Chairman's Notes - March 2009
The Permanent Way Team have made steady progress during March with the installation of the left hand turnout now completed and ballasted. The siding hand point has also been installed to operate the point and a rail clip and scotch when padlocked will prevent the points from being changed when trains are running. Eventually we will need to install a two lever ground frame released with an Annetts Key. Track laying itself is now almost at the footpath crossing south of Trevarno station, and this means we will shortly be able to transfer the two shunters, DMU and Brake Van into the siding so work on constructing the platform can commence.
The Permanent Way team are now turning their attention to laying track northwards towards Gansey Farm by which time just under half a mile of track will have been laid. We have recently taken delivery of 34 lengths of 45 feet bullhead rail which will be used for this purpose.
The shareholders of Helston Railway Company plc voted in favour of converting the company to a private limited company at their Extraordinary General Meeting. Once registered at Companies House, this will mean that the company's share capital of over £30,000 can be used to pay for the construction of the station and bring the railway into operational use.
In the meantime, the Helston Diesel Group's Ruston Shunter will be undergoing tests on its air systems shortly, after which we will be using a compressor to start the engine. We have received confirmation from the Office of the Rail Regulator that we can use the shunter for construction work, so we hope to be able to get the shunter moving soon. This will provide useful support for the Permanent Way Team who up till now have had to rely on the tractor to move their track and sleepers into position.
Also recently delivered to site are platform edging stones from the former up platform at Penryn. These are surplus to Network Rail's requirements following installation of the new passing loop on the Falmouth Branch there, and will be an important part of the Trevarno station platform construction.
Our Membership Secretary, Alan Burton, has recently produced a DVD marking the first four years of our project, and it is fascinating to contrast film of us in the early days struggling with 40 years of impenetrable vegetation growth compared with today's scenes of track being laid. The DVD also includes footage of the DMU being taken by road through Praze village en route to Trevarno and some aerial shots of the railway. Copies of the DVD are available directly from Alan (details under ‘shop' on this website) or from our shop on site at Trevarno.
We are always in need of volunteers to assist us, particularly anyone who is experienced in the installation and maintenance of permanent way or construction work. Perhaps less glamorous but equally important work will be fencing the railway. The Helston Diesel Group would also welcome assistance from anyone who has knowledge of maintaining ‘Heritage' Diesel Multiple Units and would like to work on restoring the Park Royal DMU, or anyone experienced in carpentry who might like to get involved in restoring the Brake Van. If you can spare some time to help restore the railway, whatever your skills, please do get in touch.
Finally, come and see what we have achieved so far and talk to the Directors and volunteers about future plans at our Open Day on Sunday 3 May. There will be track laying demonstrations, and you will be able to see how the DMU and Diesel Shunter works. I will be conducting guided walks of the track bed between Trevarno and Truthall Halt and also northwards towards Gansey Farm. Normal Trevarno Garden's admission rates apply, but don't forget that Helston Railway Preservation Society members get 25% off on production of their membership card. I look forward to seeing you there.
Stuart Walker
Chairman
Chairman's Notes
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