Lappa Valley Railway
Lappa Valley is a miniature railway and family attraction near Newquay in Cornwall, set in 35 acres at the site of the historic East Wheal Rose lead mine. The principal line is 15 in gauge, running for about a mile from Benny Halt to East Wheal Rose on the trackbed of the former Great Western Railway Treamble mineral branch.
The site uniquely combines three working gauges, a 15 in main line, a 7¼ in shuttle, and a 10¼ in branch line, alongside lakeside walks, a 1928-listed mine engine house, crazy golf and other family attractions. The combination has made it a long-established Cornish family destination.
History
The miniature railway opened in 1974 on the closed GWR Treamble branch trackbed, conceived as a tourist attraction at the historic East Wheal Rose mine site. Additional smaller-gauge lines and family attractions have been added in subsequent decades.
Original line history
The standard-gauge Treamble branch was opened in 1849 by the East Cornwall Mineral Railway to serve the booming East Wheal Rose lead mine, then one of the richest in Cornwall. Later passing to the Great Western Railway, the line carried mineral and (briefly) passenger traffic. After mine closure the line lingered for tin-streaming and clay traffic until its final closure in 1956.
Stations and infrastructure
Benny Halt is the visitor entrance and main station, with workshop facilities. East Wheal Rose at the inner end of the line includes the listed engine house of the historic lead mine.
Route and stations
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Special events and operations
Themed running days, Easter and Halloween events and Santa Specials are run alongside the regular operating season.
Visitor information
Benny Halt is signposted from the A3075 between Newquay and Truro near St Newlyn East. The site has free parking, a café, and combined entry covering the railways and family attractions.