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!

Saturday, September 27, 2008

spreading the word ...





These are exciting times for the S&D with several preservation groups flourishing, activity at many points along the line and interest greater than ever before. The launch of the New Somerset and Dorset Railway group any time now will be a momentous event in the history of the S&D.

I would love four or five more contributors to join me in producing this blog. Ideally you'd be based somewhere near the S&D, be a good photographer and have an interesting angle on the S&D (but none of these are essential requirements)! Most important is that you can produce two or three (at least) posts each month - they need only be a few lines or a couple of paragraphs. Please email me if you are interested or need more information. Progress reports from Shillingstone, Midsomer Norton, Gartell, Midford, Masbury and Washford will be particularly valued!
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2 comments:

Unknown said...

I need more infomation about the plans?

Steve Sainsbury said...

Keep reading the blog - any information will appear here first!