This image shows the Emsworthy junction and switchplate near Emsworthy rocks on the Haytor Tramway on Dartmoor. The Hay Tor Granite Tramway was opened in September 1820. The switchplate enabled trams to be diverted to another track. Granite was also becoming increasingly popular as a building stone for important projects and Hay Tor granite was seen as a quality product. The tramway runs from Hay Tor Down for around 10 miles to the Stover Canal at Ventiford. Here the granite blocks were transferred to barges for carriage to Teignmouth where they were once again transferred to ships. Over this 10 miles, the tramway drops 1300 ft. There is now a walk along the length of the tramway and Stover canal with which it links named the Templer way, after the Templer family who built both the tramway and canal.

Boddy Collection