Helston Railway Preservation Company
Coordinates: 50°07′30″N 5°18′04″W / 50.125°N 5.301°W
| Helston Railway Preservation Company | |
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| Commercial operations | |
| Original gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Preserved operations | |
| Length | 1⁄2 mi (0.8 km) |
| Preserved gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Commercial history | |
| Preservation history | |
| Website | |
| http://www.helstonrailway.co.uk/ | |
The Helston Railway Preservation Company is a heritage railway that aims to rebuild the Helston branch line that linked Gwinear Road on the Cornish Main Line to Helston, Cornwall, England.
Contents |
[edit] Overview
Work is concentrated around Trevarno Gardens, and just under 1⁄2 miles (0.80 km) of track has been relaid at Trevarno.[citation needed] The line is being built entirely by volunteers and is funded by donations and membership subscriptions, and by members who buy shares in the Helston Railway Preservation Company Ltd. The railway is open to the public at Trevarno estate, where an entrance fee is payable. Current members of the Helston Railway can receive 25% discount on entrance fees at Trevarno, upon production of a valid membership card. The original concept to re-open the branch was back in 1994 when Mart Hew from Helston and officials from British Rail, surveyed the line in with the idea of a feasibility study. It was decided that due to the amount of work needed and the possible revenue that could be generated, it was not worth the effort. The idea was eventually dropped.
[edit] Rolling stock
The line has five rail vehicles on site: a two-car Park Royal (BR Class 103) DMU, two Ruston & Hornsby 165DS 0-4-0 diesel shunters and a BR 20 ton standard brake van. All of these vehicles are owned by members of the Helston Railway Diesel Group (HRDG) who are actively restoring all of these vehicles.
[edit] Park Royal Class 103
HRDG's first purchase was a British Rail Class 103 DMU, one of only two left in preservation and the only one in a near-working condition.[citation needed] It is currently under restoration as, when purchased from the West Somerset Railway, it was little more than a shell. Works are now well under way. It is currently in British Rail (BR) green livery. The individual cars are Driving Motor Brake Second (DMBS) 50143 and Driving Motor Lavatory Composite (DTCL) 56169. On 12 October 2008, one of the engines was started for the first time.[citation needed]
[edit] Ruston locomotive 327974
One of two Ruston shunter locomotives owned by the HRDG is number 327974. It has been restored, and has had a livery repaint into BR Blue. It is at the moment the HRDG's only working locomotive.
[edit] Ruston locomotive 395305
The second of the Ruston 165DS 0-4-0 locomotives is build number 395305. It is currently undergoing restoration but spares for the other Rushton shunter have been sought from it. It is currently painted in BR Black livery.
[edit] BR 20-ton standard brake van
HRDG's newest purchase is a BR 20-Ton Standard Brake van, B954673. It had been in a very poor state and has undergone major restoration works so that it can soon be brought into use. This is nearly finished; it will emerge in Railfreight Grey livery.
[edit] Steam working
On 25–26 July 2010, steam returned to Helston for the first time since 1962, during celebration of the completion of the latest station platform on the line and the newest since Truthall Platform in 1905.[1]
The engine 'Judy',[2] one of two similar preserved Bagnall 0-4-0STs, lent a working presence, courtesy of Bodmin and Wenford Railway.
The Mayor of Helston officiated at the grand opening of Trevarno Station, on 26 July 2010, with 'Judy' in attendance. Although 'Judy' was in steam and operating on the railway, she was unable to carry passengers, as HRDG are not yet authorised to operate passenger trains. (However, Sunday footplate rides on the diesel shunter are now regularly available.)
[edit] Current status
As of February 2012:
- The laid track was now 0.8 mile long and by Easter 2012 should be 1 mile long.
- Discussions are taking place regarding the possibility of housing steam locomotive(s) from private owners, at Helston. This would need specialised locomotive shed, complete with an inspection pit.
- Plans to rebuild Truthall Station are well advanced with planning permission granted.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Walker, Stuart. "Return of Steam to Helston Branch - 25 and 26 July". Helston Railway Preservation Company. http://www.helstonrailway.co.uk/news-full?Return-of-Steam-to-Helston-Branch---25-and-26-July-15. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
- ^ ""Judy" Bagnall 0-4-0 ST Built 1936". Cornish Steam Locomotive Preservation Society. http://www.bodminandwenfordrailway.co.uk/steamlocos/Judy.html. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
