The 100% volunteer operated Helston Railway in Cornwall is celebrating a record season in 2018 having welcomed 4,000 more visitors than it did the previous year, tipping the ‘over 10,000’ visitor mark for the first time in its preserved history.
In 2018, Helston Railway reached several milestones in its construction including the re-opening of the extensively restored Truthall Halt by HRH The Duke of Gloucester on the 30 April. Shortly afterwards, for the first time in over 55 years, the railway resumed a timetabled steam hauled passenger service thanks to help from the Somerset & Dorset Railway trust who allowed them to hire their 0-4-0ST Peckett Steam locomotive ‘Kilmersdon’ and the South Devon Railway for making the ex British Railways Mark one suburban coach available to them for long term hire.
Volunteer marketing director Ben Harding comments “We are delighted to have had a record breaking season in 2018 having carried 10,048 passengers over 96 operating days, a considerable improvement on the 6,104 passengers in 2017. There really has been a mixed bag of figures across the Heritage railway industry this year, however, I feel that our numbers really reflect the estimated 20% increase in visitors to the county during the 2018 season which has enabled us to enjoy a great season. We look forward to 2019 with some great events planned as well as our regular timetabled services.”
Helston Railway will shortly open for the 2019 season on March 28th, with steam and diesel trains running on selected Sundays, Thursdays & Bank Holiday Mondays, see the website for further details including which days are steam or diesel, visit www.helstonrailway.co.uk