 Construction proved to be easier said than done and the 3.5 miles (5.6 km) of broad gauge railway from the main line at Burngullow up to Nanpean finally opened on 1 July 1869.Upon the opening of the Cornwall Minerals Railway line from Par to St Columb Road on 1 January 1879 it became possible for trains of china clay to travel to the harbours at Par and Fowey for onward shipping.At the same time, the old tramway from Newquay was rebuilt and extended to meet up with the line already at Nanpean.