Chairman's Notes - January 2010
A Happy new year to all our members, supporters and volunteers. As we enter the second decade of this millenium, it is worth reflecting on what we have achieved in the first. 2010 marks the fifth year we have been on site at Trevarno.
The end of our first day in April 2005
When we first arrived in April 2005, all we had was a track bed so overgrown we could not see the bridge. Since then we have cleared over a mile of track bed and laid over a quarter of a mile of track, installed a siding, started construction of the station and acquired two diesel shunters (one of which has now been restored to operation), a Diesel Multiple Unit, a brake van and a mail van (which now forms the shop). We have also replaced the footbridge that was cut up in 1965.
The same view in August 2009
Thanks go to all our members and supporters that have provided funds, all our volunteers for their hard work and tenacity in getting things done, and to Trevarno Estate for allowing us access to their part of the track bed. Without any of this support and help we would still have been merely talking about the idea in a pub!
The major achievement since my last notes has been the installation of the footbridge south of Trevarno station. This replaced the bridge that was destroyed by the demolition contractors in 1965. The bridge was part of a footpath linking local farms. In its place the contractors infilled the railway cutting with earth and this prevented us from laying track south from Trevarno. The installation of this bridge means that the infill can now be removed and we can continue laying track towards Helston.
The bridge has been manufactured by local firm Helston Galvanizing Services to a design by one of the railway's volunteers. The bridge was installed by AVG Engineering of Roche working in partnership with Macsalvors. The cost was met from donations by Members, the share issue and a grant from Cornwall Council. The bridge was constructed on site before being lifted in position which allowed the footpath to remain open throughout. It has been fixed to the stone piers of the original bridge which are still in place.
The bridge is taller than the original - we know this because you can see it from the bridge at Truthall but the original footbridge cannot be seen from photographs of Truthall taken in the 1960s. The bridge offers fantastic views of the surrounding countryside and - on clear days - distant views of the sea.
The photographs below show the bridge being lifted into place and the finished bridge.
Our second achievement has been the conversion of the 'RES' mail van into our new shop and exhibition of railway memorabilia. This was formally opened at our special Open Day on 1 November. The shop has been fitted out by our volunteers Marcus Wade and Alan Burton to a very high standard and unlike the old shop there is now plenty of room for visitors to walk around and browse. Thanks to all our shop volunteers who keep us trading all year round.
Our third achievement has been the station platform at Trevarno which is nearing completion. There was of course no station at Trevarno on the original branch line so we had nothing to start with and have designed and built the platform from scratch . Ken Moore and John Sumbler have designed and led the installation of the platform which consists of steel girders and sleepers for the platform retaining walls. The platform has been infilled using earth and spoil recovered from excavation of the track bed and the infill under the footbridge. This work has been completed and we just need to ensure the earth infill is compressed before laying the platform edging stones that came from the redundant platform at Penryn. A hardcore platform surface and installation of drains will then complete the platform.
The platform at Trevarno almost completed
Behind the scenes we have now produced a rulebook, health and safety management system and train and station crew training arrangements. We will need these before we can start operating passenger trains. Thanks in particular to Les Jones and Richard Smith for all their work in compiling these important procedures. As a result we hope to get our infrastructure and systems assessed during 2010 by an 'Independent Competent Person' (which is now required under railway safety legislation) so that we can start running trains.
Here's to our progress in 2010 being every bit as successful as the previous five years.
Chairman's Notes
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