Welcome to the 'New Somerset and Dorset Railway'

The original Somerset and Dorset Railway closed very controversially in 1966. It is time that decision, made in a very different world, was reversed. We now have many councillors, MPs, businesses and individuals living along the line supporting us. Even the Ministry of Transport supports our general aim. The New S&D was formed in 2009 with the aim of rebuilding as much of the route as possible, at the very least the main line from Bath (Britain's only World Heritage City) to Bournemouth (our premier seaside resort); as well as the branches to Wells, Glastonbury and Wimborne. We will achieve this through a mix of lobbying, trackbed purchase and restoration of sections of the route as they become economically viable. With Climate Change, road congestion, capacity constraints on the railways and now Peak Oil firmly on the agenda we are pushing against an open door. We already own Midford just south of Bath, and are restoring Spetisbury under license from DCC, but this is just the start. There are other established groups restoring stations and line at Midsomer Norton and Shillingstone, and the fabulous narrow gauge line near Templevcombe, the Gartell Railway.

There are now FIVE sites being actively restored on the S&D and this blog will follow what goes on at all of them!
Midford - Midsomer Norton - Gartell - Shillingstone - Spetisbury


Our Aim:

Our aim is to use a mix of lobbying, strategic track-bed purchase, fundraising and encouragement and support of groups already preserving sections of the route, as well as working with local and national government, local people, countryside groups and railway enthusiasts (of all types!) To restore sections of the route as they become viable.
Whilst the New S&D will primarily be a modern passenger and freight railway offering state of the art trains and services, we will also restore the infrastructure to the highest standards and encourage steam working and steam specials over all sections of the route, as well as work very closely with existing heritage lines established on the route.

This blog contains my personal views. Anything said here does not necessarily represent the aims or views of any of the groups currently restoring, preserving or operating trains over the Somerset and Dorset Railway!

Sunday, December 30, 2007

new year's honours





First honours have to go to Graeme Mayes and John Rideout with their excellent restoration of the signalbox - internally and externally. The above photos cover the last 18 months or so.
Posted by Picasa

towards 2008


Hope you all had a great Xmas. We had a good December at the station with a Christmas meal (mainly for the volunteers) on the first Sunday, a wonderful Santa weekend with around 75 children in to see Santa then a family Xmas meal on the big day itself which was a unique experience.

2008 is going to be an important year for the line with a lot of new development. A large legacy came in just before Xmas will which allow a lot of progress - more please!

On the volunteer front we've had a lot of new regulars join the team in 2007, coming in nearly every week. The signalbox is FANTASTIC and an absolute credit to the line and to Graeme Mayes and John Rideout who have done most of the work. The museum should be completed in 2008, bringing another visitor attraction to the site. And the Sentinel restoration will be proceeding throughout the year - funding is in place.

Also expect 3 or 4 more issues of the Telegraph magazine, in my objective opinion easily the finest magazine produced by any of the smaller heritage set ups. And we can't wait to get started on tracklaying on the extension ...

I'm really looking forward to working at the site in the New Year, once I've got this bricklaying course under my belt!
Posted by Picasa

Saturday, December 29, 2007

xmas at midsomer norton


A look along the platform on Xmas day.


The up platform with the trench dug to allow electricity to the signalbox.


We had eleven for Yuletide lunch in the catering coach - our final fling!

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

budapest





Like most of mainland Europe, Budapest has an excellent public transport system that puts the UK's to shame. We had a couple of days there at the start of the month and were amazed how easy it was to get around the city. Just try getting round Bath, Bristol or Bournemouth as easily - yet once all three places had trams. In the UK some cities don't even have railways (Wells and Ripon spring to mind). We've a lot to learn ...
Posted by Picasa

santa 2007


A small Santa welcomes visitors to the station on Saturday.


The tombola stall was very successful!


Member number 1 chills out in front of the shop fire.

Santa was at Midsomer Norton this weekend. About 75 children got to see him and the weekend went really smoothly. Santa events are an excellent way of publicising the line and hopefully will gain us lots of new supporters over the coming decades!
Posted by Picasa

Monday, December 03, 2007

sales retreat


This is all the mail order and Internet sales items sent over the weekend. Mail order and Internet sales have been a vital fundraiser for the S&D, bringing in around £15000 profit over the last 3 years.

Unfortunately due to staff changes at Midsomer Norton this has all had to end. The eBay shop is now closed and the last few mail orders are now being filled.

If you would like to take over this side of the sales operation please contact us!
Posted by Picasa