1943 1963 ?2 ft 4 in (711 mm)? Lochaline, Scotland Diesel worked railway linking the sandstone mine at Lochaline with a pier on the Sound of Mull
Long Rake Spar mine[7] after 1979 17 in (432 mm) Youlgreave, England Underground aggregates mine railway operated by battery-electric locomotives.
Lyke Wake Moor Tramway Around 1915 1930s ? Osmotherley, England Horse-hauled tramway running one and a half miles from a ganister quarry on Lyke Wake Moor to sidings on the main line near Beacon Howe, via a self-acting incline. Some rails and sleepers still in situ in 2003.
Monks Park Mine[50] before 1991[51] present 750 mm (2 ft 5+1⁄2 in) Corsham, England Bath stone underground mine. Surface lines were locomotive worked until 1991[51]
Musbury Height Tramway[52] 1877 mid 1920s 3 ft (914 mm) Haslingden, England Long locomotive-worked tramway serving a sandstone quarry, reached by a long incline. Also known as the "Haslingden Grane Tramway"
Penlee Quarry railway[7][9][23] about 1900 1972 2 ft (610 mm) Newlyn, England Aggregate quarry served by England's most westerly railway and one of the last industrial narrow gauge railways to operate. Used both steam and diesel locomotives.
St. Keverne & Associated Quarries[23] 1912 1958 2 ft (610 mm) Porthoustock, England Roadstone quarries connected by a network of railways. At least two lightweight Lister locomotives and several cable inclines were used.
Sidmouth Harbour Railway 1836 1838 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Sidmouth, England To quarry stone for an intended harbour at Sidmouth, that never came to fruition.
Stepper Point Quarry 1918 1948 2 ft (610 mm)[53] Stepper Point, England Exploiting a previous quarry working for roadstone. Used an 0-4-0 locomotive to move stone from the crusher to a schute that supplied barges.[54]
Titterstone Clee Hill Quarry railway[9] before 1910 1952 3 ft (914 mm) Ludlow, England Dhustone quarry with an internal horse worked railway; steam locomotive worked from 1910. Included a 1 mile long incline
Tregongeeves Quarry[23] 1931 1961 2 ft (610 mm) St. Mewan, England Roadstone quarry with cable incline and three petrol locomotives.
West of England Quarry[7] by 1979 2 ft (610 mm) St. Keverne, England Aggregates quarry with a short locomotive-worked line
Woodsmith Mine Tunnel c. 2021 Still open 900 mm (2 ft 11+7⁄16 in) North Yorkshire, England Links Woodsmith Mine polyhalite operation with export terminal on Teesside[55][56]

Coal

[edit]
  • Little Eaton Gangway
    Little Eaton Gangway

The British coal mining industry made extensive use of narrow gauge railways, particularly underground where the restricted size of the tunnels meant that narrow gauge lines were and are particularly well suited. Many National Coal Board (NCB) mines used railways both underground and in the stock yards above ground. There were also many short lines at private mines, particularly in south Wales and the Forest of Dean regions.

Name Opened Closed Gauge Location Notes
Ayle Colliery[7] 1932 open 2015 2 ft (610 mm), 2 ft 6 in (762 mm), 19+1⁄2 in (495 mm), 1 ft 10 in (559 mm)[57] Alston, England Private colliery with locomotive-worked mine railway.
Bryn Oer Tramway[58][59] 1815 1865 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Talybont on Usk, Wales Early horse-drawn tramway
Copeland District Council Wellington Colliery[57] after 1987 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) Whitehaven Harbour, England Private colliery with preserved locomotive
Coventry Colliery 1911 1991 2 ft (610 mm) Keresley, England
Deep Navigation Colliery 1872 1991 2 ft (610 mm) Treharris, South Wales
Doe Lee Colliery[7] before 1979 Out of use by 1987[57] 2 ft (610 mm) Chesterfield, England Underground locomotive worked mine railway
Flow Edge Colliery[7] before 1979 by 1987[57] 1 ft 10 in (559 mm)[57] Alston, England Small battery-electric locomotive worked mine railway
Foxcote Colliery[11] 1890 1931 2 ft 8+1⁄2 in (825 mm) Chilcompton, England Steam locomotive worked tramway
Gleision Colliery 1980 ? 2 ft (610 mm) Between Godre'r Graig and Cilybebyll, South Wales
Hope Level Mine ? 1988 ? Stanhope, England Small mine operation with loco-worked railway
Huish Colliery[11] after 1824 1912 Radstock, England Internal tramway
Kilmersdon Colliery[11] before 1886 1973 2 ft 8+1⁄2 in (825 mm) Radstock, England Internal tramway
Little Eaton Gangway[60] 1795 1908 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Little Eaton, England Very early horse-drawn tramway serving the collieries north of Derby
Lower Writhlington Colliery[11] 1867 1973 2 ft 8+1⁄2 in (825 mm) Chilcompton, England Steam locomotive worked tramway
Mendip Shaft[11] ? 1968 2 ft 9 in (838 mm) Chilcompton, England Private colliery with surface and underground tramway
Moorside Mining[51] ? 1992 1 ft 10 in (559 mm) Eckington, Derbyshire, England Private colliery, purchased twelve battery electric locomotives from South Crofty mine in 1992
NCB BatesColliery[61] 1986 Blyth, England Diesel locomotive worked underground colliery system
NCB Berwick Drift Stockyard ? 2005 3 ft (914 mm) Lynemouth, England One of several locomotive-worked stock yard railways in the British coal industry.
NCB Clockburn Drift Mine railway[1] ? after 1968 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) County Durham, England Substantially built double-track line for coal haulage from the main mine adit.
NCB Gascoigne Wood Colliery railway[62] ? ? 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) South Milford, England Underground mine railway
NCB Harworth Colliery railway[62] ? ? 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) Bircotes, England Underground mine railway
NCB Hentley Training Centre[51] ? 1991 3 ft (914 mm) Hentley, England Test incline and locomotive worked lines
NCB Kellingley Colliery railway[62] ? ? 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) Kellingley, England Underground mine railway
NCB Kellingley Training Centre railway[62] ? ? 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) Kellingley, England Mine training railway
NCB Lewis Merthyr Colliery railway[1] ? 1983 2 ft 10+1⁄2 in (876 mm) Rhondda, Wales Stock yard line worked by diesel locomotives
NCB Parkside Colliery railway[1] ? after 1972 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) Newton-le-Willows, England Stock yard line worked by diesel locomotives
NCB Prince of Wales Colliery railway[62] ? ? 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) Pontefract, England Underground mine railway
NCB Riccall Colliery railway[62] ? ? 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) Riccall, England Underground mine railway
NCB Stillingfleet Colliery railway[62] ? ? 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) Stillingfleet, England Underground mine railway
NCB Tilmanston Colliery[61] 1986 2 ft (610 mm) Eythorne, England Modern underground colliery system
NCB Wentworth Drift Mine railway[63] 1947 1955 2 ft (610 mm) Wentworth, England Locomotive-worked surface and underground railway system
NCB Wistow Colliery railway[62] ? ? 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) Wistow, England Underground mine railway
New Peacock Hay Colliery railway[1] ? ? 1 ft 10 in (559 mm) Harecastle, England Cable-hauled incline from a small private coal mine
New Rock Colliery[11] 1968 2 ft 8+1⁄2 in (825 mm) Chilcompton, England Internal tramway
Norton Hill Colliery[11] 1966 2 ft 4 in (711 mm) Midsomer Norton, England Surface and underground tramways
Pensford Colliery[11] 1910 1957 2 ft (610 mm) Pensford, England Mile long railway connecting the colliery to Bromley station. Initially steam locomotive worked, later cable hauled.
Pentwyn No.3 Mine[22] ? after 1994 2 ft (610 mm) Ystalyfera, Wales One of the last coal mines using pit ponies on a railway.
Saundersfoot Railway[64] 1829 1939 4 ft (1,219 mm) Saundersfoot, Wales Early industrial railway hauling coal.
Severn & Wye Railway 1801 1869 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Forest of Dean, England Coal and iron hauling tramway, eventually replaced by a broad gauge line.
Tranent to Cockenzie Waggonway 1722 1880 3 ft 3 in (991 mm) East Lothian, Scotland Built to carry coal from mines at Tranent to salt pans at Cockenzie and later to the harbour at Port Seton. The original wooden rails were replaced with iron in 1816 and the line was converted to standard gauge in 1880.
Weardale Minerals ? 1988 2 ft (610 mm) Cambokeels, England Colliery railway
Weardale Mining and Processing ? 1988 2 ft (610 mm) West Blackdene, England Colliery railway

Peat extraction

[edit]
Name Opened Closed Gauge Location Notes
Country Kitchen Foods Lindow Moss railway[57] ? after 1987 2 ft (610 mm) Wilmslow, England Peat moss tramway using diesel locomotives.
Cumberland Moss Litter railway[1][7] after 1979 2 ft (610 mm) Wigton, England Extremely lightly laid temporary lines for peat extraction
Eden Park Nurseries 1987 ? 2 ft (610 mm) Wark Forest, England A relatively new narrow gauge industrial railway.
Haversham House Farm railway[1] ? ? 2 ft (610 mm) Lancaster, England Turf farm railway
Joseph Metcalf Ltd.[22] ? 1999 ? 2 ft (610 mm) Irlam, England Lightly laid peat tramway using modern diesel locomotives.
L&P Ltd. Creca Moss[65] ? Present? 2 ft (610 mm) Annan, Scotland Peat extraction line
L&P Ltd. Letham Moss[25] ? Present ? 2 ft (610 mm) Airth, Scotland Peat extraction line
L&P Ltd. Nutberry Works[65] ? Present ? 2 ft (610 mm) Eastriggs, Scotland Peat extraction line near Gretna Green.
Lenzie Peat Railway ? 1966[66] 2 ft (610 mm) Lenzie, Scotland Works owned by the Peat Development Co Ltd.[67] Worked by Lister petrol locomotives, works numbers 26286 of 1944 and 29890 of 1946[68]
Moodiesburn Peat Works railway[1] ? ? 2 ft (610 mm) Glenboig, Scotland Locomotive worked line a few hundred yards long
Richardson's Peat Work railway[7][62] ? after 1979 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) Longtown, England Peat tramway in Cumbria.
Fisons Ltd. Cumbria Peat Works[57] after 1979 after 1987 2 ft (610 mm) Kirkbride, England Locomotive-worked peat railway.
Fisons Ltd. Eclipse Peat Works[7][11] 1922 after 1979 2 ft (610 mm) Meare, England Locomotive-worked peat railway.
Fisons Ltd. Hatfield Peat Works[69] 1890s 2006 3 ft (914 mm) Hatfield, England Some 8 miles (13 km) of permanent track prior to closure.[70]
Fisons Ltd. Swinefleet Peat Works[7][69] 1890s 2002 3 ft (914 mm) Goole, England Peat works railway employing at least 11 internal combustion locomotives. Two new Schoma locomotives delivered in 1989[51]
Solway Moss railway[62] ? after 1987[57] 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) Cumbria, England Peat tramway with at least 10 4wDM locomotives on site in 1987
George Watson & Sons Middlemuir peat railway[51] approx. 1949 1989 2 ft (610 mm) Fraserburgh, Scotland Peat tramway with three Lister locomotives in 1989
White Moss Peat Co. Ltd. Simonswood Moss[7] after 1979 2 ft (610 mm) Kirkby, England Locomotive-worked line
White Moss Peat Co. Ltd. White Moss Works railway 1958 2 ft (610 mm) Alsager, England Very lightweight line of less than 1 mile length; worked using Lister locomotives
William Sinclair Horticultural Auchencorth Moss railway[62] ? ? 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) Leadburn, Scotland
William Sinclair Horticultural Bolton Fell railway[7][25] ? Present 2 ft (610 mm) Hethersgill, England Lightly laid, locomotive worked peat extraction line.
William Sinclair Horticultural Cladence Moss railway[22][62] 1998 Present 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) East Kilbride, Scotland Lightly laid, locomotive worked peat extraction line.
William Sinclair Horticultural Ryflat Moss railway[62] late 1990s Present ? 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) Strathclyde, Scotland
William Sinclair Horticultural Springfield Moss railway[62] ? ? 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) Leadburn, Scotland
Wilmslow Peat Farm railway[7][25] before 1979 2000 2 ft (610 mm) Wilmslow, England Locomotive-worked peat tramway near Manchester

Other mineral extraction

[edit]
Name Opened Closed Gauge Location Notes
Blue Circle Industries Ltd. Kilvington Gypsum Works[7] after 1979 3 ft (914 mm) Newark, England Locomotive-worked railway.
British Gypsum Mines Ltd. Gotham Works[7] after 1979 2 ft 2 in (660 mm) Gotham, Nottinghamshire, England Underground locomotive-worked railway.
British Gypsum Mines Ltd. Mountfield Works[25] 1945 after 1966 2 ft (610 mm) Mountfield, England Inclined adit and works railway.
British Steel Corporation Beaumont Fluor Mine[7] after 1979 2 ft (610 mm) Allenheads, England Underground locomotive-worked fluor mine.
British Steel Corporation Blackdene Fluor Mine[7] after 1979 2 ft (610 mm) Ireshopeburn, England Underground locomotive-worked fluor mine.
British Steel Corporation Blanchland Fluor Mines[7] after 1979 2 ft (610 mm) Ireshopeburn, England Underground locomotive-worked fluor mine.
Hagdale Chromate Railway 1907 1937 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) Isle of Unst, Scotland Remote line hauling chromite from quarries to a pier on Balta Sound. Worked by gravity and horse-power.
J. Parish Loam works[6] 1849 1957 4 ft (1,219 mm) Erith, England Steam locomotive hauled railway moving loam for metal casting molds.
Laporte Industries Ltd. Ladywash Mine[7] after 1987[57] 18 in (457 mm) Eyam, England Underground fluorite mine with locomotive worked railway
Laporte Industries Ltd. Sallet Hole Mine[7] after 1987[57] 2 ft (610 mm) Stoney Middleton, England Underground fluorite mine with locomotive worked railway
Laporte Industries Ltd. Watersaw Rake Mine[57] after 1987 2 ft (610 mm) Stoney Middleton, England Underground mine with battery electric locomotive worked railway
Lealt Valley Diatomite Railway 1890 1915 2 ft (610 mm) Isle of Skye, Scotland Remote line hauling "diatomic earth" which was used in the manufacture of dynamite. Steam worked for a short while.
Scropton Tramway[71] 1889 1949 3 ft (914 mm) Scropton, England Steam hauled tramway serving Gypsum mines south of Scropton station.

Metal mining

[edit]

Tin, lead and zinc

[edit]
  • Snailbeach Lead Mine
    Snailbeach Lead Mine
Name Opened Closed Gauge Location Notes
Ardda Tramway[18] 1853 1864 probably 2 ft (610 mm) Dolgarrog, Wales Iron sulphide mine with 1 mile long tramway
Athole G. Allen Ltd. Closehouse Barytes Mine[7] after 1979 2 ft (610 mm) and
19+1⁄2 in (495 mm) 		Middleton-in-Teesdale, England Locomotive-worked barytes mine.
Basset Mines Tramway[23] before 1907 1918 20 in (508 mm) Redruth, England Steam locomotive worked line connecting the West Basset Mine and the stamps at Carnike
Botallack Mine[23] before 1864 800 mm (2 ft 7+1⁄2 in) St Just, England 300-yard surface line and cliff-side inclines into the mine.
Cae-Coch Mine railway[18] 1860 1919 unknown Trefriw, Wales Tramway serving a remote iron sulphide mine
Camborne Mines Ltd. Pendarves Mine[7] after 1979 600 mm (1 ft 11+5⁄8 in) Camborne, England Underground railway serving the Pendarves tin mine
Carrock Fell mine[7] after 1979 2 ft (610 mm) Mungrisdale, England Lead mine with a single battery-electric locomotive
Cononish Farm Mine railway[25] ? Present? 2 ft (610 mm) Tyndrum, Scotland Mine railway in intermittent use.
Cornwall Tin and Mining Corporation Mount Wellington Mine[7] by 1979 2 ft (610 mm) Twelveheads, Cornwall, England Underground Tin mine
Cornish Hush Mine railway[1] ? Late 1970s 2 ft (610 mm) Bishop Auckland, Scotland Railway at a Fluorspar mine, operated by a battery electric locomotive
Force Crag Mine Ltd. Braithwaite Barytes Mine[7][72] after 1987[57] 2 ft (610 mm)[57] Keswick, England Railway at a Barytes mine, operated by a battery electric locomotive
Frongoch Lead Mine before 1903[57] unknown Ceredigion, Wales Tramway at a Lead Zinc mine
Geevor Tin Mines Ltd. Pendeen Mine[7][23] 1911 1991 18 in (457 mm) St Just, England Extensive underground tin mine railway. Part of the site, with reinstated tramway, has been reopened as the Geevor Tin Mines Museum.
Glenn Sannox Railway[73] around 1900 late 1940s unknown Sannox, Arran Incline and pier railway serving a barytes mine.
Great Laxey Mines Railway by 1854 1929 19 in (483 mm) Laxey, Isle of Man Lead, zinc and silver mines with steam locomotive worked railway by the Laxey Wheel.
Mineral Industries Ltd. Scraithole Mine[7][74] after 1979, by 2003 18 in (457 mm) Nenthead, England Zinc mine with underground locomotive-worked railway
Parc Mine tramway[18] 1951 after 1960 2 ft (610 mm) Trefriw, Wales Lead mines with extensive underground locomotive-hauled railway system.
Rosevale Historical Mining Company[23] 1974 present 2 ft (610 mm) and 18 in (457 mm) Zennor, England Newly re-opened tin mine using battery-electric locomotives
Snailbeach District Railways[64] 1873 1961 2 ft 3+3⁄4 in (705 mm) or 2 ft 4 in (711 mm) Snailbeach, England Served the lead and other mineral mines around Snailbeach.
South Crofty Mine[7][23] 1900 1998 1 ft 10 in (559 mm) and 18 in (457 mm) Camborne, England Extensive tin mine with internal railway. The mine was re-opened in 2001 although currently without the use of railway transport.
Swiss Aluminium Mining (UK) Ltd. Burtree Pasture Mine[7] after 1979 2 ft (610 mm) Cowshill, England Fluorite mine using battery-electric locomotives
Swiss Aluminium Mining (UK) Ltd. Cambokeels Mine[7] after 1979 600 mm (1 ft 11+5⁄8 in) Stanhope, England Fluorite mine using battery-electric locomotives
Swiss Aluminium Mining (UK) Ltd. Redburn Mine[7] after 1979 2 ft (610 mm) Stanhope, England Fluorite mine using battery-electric locomotives
Swiss Aluminium Mining (UK) Ltd. Stanhope Burn Mine[7] after 1979 2 ft (610 mm) Stanhope, England Fluorite mine using battery-electric locomotives
Weardale Fluorspar Ltd. Frasers Grove Mine[51] after 1989 2 ft (610 mm) County Durham, England Fluorspar mine with at least 15 battery electric locomotives on site in 1989
Wheal Jane Ltd. Clemo's Shaft[7] 1965 1992 2 ft (610 mm) Baldhu, England Locomotive-worked Cornish tin mine.
Wheal Pendarves Ltd. Wheal Pendarves mine[57] after 1987 600 mm (1 ft 11+5⁄8 in) Camborne, England Locomotive-worked Cornish tin mine.
Willoughby Mine Tramway[18] 1877 1914 1 ft 10 in (559 mm) Trefriw, Wales Tramway serving lead and zinc mine. An early (1904) Kerr Stuart locomotive worked here.

Iron

[edit]

Mainly ironstone quarries

  • Russell that ran at the Brymbo Ironstone Railway
    Russell that ran at the Brymbo Ironstone Railway
  • Peckett metre gauge locomotive from the Wellingborough Iron Company tramway
    Peckett metre gauge locomotive from the Wellingborough Iron Company tramway
Name Opened Closed Gauge Location Notes
British Steel Corporation Beckermet Ore Mine railway[1][citation needed] after 1979 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) Beckermet, England Underground mine railway.
Brymbo Ironworks railway[75] 1899 1946 1 ft 11+1⁄2 in (597 mm) Hook Norton, England Major ironstone quarry and calcination works served by a steam-hauled railway.
Colton Iron Ore Mine[11] 1880? 2 ft (610 mm) Brendon Hill, England Steam locomotive worked tramway connecting the iron ore mine with the West Somerset Mineral Railway
Eastwell Quarries[1] 1880s (?) 1958 3 ft (914 mm) Eastwell, Leicestershire, England Extensive system of steam-hauled lines with a cable-hauled incline.
Waltham Iron Ore Tramway 1884[76] 1958 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) Eaton, Leicestershire, England System of tramways connecting the pits of the Waltham Iron Company to the Great Northern Railway's Eaton Branch Railway.
Finedonhill Tramway[77] 1874 late 1940s 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) Finedon, England Cable-hauled ironstone quarry tramway
Florence Iron Ore Mine railway[62] ? after 1987[57] 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) Egremont, England Underground mine tramway worked by battery-electric locomotives
Grinkle Mine Tramway[78] 1875 1930 3 ft (914 mm) Roxby and Port Mulgrave, North Yorkshire 3 miles (4.8 km) tramway connecting mine with harbour at Port Mulgrave
Irchester Quarries railway 1871 1884 3 ft 8+1⁄4 in (1,124 mm) Irchester, England Early ironstone quarry system using one steam locomotive.
Irthlingborough Quarries railway[1] after 1958 3 ft (914 mm) Irthlingborough, England Underground mines using electric locomotives with a double-track adit to the surface
Kettering Ironstone Railway[32][79] 1879 1962[79] 3 ft (914 mm) Kettering, England Extensive system of steam-hauled lines serving the ironstone quarries west of Kettering.
Midland Brick Quarries after 1901 by 1940 2 ft (610 mm) Wellingborough, England Small hand-worked ironstone quarry line
Myers Burn Mine 1985 1988 ? Eaglesham, Scotland Small iron pyrites mine with underground railway system.
Rosedale Branch ? converted to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Raasay Iron Mines 1915 1919 2 ft 3 in (686 mm) Raasay, off Skye, Inner Hebrides, Scotland Electric-powered cable haulage connecting mine to pier[80][81]
Scaldwell Ironstone Quarries[32] 1963 3 ft (914 mm) Brixworth, England Steam locomotive worked connecting the ironstone quarry south of Scaldwell to the British Rail branch to Lamport
South Hill Farm Quarries[77] 1912 about 1926 probably 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) Finedon, England Locomotive worked ironstone quarry tramway connected to Finedonhill Tramway
Neilson's Tramway[77] 1881 1929 2 ft 4 in (711 mm) Finedon, England Cable-hauled tramway with horse-worked upper section, to the Thingdon Mines
Tir Stent mine[82] pre-1861[82] 1913 ?[82] 18 in (457 mm)[82] Dolgelley, Wales[82] Horse worked iron ore mine tramway
Wellingborough Tramway[32][77] 1874 1966 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) Finedon, England The last narrow gauge steam hauled ironstone railway in England. There were also 2 ft 4 in (711 mm) gauge feeder lines at the quarries, latterly worked by diesel locos.

Gold

[edit]
Name Opened Closed Gauge Location Notes
Clogau mine 1880s Present 2 ft (610 mm) Bontddu Wales Hand-worked gold mine railway, in intermittent use
Gwynfynydd mine Present 2 ft (610 mm) Dolgellau Wales Hand-worked gold mine railway, in intermittent use

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x Nicholson, Peter (1975). Industrial Narrow Gauge Railways in Britain. Bradford, Barton. ISBN 0-85153-236-5.
  2. ^ a b c d Mitchell, Vic & Smith, Keith (2000). Kent Narrow Gauge. Middleton Press. ISBN 1-901706-45-1.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Mitchell, Vic & Smith, Keith (2001). Sussex Narrow Gauge. Middleton Press. ISBN 1-901706-68-0.
  4. ^ Leleux, Sydney A. (April 1971). "Industrial Railways of Bedfordshire: Sundon Cement Works". The Industrial Railway Record. 36: 31–36.
  5. ^ a b "Amberley narrow gauge railway stock list". Archived from the original on 7 October 2006.
  6. ^ a b Haterhill, Ann & Hatherhill, Gordon (2004). Narrow Gauge & Industrial Album. RCL Publications. ISBN 0-9538763-5-7.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg Industrial Locomotives 1979: including preserved and minor railway locomotives. Industrial Railway Society. 1979. ISBN 0-901096-38-5.
  8. ^ Trevor Rowe, D (1990). Two Feet between the Tracks. Plateway Press. ISBN 1-871980-12-7.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Farmer, Keith (August 1968). "Amalgamated Roadstone". Industrial Railway Record. 20. Industrial Railway Society: 269–281/288.
  10. ^ Webb, Brian (1973). The British Internal Combustion Locomotive 1894–1940. David & Charles. ISBN 0715361155.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Mitchell, Vic & Smith, Keith (2006). Dorset and Somerset Narrow Gauge. Middleton Press. ISBN 1-904474-76-4.
  12. ^ "Black Rock & Nightingale Quarries". Archived from the original on 1 October 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Mitchell, Vic & Smith, Keith (2003). Surrey Narrow Gauge including South London. Middleton Press. ISBN 1-901706-87-7.
  14. ^ a b c d e f Mitchell, Vic & Smith, Keith (2004). Hampshire Narrow Gauge including the Isle of Wight. Middleton Press. ISBN 1-904474-36-5.
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Bibliography

[edit]
  • Stoyel, B.D. & Kidner R.W. (1973). The Cement Railways of Kent. The Oakwood Press. ISBN 0-85361-370-2.
  • Talbot, Edward; Taylor, Clive (2005). The Crewe Works Narrow Gauge System (2nd ed.). Croydon, Surrey: The London & North Western Railway Society. ISBN 0954695119.
  • Tonks, Eric (May 1990). The Ironstone Quarries of the Midlands Part 4: The Wellingborough Area. Cheltenham: Runpast Publishing. ISBN 1-870-754-042.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: year (link)
  • Narrow Gauge News, the journal of the Narrow Gauge Railway Society
[edit]
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