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!

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

midford monday

Overall shot looking south.

Remains of the up signal still in position just beyond the north end of the platform.



Two general views showing how much clearance has taken place since September.


A really nice trip yesterday up to Midford to meet one of the Midsomer Norton workers. It was his first visit to Midford in 45 years - his last trip was when the line was still running!

We had a meal in the Hope and Anchor which is poised to benefit enormously from the revival of the station and the eventual restoration of the line which will mean that their customers will still be able to enjoy the excellent food even after the end of road traffic!

If you do visit Midford try to pop into the pub when you are there, and let them know you're visiting the station! The food is excellent!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

the last two pics don't work

Steve Sainsbury said...

Sorry, now fixed. Blogger has been behaving VERY oddly over the last few days - it makes blogging a real trial at the moment!