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!

Friday, May 04, 2012

wonderful midsomer norton

Grab a ticket to support station

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Thursday, May 03, 2012
Profile image for Somerset Guardian
Midsomer Norton's heritage railway station held an open weekend to encourage more people to help out at the tourist attraction.
Volunteers have spent the last 14 years returning the derelict station back to its heyday.
Following relaying of a section of track south towards Chilcompton, 2012 has seen the Silver Street station run heritage passenger trains.
The increase in operations means there are opportunities to help with welcoming visitors to the centre or staffing the shop, ticket office, providing catering or becoming a guide at the museum.
There is also a chance for people to become involved at the station's Second World War pillbox exhibition – one of the country's smallest museums.
There are also positions in behind-the-scenes administration and management roles or joining the editorial staff for the Somerset and Dorset Railway Heritage Trust's award-winning magazine, The Telegraph.
Trust chairman John Buck said: "It's exciting to see the constant progress at Midsomer Norton station, over the years there has been much dedication and application in restoring this lovely example of Somerset life and industry.
"We are very pleased to be able to offer new opportunities for volunteers to get involved in this characterful and rewarding heritage centre."
Full details can be found on the trust's website www.sdjr.co.uk.
For more information about volunteer vacancies call Shirley Steel on 01761 411630.

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