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, January 25, 2012

midford today






Quick trip up to Midford today - and was presented with this picture of neatness and tidiness! It's amazing how much has been achieved here with just a few people in just over a year.

The bases of both the oil store and the station building are now clear to see, so hopefully it won't be long before rebuilding starts. That is when the New S&D revival at this end of the line will become really exciting!
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7 comments:

Stuart Seale said...

Hmmm, looking at the photos without blinkered vision I'm surprised to still see weeds growing on the station. I thought these things died over the Winter and grew again in the Spring. When is the best time to apply the weedkiller?

Anonymous said...

Hats off to everyone involved. It looks fantastic. Keep up the good work.

Steve Sainsbury said...

The mild weather's meant that things have hardly stopped growing this 'winter'. I think things really get going in late March to April.

Eddystone said...

Where exactly was the tablet exchange apparatus set up?

Tom Seale said...

Next to the signalbox, now in the pub carpark.

Anonymous said...

I did suggest glysophate last year but it was not received very well.
Time for a rethink ???

Anonymous said...

What do you think about glysophate Stuart?
Look back at last years photos!
Yes,you have made progress but you have to start again every visit.
It may appear to be dangerous stuff but you'r not trying to grow food or fruit on the platform or the walls.
Give the idea some consideration.
I wish I was young and fit enough to come and help.