Chairman’s Update – January 2007

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A major milestone for the railway was achieved on 17 January when Kerrier District Council gave us planning approval to recreate the railway at Trevarno. The only condition is that we start work within three years – not too problematic as we hope to start in a few weeks! The approval allows us to lay almost half a mile of track, a ‘loading spur’, (basically a siding that allows us to accept delivery of locomotives and rolling stock) a tool store, and a two coach platform with traditional GWR ‘Pagoda’ style shelter – similar to that which used to exist at Truthall Halt. We can also build a steel footbridge to replace the one demolished by BR in 1965 that carried the public footpath over the line at Tregadjack.

 We now have around 800 railway sleepers at Trevarno, but we have been offered around 1000, more of which are currently at Penryn. The total cost of stripping them of the scrap rail and transporting them will be around £4,000. So far we have raised £560 through the appeal in the recent newsletter, but we need much more – can you help either in cash or kind?

Once the work is complete, we will need to get safety approval from HM Railway Inspectorate so that we can run short train rides between Trevarno Bridge and Tregadjack. To continue passenger train services over the remainder of the line will require a Transport and Works Act Order. This is the most expensive part of the approvals process but one part of the Order will have been achieved having obtained planning permission.

I would like to thank all the railway’s volunteers and the staff at Trevarno Estate who assisted us in drawing up the application and helped us get it through.

Meanwhile, volunteers have almost completed clearance of the vegetation on the track bed all the way to Truthall Halt. The cutting before Truthall has become very muddy indeed with the recent heavy rain, but excavation work by our volunteers has revealed a number of drainage pipes either side of the old railway formation. This suggests that drainage was always an issue in this section. We have attempted to clear some of the drains and water is now running through a short section. However we will need to excavate the whole drain in due course and repair or replace it.

Our Husband and wife Membership and marketing team Alan and Sue Burton have been busy organising exclusive Helston Railway clothing which we are now able to offer for sale. The items include caps, woolly hats, polo shirts and tea shirts amongst other items and all include a detailed woven Helston Railway Company crest – requiring (we were told by the manufacturers Tremorvah Industries) around 14,000 stitches. To purchase one of these unique garments, please see the merchandise section of this web site, print off an order form and send it to Alan. All proceeds will go the railway so you will also be assisting us in rebuilding the line.