If you ever wondered where the idea of a rebuilt modern S&D came from you need look no further than the constitution of the SDRHT at Midsomer Norton - 'to assist with any 21st century reconstruction as part of the national network or as a heritage railway'.
Like many other New S&D members I am also a life member at Midsomer Norton. They have always been an incredibly forward-looking group and have inspired all of us working towards rebuilding the S&D as a real railway. They have worked wonders at Midsomer Norton in seemingly impossible circumstances, the site was once earmarked for sub-standard 20th century housing! Yet even 20 years ago, whilst being told by the dinosaurs 'Midsomer Norton will be demolished and vanish forever' they had the foresight to plant the idea of a fully restored line, an icon buried deep in their constitution yet, in its own way, every bit as powerful as the 'Perchance it is not Dead but Sleepeth' wreath placed on the buffers of the L&B line at Barnstaple Town station in 1935, or the Festiniog leaving Blanche at Blaenau years before the rails reached her.
Everyone involved in restoring the S&D; whether a ticket office person at Midsomer Norton, a narrow gauge signalman at Gartell, the shop staff at Shillingstone, the people restoring old carriages at Washford, the Seales clearing the platform at Midford, Dean Cockwell powering ahead the taking over of Spetisbury, the New S&D legal team studying CPOs, Environmental Assessments or trackbed arrangements and all the thousands of others supporting and rebuilding this line are all working towards the same thing - making the inevitable possible!
2 comments:
As I said in one of my previous articles from an acorn a mighty oak is born. The S&D is starting to be reborn. Once the Southern extension to Somervale is built will it be the intention to build to Radstock and link up with the stub of the North Somerset line before heading North to Midford? I know the missing bridge over silver street will be an issue however I would suggest that an eye is kept on Network rail as they are carrying out some major renewals and backlogs and one might be lucky to get a couple of decent spans. I know the bridge at Reading that was recently replaced has been given to the Great Central Railway for their future intentions to bridge the gap at Loughborough and to reconnect the two preserved halves of that line togeather. Maybe the S&D could do the same, that would still leave the problems of abutments plus the highways and legal issues but it would be one thing less. Just a thought for all
Anonymous,
Very good points. It is vital for us to contribute to Local Plans in Bath and North East Somerset and the Structural Plans in Somerset and Dorset: these show each authority's intention for planning and zoning. These are made every few years.
A ready example of keeping the eye on the ball is Pike Bridge on the Stroudwater Canal. Gloucestershire County Council rebuit it during a road scheme. It took time. This has also been done in the centre of Stroud for the road bridge crossing the Canal.
If they can do it, so can we.
We have enough know how among members to build let alone sink a battleship.
ANY possiblity of railway restoration should be acted upon professionally and without delay.
Time has not waited for Peak Oil, it's caught it up.
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