Monday 9th of May (Flora Day) 1887 saw celebrations to rival the sod cutting 5 years previous, as the 9:40 train carrying some 50 passengers and bedecked with flags set off for Gwinear Rd. Ceremonies, dinners and services abounded, all attended by Mayor, Corporation, Directors, Dignitaries and no doubt a considerable number of hangers on.

Helston had been propelled, by steam, into the 19th century. The early years of the line unfortunately coincided with the death throes of mining. In a classic example of how railways can benefit both themselves along with the local economy, quarrying began to develop, meaning jobs for redundant miners, and lucrative cargo for the branch.

Tourism meant that in the summer passenger trains were healthily full, and profits in the first few years were above expectations.

The branch further benefited from the conversion on the GWR mainline to 4’ 8 ½” (Standard Gauge) in 1892. Trains, which ran on the single line, on a one engine in steam basis, still managed as many as 7 trips in each direction per day. In the mid 1890’s, with their aim of bringing rails to Helston satisfied, the directors decided to sell the branch to the Great Western Railway, which was duly formalised on the 1st of July 1898.