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!

Wednesday, June 01, 2011

back ... but not well

Cuba must be the only country (except Germany!) where being vegetarian can be hazardous, but I've been laid low by a stomach parasite since getting back a week ago - so the numerous posts I'd planned are delayed but they will be along hopefully in the next few days!

8 comments:

H said...

Hi Steve,

Good to have you back. Hope you will be better soon.

Jellytots

Brian said...

Oh, was beginning to suspect Fidel's bro cast you into a dungeon after discovering your capitalist ambitions !

Avoiding all imported "fatal vegetables", hopefully soon back to usual interesting blog mix of transport related subjects.

Brian

Knoxy said...

at least you haven't been in Germany!

Anonymous said...

Better off with a week in Bournemouth. Fewer air miles and you can trust the food!

Anonymous said...

Bournemouth sounds a good idea.I wonder if I could get the train from Bath?
.

Anonymous said...

Yes you can. £31 return if you book now for next Saturday. Change at Southampton Central - 2hrs 30 mins transit time.

Anonymous said...

Not quite what I meant,as I am sure you know but thank you anyway.
Perhaps I should have said from Radstock!

Brian said...

Speaking of Radstock, while Steve in recovery how about soothe crave this blog by browsing nevard Writhlington safari piccies:

http://nevardmedia.blogspot.com/2011/06/lower-writhlington-colliery.html

Also compare stunningly retro 1974 views this S&D location:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davetharby/2259153662/

Brian