Steam stars again in Trevithick country
PRUSSIAN blue-liveried Peckett saddletank Kilmersdon may have often been viewed as a‘sideshow’at its home at Washford station on the West Somerset Railway, giving shunting demonstrations at special events.
However, in Cornwall, what was the last steam locomotive to work at Kilmersdon Colliery and within the Somerset coalfield has acquired immediate superstar status, as the first to haul timetabled passenger trains on the Helston Railway.
The mile-long line has had steam visitors before, but none had up to now hauled passenger trains.
After concluding a deal with owner the Washford-based Somerset & Dorset until early 2019, the 0-4-0ST, No. 1788 of 1928, began its journey to the far west on April 27.
