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!

Saturday, August 29, 2015

Spetisbury - not just weekends!


A wooden bench has been created on the up platform to match the one that used to be here in railway days.


Work continuing on our new shed.


Fence post made of old rail near the site of the Louse Lane bridge.


The Stour Valley looking at its best.

(All pics copyright Kevin Mitchell 28.8.2015)


Taking the opportunity presented by wonderful weather yesterday some of the Spetisbury team popped up to the station to do a bit of work. And who can blame them looking at the last picture above?

I wished I lived closer! Anyone who would like to get involved please contact the Project Manager at Spetisbury, Dean Cockwell - deancockwell@ntl.world

Saturday, August 15, 2015

08 for Shillingstone!




[Shillingstone} ha[s] just won a sealed bid for a Class 08 08995 0-6-0 diesel-electric loco. Built by BR at Horwich in 1960.
The 08 has worked at Westbury and Eastleigh in recent years as well as appearing at various Railway diesel gala[s] in the past.
In December 1987 the 08 was named Kidwelly at Landore T&RSMD, during a ceremony and carries a nameplate. The name was previously carried by a steam locomotive class BPGV5, number 2194.
The loco will first go for an overhaul before coming to the S & D Railway at Shillingstone Station.
Technical description.
The Class 08 design was based on the LMS 12033 series (later TOPS Class 11) design.
The engine is an English Electric (EE) 6 cylinder, 4-stroke, 6KT. Traction motors are 2 EE 506 motors with double reduction gear drive. The main generator is an EE 801.