27 January 2020.
Kilmersdon – built by Peckett's of Bristol in 1929 – was the last steam locomotive to work the Somerset coalfield. The loco was hired by the Trust to the Helston Railway in Cornwall in 2018 to start the first timetabled steam services on a restored part of the branch line since the original passenger service was withdrawn by BR in 1962.
The Helston have formed a great affection for Kilmersdon but now she must return to base for an overhaul – the boiler certificate is at its end. In this video we see Kilmersdon at work on Saturday 25 January 2020, the last day of steaming, with several runs along the line for Helston volunteers.
We also have a brief glimpse at the work in progress on the trackbed beyond Truthall Halt and finish with a selection of 'Guard's eye views' from the train on the return to Prospidnick.