Volunteers working to reopen Helston's railway branch line have been left "bowled over" after receiving more than £76,000 to continue the project.

Helston Railway Preservation Group has been awarded the cash from the first round of the government's £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund, set up to help heritage organisations and project struggling as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Helston Railway is one of 445 organisations sharing £103 million, allowing them to restart reconstruction work and maintenance at cherished heritage sites, keep venues open and supporting those working for them.

Colin Savage, general manager of Helston Railway, said: "We are bowled over by the news of the grant award.

Falmouth Packet:

Helston Railway is looking into reconnecting the branch line between Helston and Gwinear Road

"It follows many weeks of hard work collating all the necessary information to fill in the application by members of the board and this money will now not only help the railway to survive in the current pandemic situation but will enable essential infrastructure work to be done, bring renovation of the group’s DMU units [diesel multiple units - trains powered by on-board diesel engine] forward, plus enable the rebuild and boiler repairs of the steam locomotive William Murdoch to be achieved."

The money will also allow the group to step up training for volunteers, offer educational opportunities and employ outside consultants to help with marketing and business planning.

Read next: Cornish railway enthusiasts need £40,000 help to continue ambitious project

"Not only is this a lifeline for the railway as a whole, it brings exciting possibilities for the future which otherwise would not have happened so quickly," added Mr Savage.

In total the preservation group has received £76,100 and Mr Savage said without it the future of the work would be "on a knife edge."

He added: "We are so grateful to the national heritage Culture Fund and can’t thank them enough for their support.

Falmouth Packet:

The group has already opened the line up to Truthall Halt

"Helston Railway can now look forward to reopening in the spring of 2021."

Helston Railway Company has been clearing the line around Trevarno and Prospidnick towards Gwinear Road for the last 15 years and earlier this year set in motion a long-term scheme that could ultimately see the branch line fully re-established, allowing passengers to connect to the main line again, via Gwinear Road near Hayle.

Read next: Helston Railway bids for study to connect trains to Gwinear

Unfortunately the group missed out on the first stage of the Department for Transport's £500 million fund to cover the cost of feasibility studies, but Mr Savage said there was another opportunity coming up and the group hoped to submit a bid again with the support of MP Derek Thomas.

Last month members launched a £40,000 fundraising campaign to replace a key piece of equipment used for clearing and levelling, lifting and towing equipment, track and sleepers, and digging drainage ditches, due to it continually breaking down.

Money can still be donated to the GoFundMe page at www.gofundme.com/f/helston-railway-road-railer