Helston Railway
The Helston Railway is a small standard-gauge heritage railway in West Cornwall, based at Prospidnick on a preserved section of the former Great Western Railway branch from Gwinear Road to Helston. The line is the most westerly heritage railway in mainland Britain, and the only operating heritage railway in West Cornwall.
Operations run over about a mile of restored trackbed, with a long-term ambition to extend toward Helston itself. The site retains a quiet, rural Cornish character.
History
The Helston Railway Preservation Society was formed in 2005, and the first passenger trains ran in 2011 from a temporary platform at Truthall Halt. The line has steadily extended along the original trackbed, with Prospidnick now the principal headquarters.
Original line history
The Helston branch opened in 1887 from a junction at Gwinear Road on the Great Western Railway main line to Penzance. The line's most famous feature was the GWR's connecting motor bus service from Helston to The Lizard, operated from 1903 and considered to be Britain's first scheduled motor-bus service. Passenger trains ended in 1962 and the line closed completely in 1964.
Stations and infrastructure
Prospidnick is the principal station, with the locomotive shed and visitor facilities. Truthall Halt is the other end of the running line.
Route and stations
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Special events and operations
Steam galas, dining trains and Santa Specials are run on selected weekends.
Visitor information
Prospidnick is reached via the B3297 north-east of Helston. The line typically operates on selected weekends from spring through autumn.