Helston Railway Diesel Group

The Helston Railway Diesel Group is a branch of the Helston Railway Preservation Company dedicated to restoring and running Heritage Diesel Traction on the Helston Railway, currently being restored by the Helston Railway Preservation Company.

Stock

They currently own a Park Royal Class 103 DMU, two Ruston 165DS 0-4-0 locomotive shunters and a BR 20 ton Standard Brake Van. There aim is to restore these as quickly as possible to run in passenger use on the railway with a view for purchasing Diesel Locomotives and Carriages when a service is running.

Park Royal Class 103

The Helston Railway Diesel Groups first purchase was a Class 103 DMU, one of only two left in preservation and the only one in a near working condition. It is currently under restoration as when purchased off the West Somerset Railway it was little more than a shell. Works are now well under way with a hope working date of Summer 2009. It is currently in British Rail green livery. The individual cars are DMBS, 50143 and DTCL, 56169.

Rushton Locomotive 327974

One of two Rushton shunter locomotive owned by the HRDG is number 327974. It is currently undergoing restoration and a livery repaint into BR Blue. It is at the moment the HRDG's only working locomotive.

Rushton Locomotive 395305

The second of the Rushton 165DS 0-4-0 locomotives is build number 395305. It is currently undergoing restoration but spares for the other Rushton shunter have been sought from it. It is currently painted on BR Black livery.

BR 20 Ton Standard Brake Van

HRDG's newest purchase is a BR 20 Ton Standard Brake Van, B954673. It is in a very poor state and needs to undergo major restoration works to be bought into use. When finished it will emerge in Railfreight Grey livery.

Plans

Short Term

The short term plans of the HRDG are to restore the Class 103 DMU and bring it into revenue earning service, as the first tracton to run on the line. It is also hoped the Rushton Shunters and Brake Van will be able to provide Brake Van rides.

Long Term

The long term aim of the HRDG are to purchase and restore heritage Diesel locomotives and suitable coaching stock. It is then hoped these would be able to run alongside any other traction on the railway. The use of Diesel locomotives would attract an large rail enthusiast market.

External Links

[http://www.hrdg-gallery.fotopic.net/] [http://www.helstondieselgroup.co.uk/front.htm]