Four more shots of the trackbed between Midsomer Norton and Radstock, likely to be part 2 of the reinstatement of the S&D in this area (after Midsomer Norton - Chilcompton Tunnel and before Chilcompton Tunnel - Chilcompton Station).
The trackbed is surprisingly clear and runs through attractive scenery the whole way with open views across the hills. Two bridges will need to be replaced.
Once Radstock is reached serious consideration can be given to the reinstatement of the line to Bath as both a public and tourist railway, which is likely to become one of the most important tourist attractions in the whole south west as well as a leading member of the 'premier league' of UK private railways.
3 comments:
Yes, we do have support and are also able to gently utilise the rivalry between Radstock and Midsomer Norton!
One option is a lifting bridge at Silver Street. It may well be that there are 'scrap' bridges available that will fill the gaps. And we always have to remember that with the huge support and love out there for the S&D that finding the money will be a matter of 'when' rather than 'if'.
Anyway we have to reach Radstock to enable us to extend northwards towards Bath!
The likelihood is that the thrust of the S&D will switch from southwards to northwards once we reach the infill at Chilcompton, removal being a £2million job, which may well make the Radstock extension a more popular (and cheaper) move in the medium term.
We don't see 'problems' as insurmountable at the S&D, but rather as challenges that make the job more fun! There are going to be far greater challenges in the future, Prestleigh Viaduct being one, Sturminster Newton and Wincanton a couple more!
We've had our eye on a couple of bridges up near Heathrow which we could possible acquire for the scrap value.
I think the trackbed on either side of Silver Street is level, and as far as I'm aware there are no insurmountable obstructions on the route down to Radstock - certainly at the Radstock end the track is totally clear (and ballast still visible) all the way to the Somervale Road crossing. In fact there are no totally insurmountable obstacles anywhere on the route Bath to Bournemouth that cash, dedication and the converging crises of Peak Oil and Global Heating won't overcome!
Thanks for all the pictures showing the developments at Midsomer Norton (I am a member but have yet to visit)and at other locations. Regrettably I believe its now far too late to try to reopen the S&D as it was (it could never be as it was anyway) and many people find railways to be a source of derision and a nuisance (especially if their housing has appeared near or on the trackbed over the years) rather than something worthwhile as we do. I wonder where all these tourists are going to come from? A far bigger problem than global warming and lack of fuel is a lack of volunteers on these heritage lines - that's going to be your biggest difficulty, together with competition for funds from the ever more demanding heritage railway movement. Having been involved (off and on) with the restoration of a heritage line and a certain GWR (can I say that on an S&D site!) steam locomotive for over 20 years I do have some experience in this. That said, its great when you can achieve something and Midsomer Norton certainly has!
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