Life on the branch in the first 2 decades of the 20th century was tranquil compared to other Cornish lines, with up to 8 or 9 up and down worked per day by small GWR tank engines such as the Metro and the 517 class.

Operations were based on the electric staff system, with the engine shed at Helston station, signal boxes at Gwinear, Helston and Nancegollan Loop, and a passing loop at Nancegollan. There were several through trains, notably the Cornish Riviera Express, although no trains ran on Sundays.

Originally it was proposed to extend the line down to Lizard Village, on the Lizard Peninsula, but it was shown to be not viable. A bus service was provided instead by the GWR, this was the first of its type in the world, and a vanguard for the competition that proved the death-knell of many lines.