The Helston Railway in Cornwall is to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the last train from Gwinear Road to Helston that ran on 3rd November 1962 hauled by Class 22 diesel No. D6312 with a special event 60-years to the day, next Thursday, 3rd November.
Although the last train was hauled by D6312, there are no Class 22 locos preserved. Instead, services on the day will operated by the Helston Railway's 0-6-0 Peckett steam locomotive No. 2000 and its diesel locomotive Kingswood in Top & Tail mode.
Before its closure in 1962, the railway was operated by steam locomotives from its opening in 1887 until the introduction of Class 22 locomotives in 1961, so this is a fitting way to remember the line.
During the day, services will depart from Prospidnick Halt at 10.30, 11,30, 13.00, 14.00, and 15.00 and standard fares will apply.
Steam locomotive Peckett 2000 will be on the front of trains as they run towards Truthall Hal, and will provide rare opportunities to photograph the locomotive hauling trains chimney first.
In the evening, a special train will depart Prospidnick Halt at 18.30 and run to Truthall Halt. It will then run several times runs up & down the line before departing Truthall Halt at about 20.50 in the path of the timetable that the last train operated in 1962. Steam locomotive Peckett 2000 and Kingswood will swap places so the Peckett 2000 will haul the commemorative ‘last train from Helston'.
Tickets for the Evening Special cost £10 per ticket.
After passenger services ceased on Thursday, 3rd November, freight trains continued for another two years, until 4th October 1964. Gwinear Road station on the main line between Plymouth and Penzance closed the following day.
Although no Class 22 locomotives have been preserved, in 2014 a group of like-minded people set formed Project 22 to recreate one of the locomotives, Further details about the group can be obtained at http://project22society.co.uk/
