About our Company
The original Helston Railway Preservation Society was formed at a meeting held in the Chy-an-Albany Hotel, St Ives, on the 18th May 2002. On the 16th February 2006 we created the Helston Railway Preservation Company Limited with the intent to build and run a railway, it was never the intention that this company would be used to generate profits for its shareholders and is run as a ‘not for profit' company, limited by guarantee.
The objective of the company is to restore to running order, and re-open as a heritage railway, as much of the old Helston Branch Line as possible. The long term aim is to re-open a three mile section of the branch line between Nancegollan and Helston Water-ma-Trout.
With the kind permission of the landowner, a volunteer labour force, drawn from the Company's Supporters, started clearing the track bed at Trevarno Estate on Sunday 24th April 2005.
Our volunteers have worked wonders since work commenced in April 2005. Starting with a totally overgrown, and in some places impenetrable track bed, the team has cleared and made ready just over a mile down to the formation. Over 3/4 mile of new track has been laid, starting at Gansey in the north and travelling south through the Trevarno Estate down towards the original site of Truthall Halt. Our new Trevarno Station has been constructed within the Trevarno Gardens and we have been granted planning permission to reinstate Truthall Halt.
Belonging to our sister organisation, the Helston Diesel Group, there are two Ruston & Hornsby shunters and a two car Park Royal Diesel Multiple Unit. One of the shunters has been fully restored to use and is already being used for footplate rides on Sundays, whilst the other is awaiting repairs to its gearbox. The restoration of our Brake Van is also almost complete and it will be in use for our first scheduled passenger workings on the Branch - hopefully with a Steam Locomotive - during 2012. Keep visiting this website for more news on this!
We have a well-stocked shop, manned by volunteers, and small exhibition of railway memorabilia, in our converted mail van at Trevarno and the shop is open most days when the gardens are open.
We were extremely proud, when all our hard work was recognised, as we were presented with the Ian Allan Heritage Railway of the Year Award, by Pete Waterman, at a ceremony in London last year. When they visited us again in April the judges were especially impressed, after closer inspection and meeting the crew, with the tremendous progress that we had achieved to date and the obvious enthusiasm and commitment of our volunteers.
The Helston Railway Preservation Company - the legal entity of our society - is a 'social enterprise' company limited by guarantee which ensures that all income and every very welcome donation is invested solely into building and running the railway.
The hard work carried out by our regulars has been fantastic, but there is always room for more help. There is plenty of work; from track laying, building, fencing, and landscaping, to restoration work on the shunters and DMU. There are also administration tasks, such as fundraising and other support roles, such as manning the shop, that are really important. However if you feel that you do not want to play an active part, but wish to support us in other ways, then donations of any kind and equipment are very much appreciated, however small.
We hope that you find this website an interesting resource for information about the history of the line and also our current progress. Please do not miss the photos, and if you are not already a Member, please consider joining us - every small amount given in membership fees helps and is valuable to us.
With your continued tremendous support, we are sure that the restoration of the railway will continue rapidly, and before long, we will all be able to enjoy travelling by train, hopefully under steam, over a section of the Helston Railway.
Make a Donation
If you would like to make a donation to help continue this brilliant project, please do so by clicking the button below. Your help is gratefully appreciated. All payments are processed securely by PayPal.
Become a Member
We always welcome new members.
Becoming a member helps support the project and gives you an opportunity to volunteer on the railway.
It is very easy to become a member of the Helston Railway. Simply sign up and pay online, or print off our application form, and return with a cheque.