The tracks of the tramway were built out of the same material it was designed to carry granite.
The trackway was built in 1820 and remained operational until 1858.
But the transport of this heavy and bulky commodity was a significant problem.
The rails were hewn from irregular blocks of solid granite and laid directly on the ground.
The horses held the wagons back and prevented them from running away while descending.
The same set of horses pulled the empty wagons back up the incline.
Braking could also be applied manually by pressing a long pole against the rim of the wheel.
On reaching the canal, the granite blocks were loaded onto barges and transported to Teignmouth.
Haytor quarry, however, remained operational for only a short period.
Between 1841 and 1851, the quarry produced no granite.
Parts of the tramway are still visible in Haytor.
Photo credit:Geof Sheppard/Wikimedia
A junction along Haytor Granite Tramway.
Photo credit:Patrick GUEULLE/Wikimedia
A switch stone on Haytor Granite Tramway.
Photo credit:Patrick GUEULLE/Wikimedia
A junction along Haytor Granite Tramway.
Photo credit:Mike White/Wikimedia
Sources:Wikipedia/www.transportheritage.com/Legendary Dartmoor
