The Railway

The Great Western Railway arrived in Perranporth in 1903 with a branch line service via Chacewater to Truro. In 1906 the line was extended to form a continuous link to Newquay. Perranporth was the main station in the parish but smaller “halts” existed at Mithian, Perranporth Beach and Goonhavern.

This photograph shows Perranporth Station, with the sand dunes in the background. The tourism industry gained momentum with this important transport link, which continued until the Beeching Cuts in the early 1960’s. The museum recalls the effect of Dr Beeching’s railway axe with photographs of the last train leaving from Perranporth station.