Nothing, however, could save the branch, which by 1960 was losing money “hand over fist” and passenger services ended on the 3rd of November 1962.

Local people moved heaven and earth in a frantic effort to placate Beeching’s coven of witches, but to no avail.

At 20:45, in the pitch black and biting cold, a type 2 rolled into Helston pulling the last ever passenger train. Locals dressed as mourners travelled to Gwinear Road and back, with protesters singing haunting choruses of Auld Lang Syne at both stations.

The end of an era had come, and the town grieved.

Freight soldiered-on for another 2 years, but succumbed on the 4th of October 1964. Gwinear Road station closed the next day.