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, February 08, 2012

wood everywhere







An excellent day up at Midford today - so much is happening there! To all those doubters that still think the S&D isn't coming back - switch off now!!

Mick Knox brought his chainsaw up (after a day at Midsomer Norton) and has been busy yesterday and today clearing some of the bank above the platform. Result - a clear bank and LOADS of firewood. If you live around Midford please feel free to take some of the cut logs for your woodburners - a small donation to the New S&D is always appreciated!

We chatted about other possible locations for the Sustainable Engineering Centre.

To those few remaining dinosaurs who think this is still 1969 PLEASE think about actually getting involved with the S&D restoration, rather than trying to stop us doing the work! Most of our biggest supporters and workers are people who, just a few years ago, said this would never happen LLOL!
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5 comments:

yamfaz said...

Is that Mick the Chop in the bottom picture. If it is he must be from Newcastle as it was freezing where I was. Great work Guys!

Anonymous said...

Very impressive.
What a wonderfull job.

Congratulations

Knoxy said...

LOL. yes originally....

i was quite warm while working, but yes it was cold as my drinking water froze!

thanks must also go to Tom, Michael and Henry who were there on the Tuesday.

and Steve on wednesday...

it was just great to be there and lend a hand to the brilliant work undertaken by Stuart and Tom. I had a few chat with the locals, including the last stationmaster, who was able to point out where the mains power came in.

Anonymous said...

Great job, will be fantastic to see it back like it was in the 50s. Clearing the trees will encourage wild flower growth and grasses, one of the habitats that has dimished in recent years.

Stuart Seale said...

Well done Mick - thanks for your help. I know it was hard work and it was a shame that I couldn't be there.
Regards,
Stuart Seale