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!
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!
Sunday, January 09, 2011
blandford's past and future
2009 and this was the scene at Blandford where the footpath passed over the railway to the north of the station.
And this video shows the station in its running days - courtesy of YouTube via SteamTube.
2 comments:
Knoxy
said...
All that effort to destroy a transport link they will once again need. All that work for no real again, just to keep us hooked on oil.
Anyone read in the Sunday's (papers) about the growing unrest in the haulage industry and the possible return of the fuel protests?
Hooked on oil at whatever the price?
Deep water drilling, wars in the Middle East, that's the consequences of being hooked on oil. Such foresight by those that had a free university education? It was wasted on them, wasn't it? Oh well at least there will be employment in rebuilding the railway, if nothing else?
Sorry, forgot; we are all going to sit in future traffic jams in electric cars, aren’t we? That will be a joy won't it? I can’t wait?
Steve, this is very depressing stuff. We must start from we are now,and be actively positive. Your blog is usually full of good things so you are forgiven!
2 comments:
All that effort to destroy a transport link they will once again need. All that work for no real again, just to keep us hooked on oil.
Anyone read in the Sunday's (papers) about the growing unrest in the haulage industry and the possible return of the fuel protests?
Hooked on oil at whatever the price?
Deep water drilling, wars in the Middle East, that's the consequences of being hooked on oil. Such foresight by those that had a free university education? It was wasted on them, wasn't it? Oh well at least there will be employment in rebuilding the railway, if nothing else?
Sorry, forgot; we are all going to sit in future traffic jams in electric cars, aren’t we? That will be a joy won't it? I can’t wait?
Knoxy
Steve, this is very depressing stuff. We must start from we are now,and be actively positive. Your blog is usually full of good things so you are forgiven!
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