midford update

Latest Midford report from Tom Seale.

We were down at Midford again this Sunday. We cleared a lot of the rubble behind the parcels office and exposed the tarmac and drain, looks to be in good condition.

In the afternoon we burnt about half of the brash cut down earlier in the year. We had a visit from one Dave Hillary from Romsey, he had a good forage in the rubble pile down the embankment and turned up many interesting artifacts. Chief among them appears to be some sort of railway lantern, either from a train or signal I guess, perhaps people could help identify some of the others? (see above)

sustainability?

Short notice I know but do try to get along to the talk tonight at Avon Valley Railway, 7.30pm - David Cole will talk about the railway's efforts to become more sustainable. The talk is free, and there will be free refreshements as well! Location is Bitton.

I better not go along as I suspect I'd create a little discomfort bringing up points such as use of diesel locos, lack of a genuine public service taking cars and buses off the road etc, but at least the AVR are realising that this issue is going to become of great importance over the coming years. Personally I hope the AVR presses to extend so that eventually they can provide a full passenger and freight service between Bristol and Bath, releasing some capacity from the network line which partly parallels it. They should also be looking into the building of lightweight electric vehicles once a full service is introduced. One day we'll connect with an extended AVR in Bath, so I always follow this line's developments with interest.

facebook

I think all the various S&D Facebook groups have now been updated. The main New S&D one is here, please join if not already a member!

corporate identity

It's amazing what you can find buried in your own groups's website, which shows how much work David Bailey's done behind the scenes!

This is the New S&D corporate logo which I think captures what we're about very well. Nice simple lines, a nod to the past with the Southern region green, but very modern as well.

I'll be rolling this out on all my letterheads etc. I suspect this will still be our logo in 100 years - or even 200 years - time.

For full info on this part of our corporate identity please visit here.

beyond spetisbury

Had a gem of an email today from Mick Knox.

Would it be possible to build a PWay trolley with a small wood burning steam engine as power?

I would like to find out about the possibilities of building one with a small diesel engine capable of running on chip oil etc and thought a steam version would be great?

Anything like that would generate a bit of interest and publicise the S&D, together with idea of low cost travel. Planting the seed, so to speak, for modern railcars designed on basic, cost effective, low running cost principles. Not the air conditioned, sealed units of today?

 If it was light enough it could visit other lines etc.

I’m sure a steam PWay trolley, would look great puffing along the track at MSN, or Spetisbury or in the Midford Valley, towards Wellow? It would draw a crowd?

Do you know anyone with that sort of knowledge, without giving some other line the idea? It would need to be quite light so it can travel by road (yet more publicity) on a trailer to site. I know one of the volunteers at MSN brings his small digger on a trailer, so I’m thinking that sort of scale….

What do you reckon? Mad?

trailway pics

Photographer Tim Edwards sent me the link to these recent photos taken by him of the trailway around Blandford.

Link is here.

exposing the criminals

(Tunbridge Wells West 31.8.1988)

I think that one of the main thrusts of the S&D revival will be to question the validity of the original closure. There have long been rumours that the S&D was deliberately killed, mainly because of inter-regional rivalries going back decades. The S&D was NOT an uneconomic line, it had heavy traffic and only an idiot would claim that a main line, with originating passenger and freight traffic all along the route, which was the sole route to several large towns (and one small city), which linked Britain's only World Heritage city to its principal seaside resort, which linked several main lines and which had VAST tourist potential, needed to close. It didn't. It should be, at the moment, a major cross country route and a huge tourist attraction.

In reality traffic was deliberately removed from the route, in all cases taking a longer route (wasting extra energy) over lines that were not threatened with closure. There was no attempt to rationalise track - much of the route could have been singled (temporarily), and no modern power was ever tried, it was steam worked to the end. There's a clear case that the line was closed purely for political reasons, not economic. In an ideal world there would be an enquiry and the line would be rebuilt over the next few years.

Unfortunately we have to do it the hard way!

There was a peculiar and perverse political thrust to the attack on the railways in the 60s. I have no idea why the politicians at the time thought that oil would be an infinite resource, or that it would be economically beneficial to throw so much extra traffic on to the roads. They were idiots, pure and simple, and the British public for some reason let them get away with it. The people that closed our railways out of ignorance are nothing less than criminals. Unfortunately most are now dead so we can't bring them to account, but it is important that we move on and start getting our railways reopened.

There's a programme on TV this week that you should try to watch. No doubt it will be dripping in that vile nostalgia, and probably Melvyn Bragg, not the brightest of people, will lament something 'lost for ever', but I'm sure that amongst the mush and gnashing of dentures there will be a few bits that hit the spot! Details here, courtesy of Mick Knox.

spetisbury stirs ...

Hot on the heels of developments at Midford, Spetisbury is beginning to stir. There is now a project manager for the station restoration and he will be meeting DCC soon to discuss plans for the site.

If you have the skills needed (planning, bricklaying, carpentry etc) or if you just want to help with the physical restoration of the site please contact the Project manager, Dean Cockwell, initially by email at deancockwell@ntlworld.com or alternatively phone me on 0117 3738973.

gartell open

Don't forget that the Gartell Railway is open this Sunday 25th Sept, 2011. First train 10.30, with the last at 16.30. Trains every 15mins. Come along and relax on the Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway. And grab a bit to eat in the Pines Buffet!

midford oil store

These are the initial plans for the Midford oil store drawn up by Tom Seale. The dimensions are based on a site survey, where the oil store was is still obvious, especially now the platform area has been cleared.

One advantage is that one wall is still in position - the rear wall which also serves as a retaining wall!

All being well the oil store should be rebuilt in a few months' time, hopefully the wall, door and window being built in a weekend, with the roof to follow the following weekend. As always volunteers to help with all aspects of this should contact me on leysiner@aol.com asap so we can put the team together for this one smallish project well in advance.

midford update

These two excellent shots of Midford appeared in the Railway Magazine for April 1964, and show shots on 6 June 1963 and 1 February 1964. There's excellent detail here of the buildings etc. (Photos are courtesy of Trevor Eastwood, photographers are E T Gill and D H Ballantyne).

We had a small meeting here in Bristol to discuss the next steps with Midford. Both Tom and Stuart Seale were present, they have done most of the work up there.

The next step is to apply for planning permission for the whole site. Tom has agreed to draw the plans up. Hopefully we'll be applying in the next month or so. The first step once we have planning permission will be to rebuild the oil store which will serve as a secure store for tools, leaflets etc. Then we'll rebuild the station building. It will be rebuilt as closely as possible externally to how it was in the early 50s, before the canopy was destroyed in an accident. Internally it will function as an information centre and a New S&D office, so there will probably only be one internal partition. There will be display boards on the S&D, the other restoration groups on the route plus Washford, information on climate change, peak oil, modern transport systems and future energy sources, together with a shop area selling books and other items on the S&D, general railways and peak oil, climate change etc. The information area will hopefully also include a working model of the station as it was in the old S&D days.

We will also need to get water and electricity back on site. The rebuilding of the station will move us to a whole new level of funding etc, so the restoration will need to go hand in hand with a very big promotional push in the railway and local press.

If you have the skills and enthusiasm to help us in this next stage please do get in touch (email leysiner@aol.com or phone 0117 3738973).

When the Two Tunnels route is opened (next March is the target) Midford station and the Hope and Anchor pub will become much busier. We plan to put lockable cycle racks near the station building, emphasising our commitment to the future and sustainable transport.

Of course we shall also be repeating everything we've done at Midford down at Spetisbury, all being well!

meeting tomorrow

Do try to come to the meeting here tomorrow to discuss the next steps in restoring Midford.

Full details here.

midsomer norton share issue

This is a great way to ensure that the S&D begins its expansion as soon as possible! Not sure if you'll be able to copy the application form directly from this blog but if not please contact the SDRHT or see their website.

THE SOMERSET & DORSET JOINT RAILWAY COMPANY

SHARES APPLICATION

You are invited to apply for shares in The Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway Company Ltd., as originally formed in 1876 and reformed in 2009. An attractive share certificate will be issued.

The Company is a private limited company set up to operate the railway based at Midsomer Norton Station, and is a subsidiary of The Somerset & Dorset Railway Heritage Trust. Share capital will be invested wholly in projects and work that further the restoration, operation and development of the railway. Examples include civil engineering works and track-laying, acquisition and restoration of rolling stock, and development of railway operations. The beneficiaries will include visitors, enthusiasts, local communities and businesses, and the railway itself.

It is not anticipated that any dividends will be paid, but investors will benefit from knowing that they are contributing to the prosperity and growth of this historic railway.

The Memorandum & Articles of Association are posted on the Trust website, or copies may be obtained from D. Hill, Company Finance Director, 8 Long Lakes, Williton, Somerset TA4 4SR.

Shares cost £1 (one pound) each, with a minimum application of 100 shares.

Applications (using the form overleaf) should be sent to the Company Secretary,

S. Ehrlicher, 38 Alexandra Road, Frome, Somerset, BA11 1LX.

Telephone enquiries: 01373 467201.

THE SOMERSET & DORSET JOINT RAILWAY COMPANY

I/we irrevocably offer to subscribe for such number of fully-paid Ordinary Shares set out below, subject to the Memorandum & Articles of Association of the Company. I/we hereby agree to accept the same number of shares in respect of which this application is accepted. I/we warrant and declare that due completion and delivery of this form, accompanied by remittance, will constitute a legally enforceable promise by me/us that the remittance attached will be met on first presentation. Any such allotment of shares is made strictly on this understanding.

Number of shares applied for (minimum 100)……………………………………………....

Subscription amount payable (number of shares x £1)………………………………………

I/we enclose this amount as the purchase price.

Please make one-off payment to: The Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway Company.

[Any applicants wishing to use monthly payments through a bank, please contact the Company Secretary for a separate Standing Order Mandate.]

APPLICANT DETAILS

[N.B. Please insert the details of person/s in whose name/s the shares are applied for.]

SHAREHOLDER 1

Name (full name in block capitals) ………………………………………………………….

of (address in full, including post code)……………………………………………………...

………………………………………………………………………………………………..

………………………………………………………………………………………………..

E-mail…………………………………………Contact Phone No.………………………………

Signed………………………………………………Date:…………….……………………..

SHAREHOLDER 2

Name (full name in block capitals) ………………………………………………………….

of (address in full, including post code)……………………………………………………...

………………………………………………………………………………………………..

………………………………………………………………………………………………..

E-mail…………………………………………Contact Phone No.………………………………

Signed………………………………………………Date:…………….……………………..

back from switzerland

A few tasters from our week in Switzerland - highlight was a trip over the Montreux-Oberland-Bernoise Railway (MOB). Weather was superb throughout, except on the day we left when the village was shrouded in cloud!

Back to new member sign ups, donations and a plan for Spetisbury!

More to follow on Switzerland and the S&D!

switzerland

This blog will go quiet for a week from tomorrow as we are taking a week off in Switzerland. Whilst we're flying over to Geneva (for nostalgia reasons!) it'll be all trains from then on. The pic is of the local train from Aigle to Leysin, where we'll be staying. Leysin, a fifth the size of Midsomer Norton, has FOUR stations and trains every hour from 6am to midnight!

We're also hoping to travel across to Interlaken, using the Montreux-Oberland-Bernoise Railway, which I haven't travelled on for about thirty years! There have been a lot of changes on that line, all for the better!

death of the diesels

I just caught the end of steam when I was a kid, watching the Brighton-Plymouth at speed over the level crossing at Lyminster, saw a few on Ryde Pier, saw a tank engine somewhere in London and, from a great distance, the trains departing from Waterloo to the west. Everything else I saw was electrics, until one day, somewhere in Battersea, I saw a big green diesel crossing a bridge over the road. I was hooked. These were far better than electrics and were modern, so much better than steam!

But I think we all know now that diesel locomotives' days are numbered. As the price of oil starts to rocket the railway companies will quickly feel the pinch, even though their supplies will obviously be prioritised over the private motorist (who will be finished). There'll be a rush to electrify but will the money and, more importantly, the skills be there to do it in time? I doubt it.

But there is of course an obvious alternative to electric locomotives - steam! Not the lumbering old polluting and high maintenance machines of old of course, but sleek, clean and fast woodburners, using a sustainable energy source and providing an excellent power source for the tens of thousands of extra trains we're going to need in the future to keep us going. Their USP will be their use of simple technology and also being completely sustainable. They'll have the other advantage that even the old steam engines used to have - longevity. They could easily be built to last 50 or even 100 years or longer, with standardised parts that can be recovered and recycled when the locomotives finally wear out.

I suspect that just about the whole network will be eventually electrified, that's the current network plus the reversed Beeching routes, but local railways and many industrial lines may well find that steam is the cheapest and easiest option. We really are about to enter a new age of steam.

And what of the diesel locomotive? It's doomed. There won't even be the option of running them on preserved routes, diesel for public transport simply won't be available. I suspect the last of the oil will be snapped up by the military, by chemical and fertilizer companies and, of course, by the airlines. And even then it won't last long.

So get out there and photograph these magnificent creations. We may not see their like again ever, or at least for 150 million years, when oil may once again be available for a century or two ...

next new S&D meeting

The next New S&D meeting will be on Sunday 18 September 2011 at 7pm.

Location is 10 Bellamy Avenue, Hartcliffe, BRISTOL, BS130HW.

This will be a civilized affair with food and drink laid on free of charge.

The main idea is to plan the next few years at Midford, but general New S&D business will also be discussed. All members and non-members are invited as usual.

Facebook page for this meeting here.

seeds of change

(All pics copyright Gail Coleshill)

Gail is one of the volunteer gardeners at Midsomer Norton and sent these excellent pictures of some of the flowers and plants that are now covering the site. Midsomer Norton always was famous for its floral displays and it's great that the tradition lives on. I know that some of the flowers around site have actually seeded year after year and can be traced all the way back to the original S&D! She's very pleased that things have been growing so well despite the lack of rain. Our own garden at home has bloomed well this year, with reseeded flowers from last year popping up in the most surprising places!

With the greenhouse also providing plants Midsomer Norton is set to surpass its 50s and 60s glories.

The built environment today is pretty ugly in many places. Even the network railways with their security fencing and utilitarian buildings have a lot to do to recover their previous aesthetic appeal - but I suspect beauty will reappear everywhere once the oil runs out. The private railways have their part to play in this, by making travel an attractive experience (which of course the roads and airlines will never do) they will encourage more and more people to abandon the old fashioned and ugly alternatives. All rail journeys should be a memorable experience and something that we all strive to do as much as possible. Of course the S&D has a huge head start in this because the built environment is so attractive but, even more, the scenery through which we run is amazing. The forgotten years have not really changed any of this, if anything has made us even more determined to make the S&D the finest line in England again.

spetisbury returns to the menu

(Click for larger view!)

New S&D member Dean Cockwell has taken on the task on moving forward our plans for Spetisbury. Unlike Midford, where we own the land, Spetisbury is owned by Dorset County Council, so we would only be leasing the site.

The initial plans for Spetisbury is to restore the buildings and open the site as a southern information centre for the route. But Spetisbury is a far less cramped site than Midford, it was also on a double track section of route. This does suggest that it may be viable to lay at least single track eventually, which will give the site more of a railway feel.

Although we've not given a lot of thought to what the information offices will contain, it's probable that there will be information boards, perhaps a model railway, some sales items and also a lot of info and books on the wider issues of Peak Oil and Climate Change, as well as railway items. There will also of course be lots of information on the other S&D groups at Midsomer Norton, Shillingstone, Gartell and Washford.

We expect that the two information offices will serve to push the New S&D to the next level, with a lot more publicity, engagement with the community and a lot of new members joining. They will also be an excellent opportunity for members to work together on the nuts and blots work of rebuilding these tiny bits of the S&D.

midford oil store

(Copyright Tom Seale)

Latest Midford report -

When the oil store is rebuilt it will need to be made pretty secure against break-ins and thefts.

It seems that only last week the Somerset Coal Canal Society just along the road at Combe Hay Locks had their store broken into and had equipment pinched - see attached link:

http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/Help-trace-scythe/story-13246197-detail/story.html

The loss of this item will cause them an inconvenience as they are tidying up the locks in preparation for an open weekend next weekend

 

The photo shows the location of the oil store which will hopefully be the first part of Midford station to be rebuilt. We may even be able to recover original building materials for it. Obviously this can't proceed until the planning permission is granted.

 

It will serve as a small lock up for tools etc, and promotional materials and display table/boards, until the main station building is finished.

 

It's great that we are now at the stage, less than a year since clearing started, of looking at the next steps, which will begin to see Midford station properly returning from the ashes of the mistakes of the 60s!

 

 

responsibility - and opportunity

The phone calls started a while ago. Normally from solicitors, but today from a  prospective buyer ...

They are always along the lines of 'I am thinking of buying a house in (S&D former station name). What are your plans and how long before trains are running?'

If nothing else it shows that people are beginning to take us seriously, and that the idea that the line will return is now becoming firmly fixed in the minds of at least some people.

And it's a difficult thing to answer. We have no plans or timescales for reinstatement, only a vague idea, because everything is basically in the hands of future events.

I do always stress that, even today when there are still alternatives, houses near stations always sell for more than those at a distance. So a railway station nearby is already a huge selling point.

Today's caller was more worried about heavy freights thundering past at the bottom of his garden. Of course eventually that will happen, but it may be decades yet.

I tried to explain that as the roads vanish he'll need the trains as much as anyone, he seemed to think he was somehow unique and would not need them!

I added that the track may not be back for ten or even twenty years, which seemed to please him, but will it really take that long? I'm beginning to wonder.

People are making life changing decsions around the future existence of the S&D. Surely that will convince even the doubters and dinosaurs that we are, to quite Take That, back for good ...

sentinel star

Okay, so she's skulking in the shadows at the back of this picture, but Midsomer Norton's Sentinel steam loco is very much the star of this blog!

I'm pleased to say I had a share in this historic and very unusual loco until it was bought out a year or so ago by a team who felt they could put far more effort into restoring it. The blog shows progress in detail and is a fascinating record of the work involved in getting a loco back up and running.

the interrupted journey

Things are falling into place and have been for some time now. I'm talking about the bigger picture rather than specifically the S&D, though the end will be the same.

Britain began the industrial revolution at the end of the 18th century and railways were perhaps the most important element in industrialisation. Railways quickly reached every corner of the UK and in the cities rails spread into the suburbs and onto the roads. We were well set up for a proper sustainable transport system that could last indefinitely, a system that carried freight and passengers with equal ease. Light railways were beginning to fill the gaps.

But then some fool discovered oil and for some odd reason transport development switched to the roads, indeed it did for a few decades become the primary transport mode. But road traffic had a fatal and terminal flaw - it was dependent on a fuel source that had a finite life. It should have been clear to everyone that it was only a stop gap, a downmarket way of moving things for a short while.

But it didn't work out like that. The planners ignored that simple geological fact and acted as if road transport and the fuel that powered it could last for ever. They even CLOSED railways even though it was clear that they would soon be needed again. And the average person in the street began to believe that roads and cars would always be around, because we have short memories and like to ignore reality as much as possible.

The age of the car is now ending. Not just stopping or slowing down but ending - probably for ever. The car will never be able to compete with trains on energy efficiency. And you could even argue that with rails reaching every corner of the land as the interrupted journey is started again, and with the roads crumbling and motoring becoming out of the reach of most of us, rail will even have the edge on flexibility. As the Beeching cuts are reversed, then brand new lines built to fill the gaps, and light railways, tramways and industrial lines built to reach every business, factory and market, we'll soon forget that roads ever existed, except as quiet, unmade tracks that wind through woods and villages, somewhere to walk on a warm evening, or perhaps to take the horse out for a hack, or of course to cycle along. Nostalgia for the coming generations, shattered as a sleek and fast train flashes by.