By the 1870s there was a clear need for more modern motive power, and the two steam locomotives Ant and Bee were delivered in 1877.

Clearance of blockages and damages in the tunnel enabled the original route to be relaid to a point close to the mine entrance in time for the 2004 re-opening.

Although the line runs past the mine entrance, the spur into the underground section has not been restored.

By 2006 a majority of the above-ground section of the original railway had been restored, including a running line extending to 1⁄4 mi (0.4 km) in length.

Following the periods of hand operation and then pony haulage, a pair of steam locomotives were delivered from Stephen Lewin of Poole in 1877.

Ant and Bee were 0-4-0 tank locomotives made unusually narrow, in order to fit within the adit.

The boilers were launch-type, as were commonly used for small locomotives with insufficient space between the frames for a conventional firebox.

They now operate the line, together with a battery electric locomotive named Wasp, which previously worked in a mine in Cornwall.

Additionally, some rail vehicles are available for use by volunteer permanent way engineers on the railway, for construction and maintenance duties.