Chairman's Notes - May 2009
Thanks to everyone who visited us on our Open Day - Sunday 3 May - and also to all the volunteers who made it such a success. We were able to start the Ruston Shunter with the use of the newly acquired compressor, and one of the Park Royal DMU engines was also started up. Thanks to everyone involved with the Diesel Group for their hard work in making both engines operable.
We had hundreds of visitors on the day who were able to see how the shunter and DMU worked, operated the newly installed points, and were given a guided tour of the track bed from the Gansey end right through to Truthall Halt. Volunteers also installed another track panel so that visitors could see how track is laid.
The following weekend, we transferred the DMU, Brake Van into the siding using the Ruston shunter for the first time. This was done so we could clear the through line so that work can start on building Trevarno station platform. The move was carried out successfully with the assistance of some of our volunteers that work in the Rail industry. Before operations were carried out, volunteers were trained in the use of hand signals and railway operating procedure. The whole event was covered by a West Briton photographer and there were no incidents involved in what may be the first train movement on the Branch line since it was closed for traffic in 1964. The photograph shows the stock now in the siding.
The shunter can only be used for construction work at present, so no passengers can be carried on any of our trains. A lot or work needs to be carried out on the bureaucracy of creating our Rule Book, safety, maintenance and staff training procedures before we can gain approval to run passenger trains. We have now set up a team of volunteers to undertake this laborious but essential work. Any expert assistance would be most welcome.
Marcus Wade and his team of volunteers that staff the shop and attend exhibitions have put on a fantastic display at Helston Folk Museum. Covering the history of the line, and including a collection of railway memorabilia from the branch and other railways, the display also includes photographs of our work on restoring the branch line. The exhibition is well worth a visit and is attended by our volunteers who will be happy to answer any questions. 
A notable event took place at the Museum when Helstonian and Helston Railway member Chris Heaps presented the Nancegollen single line staff. The exhibition has been so successful that it has now been extended until the 12 June, so please pay us a visit. The museum is open 10am to 1pm on Mondays to Saturdays and more information is included in the News pages of this website.
The Permanent Way Team continue to progress northwards, and as these photographs show, is now proceeding round the curve towards Gansey Farm - which means that the end of the line can no longer be seen from Trevarno Bridge.
Over a quarter of a mile of track has now been laid, and there are more rails due to be delivered shortly, so we expect to get to our current northern boundary during the summer.
Stuart Walker
Chairman
Chairman's Notes
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