missed - and future - opportunities

The old S&D served three major national venues, and the New S&D will do the same. One was there even in 1966, one has sprung up since, coincidentally on the route and the third was actually inspired by the S&D. All will be served directly by the New S&D.


First off is the Bath and West Showground at Prestleigh. This actually is already rail served, but only internally and on the 7¼" gauge. The Bath and West Show is a really big event, and is on at the moment. As road traffic falls it will, if it plans to survive, need a rail link. This could either be a standard gauge branch off the main line, or a narrow gauge feeder route that also serves the showground internally. There are regular events at the showground, many of which attract thousands of people, so the route would be opened many times a year.



Second is the Great Dorset Steam Fair. This was inspired by the S&D and the operating company is currently looking at an internal narrow gauge permanent railway to service the site in future years. No doubt the wheel will turn full circle and the restored S&D serve the site, again either with a standard gauge branch from Blandford or an extension of the narrow gauge internal railway to a new S&D station.


Lastly is the Glastonbury Festival. This is one of the most famous and important music events in the world. Currently special trains are run to Castle Cary during the festival with onward transport by buses (LOL!) Interestingly the old S&D Highbridge branch trackbed currently serves as an internal road within the festival grounds - so building a station within the festival site will be a doddle.

Railways in the future will serve the areas they operate in far more intimately than the old lines did with many branches, tramways and ultra light rail systems connecting to the main routes. The S&D will hopefully be a leader in this new form of community transport, linking communities to each other and to the wider world.

new picasa albums

Just added to the sidebar - new Picasa albums for Radstock, Bath and West Railway, Washford and Midsomer Norton South 3!

steam at Prestleigh June 2007

Steam close to the S&D again - it's June 2 2007 and steam reigns supreme on the delightful Bath and West Railway, the fast-growing 7 1/4" gauge line at the Bath and West Showground. Includes double heading!

bath and west

If you're in the area towards the end of this month and looking at items of railway interest along the S&D try to pop in to the Bath and West Show as the delightful 7 1/4" gauge Bath and West Railway will be running a full service. This is situated between Prestleigh and Evercreech and is less than a mile from the trackbed of the S&D. In fact if one of the East Somerset Railway's expansion plans comes to fruition the Bath and West and East Somerset (and eventually of course the new S&D) will meet somewhere in the area and provide a proper transport facility into the Showground once the roads have gone.

fresh tracks at shepton mallet

Another railway close to the S&D is the Bath and West Railway, at the showground near Prestleigh. This has been developed over the last few years by a small team from ESSMEE (East Somerset Society of Model and Experimental Engineers). The line runs during several shows each year, and will in fact be operating today between 4 and 6.30pm. This is an overall view of the workshops, with the signal box (an ex-customs building) in the foreground.



This is the current end of the line which will soon circle the lake and include a 100 foot long viaduct over a stream and waterfall!



This is the attractive run alongside an avenue of trees and a stream.



Work has already started on preparing the groundworks for the extension along the other side of the stream and back to the station and workshop area. When completed the line will be over a half mile long.

S&D Narrow Gauge Connections

The S&D has had a few narrow gauge connections. There was a 2' 6" gauge mainly roadside line linking Binegar with Oakhill Brewery, also a 2' (?) gauge peat line that crossed the branch and was involved in an accident in the 1950s when a branch train collided with a peat train in the fog. The flat crossing was apparently totally unprotected by signals! There was also the never-opened Tuckingmill Tramway at Midford, which was mooted in the 1980s.

Today we have the fantastic Gartell railway, just south of Templecombe, which although new build is very aware of the S&D connection. There is a small museum on site, also the three train sets are in the S&D colours of Prussian blue, Southern green and Midland maroon. Part of the Gartell Railway is laid on S&D trackbed, and is now being extended northwards closer to Templecombe. This is a gem of a line, fully signalled, very friendly and with a great family atmosphere - very S&D!

Operating days in 2006 are 25 June, 30 July, every Sunday in August, 28 August (Monday), 24 September and 29 October. Extensive train services are run, there are also excellent catering facilities on site.

There's another NG line quite close to the S&D, at the Bath and West Showground near Shepton. This is a superb 7 1/4" gauge line operated by East Somerset Model and Experimental Engineers, and will be running public trains at the Bath and West Show. Stage one was opened last year, the new extension along the stream towards the lake is now laid and should be operational this year.

As for the future it would be nice to see the Oakhill line relaid (possibly as a metre-gauge electric line?) connecting at Binegar, and eventually a link from Evercreech or nearby to the Bath and West Showground so that visitors can continue to enjoy the numerous shows there even after the end of road transport. And possibly the Bath Tramways, when rebuilt, will be narrow gauge including the link between Bath Spa and Bath Green Park.