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REALLY SideTracked - Steep Holm Traditional Geocache

Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
3 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

Even a small island like Steep Holm can have a railway, and did so during the two World Wars.

During the wars, the island was used as a base for soldiers, primarily for intercepting enemy aircraft attempting to attack South Wales or South West England.
There needed to be an effective way for sand, cement and steel (to build batteries) as well as general supplies from the beach at the bottom of the island, up the steep, winding slopes to the top of the island. A 60mm gauge railway proved the most effective way of doing this, so one was built between the beach and the main bunker.

The carriages were winched up by cables from stations at the top of the island- the station buildings are still around, but now derelict. As you walk up to the island from the beach, you will see the ruined remnants of the track, which zig-zags in line with the path. Over time, it has been reclaimed by nature.



There were two 'stations' at each end of the tracks, but they are now practically demolished. The cache is placed next to a stretch of tracks on the walk up to the main part of the island.

The cache has four logsheets, to reduce the amount of time needed for a replacement. Please only sign your username once.

This cache is only accessible through organised boat trips from Weston-super-Mare. Please do not attempt to get there by your own vessel- it is both dangerous and tresspassing.


Thanks to the island wardens for permission for this cache to be placed.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

[Please only sign your name on ONE of the logsheets] Pyvssunatre- frr fcbvyre vs lbh'er fghpx

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)