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!

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

literary gartell ...



The new Gartell Light Railway (GLR) book, 'The Gartell Light Railway - the story so far' is now hot off the local printing presses and is in direct response to numerous requests for a published history and guide to this unique Somerset tourist attraction. This A4 sized soft cover book was written by a GLR volunteer who has been involved with the GLR since its very early days. The book details the development of the GLR from its inception right through to the present day including the extension of the line to its newest station at Tower View. Also featuring in its 32 glossy pages are a section on the GLR loco fleet complete with colour photographs of all the steam and diesel locomotives, sections on the comprehensive signalling of the line, a detailed description of the line and much more. The book, a 'must' for GLR aficionados, is keenly priced at £10.00 and is currently only available from the GLR shop which is open on all of the GLR 'open' days. For those unable to visit the GLR then the book is also available via mail order direct from the GLR for £10.00 plus £1.50 to cover First Class postage and packing via the Royal Mail. Please send your remittance to: GLR Publications, Gartell Light Railway, Common Lane, Yenston, Templecombe, Somerset. BA8 0NB.

Demand is expected to be heavy for this unique book so visit the GLR soon to obtain your copy or obtain one from the GLR Publications Department.