Plym Bridge to Cann Viaduct

The valley of the River Plym northwards from Plymbridge is of great interest.


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This blog traces the route of the Cann Quarry Canal, the Cann Quarry Railway and the standard gauge line from Plymouth to Tavistock and beyond.

Both the Cann Quarry railway and canal pass under the GWR branch at the start and keeps between it and the river until Cann Viaduct.



At the start are a few reminders of mining for lead that took place in the valley.



This is believed to be the adit of Boringdon Park Mine.





This is the remains of Cann or Canal mine which was worked about 1824 - 25. The shaft lies between the canal and the river as does the remains of the engine house.







The Cann quarry Railway was a branch of the Plymouth and Dartmoor Railway. The iron rails were carried on slate sleepers, many of which can still be seen. This was built to 4ft 6in gauge and used horses.



As it nears the quarry there is this concrete duct. The canal ends before the quarry.

The other railway was built by the South Devon and Tavistock (later to be taken over by the GWR) railway to the broad gauge, indeed at one point a third rail was built to allow standard gauge trains of the LSWR to transverse the branch.





There are many remains of the standard gauge railway to be seen.



Approaching the Cann viaduct this over bridge shows the width required by the broad gauge.



Beyond the bridge are the Railway Cottages.









Finally the Cann viaduct comes into view.



The structure that stands today was built 1905 - 1907 from blue Staffordshire brick and replaced the original timber built viaduct. The original piers and approach lines can still be seen.





The viaduct is 127 yards long and is 63ft high. Quite an imposing structure when you see the size of the River Plym below !







Up stream is the weir that fed the Cann Quarry water wheels.







Entering the quarry below the viaduct.









Nowadays the viaduct gives superb views of a pair of Peregrine Falcons that nest on the quarry face. A pair were in residence when I saw both on th March 2008.



http://www.plym-peregrines.co.uk/plymbridge.html