(Photo copyright Mick Knox Dec 2011)
One of the misconceptions about the S&D is that it was some sort of branch line! Anyone who had seen the line at its peak in the 1950s would never make this mistake. Trains worked block on block, especially on the single track sections and especially on summer Saturdays. Passenger trains were joined by a succession of heavy freights and of course there was the express train, the Pines.
At Midsomer Norton they are relaying double track and the above shot really captures this. The only other double track standard gauge heritage line is the Great Central. Most of the S&D was of course double track, there were short sections of single track between Bath GP and Midford and through Corfe Mullen, plus a longer stretch between Templecombe and Blandford.
So we will shortly have two restored stations on double track S&D (Midsomer Norton and Spetsibury) and two on single track (Shillingstone and Midford). Perhaps the real beauty of the S&D is that it could look like a main line and a branch line at the same time, depending on where you were and what trains were passing!
11 comments:
Just been viewing their latest youtube videos. Already looking like a proper railway. If they were smart they should already be location for film location work to bring in some extra income. Very impressive.
They'd make a great location for 1960s shots with that DMU!
The Burnham branch was single track though wasn't it?
A fantastic shot and one that currently is of course only matched by the GCR (and they have been around in heritage form for a bit longer!). It's totally right to say that the S&D was anything but a branch line; I was amazed just how busy this route was, especially in the 1950s and just how foolish it was to close it as a through route. The single track sections didn't help of course but there was still not reason to close the line. It would have been much better to have invested in it. still, looks as if that is happening, despite people like me thinking it would never happen a few years ago. It will! Well done to the folks at Midsomer - I am very glad I joined the society!
Yes, all the branches were single track throughout.
Not so much a railway-more a way of life!
Further to Spetisbury, Mr Sunshiner, which in your opinion will be, or is hot favourite to be, the next eligible S&D contributory development site?
yes, Midsomer Norton station and double track formation up to the Tunnel infill, when completed and given a tidy, would make a great location for any film that featured a railway in the story. the backdrop would be countryside.
I suspect the Sustainable Engineering Works will be the next step and so far Midford Up Goods, Midford Down Goods or possibly Emborough Quarry have been suggested.
There's also Charlton Marshall which is quite easy as it's in such good condition and only a mile or so from Spetisbury with clear trackbed in between.
There are also of course the branches!
Looking at Google earth-I guess there is ample former siding space for the Emborough site works. Not quite sure where Midford north and South Goods would have been. As for the branches is there scope for a new Wells terminus on the formation just outside of town?
The Up Goods at Midford is just to the north of the Long Arch Bridge, just outside of the land we own,.The Down Goods was south of the viaduct near the gate that gives access to the cycleway.
I don't know Wells well enough (railwaywise) to pinpoint a new station, but would prefer somewhere close to the city centre rather than on the outskirts! We've looked at an entirely new route from Wells to Masbury as a possible future route continuing down to Glastonbury. These plans are a long way into the future.
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