The branch line to St Ives was the last stretch of line to
be built to the GWR’s 7 foot, broad gauge. It opened in 1877 and then, after a
short time as a dual system, it was standard gauge only from 1892. It is well
known as one of the most scenic of Britain’s railways, in spite of its only
being four and a quarter miles long.
Soon after leaving St Erth, it is close enough to the side
of the Hayle estuary to be able to identify some of the wading birds feeding on
the mud banks at low tide. Climbing to overlook the sea from a higher vantage
point, the line effectively perches on a ledge cut into the hillside above
Carbis Bay, a position it keeps for the approach to St Ives, itself. How
inviting the beach at Portminster looks from the carriage window, with its
bright yellow sand and ocean blue.
Because there were no youth hostels in St Ives, we did not
actually stay there until July 1971, when we travelled down by train. We took
our own children there in the early 80s, returning again last year with our
first two grandchildren. It’s still a wonderful holiday resort. The fact that
it retains its rail links just adds to the overall enjoyment – for some of us,
anyway.
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