This is the twentieth item from Robert Dymond’s book: “Things New and Old Concerning the Parish of Widecombe-in-the-Moor and its Neighbourhood” (1876)
OPENING OF THE GRANDFATHER OF DEVONSHIRE RAILWAYS
IT is a singular fact that the two railways which long preceded all those since constructed in this county should have been connected with the least civilized portion of its area. One of these works was formed between Plymouth and Prince Town, but the priority in date belongs to that constructed by the late George Templer, Esq., then owner of Stover Park, where he resided. It connects the terminus of the Stover Canal at Teigngrace with the granite quarries on HayTor, and was used for the transport of the blocks of which London Bridge was built. The competition of the Cornish quarries, with their better facilities of carriage to the ship-side, has proved too strong for our ancient friend, and the ‘Haytor’ railway is almost, if not entirely disused. No iron is employed in the work, the rail or tram-way consisting simply of blocks of granite laid end to end and having a half-groove chiselled out for the guidance of the waggon wheels, the tires of which were not flanged as the practice now is.The course of the ‘line is somewhat circuitous, but considering that in its short length it had to attain an elevation of about 1,200 feet, the gradients are managed with considerable skill, by creeping up the sides of the hill and thus avoiding cuttings and embankments. On the 16th of September, 1820, a grand fete was given by Mr. Templer on Haytor Down, to celebrate the completion of his spirited undertaking. From Bovey Tracey a long procession of carriages, waggons, and horses trailed up the steep road, enlivened by bands of music, and decorated with flags and evergreens. Other places contributed their share of the visitors, who partook of a collation provided by the bountiful host on Haytor. Among the company were Lord and LadyClifford, from Ugbrooke ; Mr. Bastard, from Buckland ; Sir Thomas Dyke Acland; Sir Henry Carew came from Haccombe ; and Sir Lawrence Palk from Haldon, besides many other county magnates from other parts. After a speech by Mr. Templer, there were high jinks and dances on the turf. “ Never,” writes the ecstatic reporter of an Exeter paper, “ was Haytor’s sod graced with such blooming fair ones, nor did it ever before display so festive a scene.”