Spetisbury 2015 and 2016

(Pic and text courtesy Kevin Mitchell at Spetisbury)

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So today was our last work party for the year, but we shall be back at the station on Sunday 10th January. It looks like being a big year for us in 2016, when we remember the 50th anniversary of the closure of the S&D on the weekend 5th/6th March, and the 60th anniversary of the closure of Spetisbury station on 17th September.
Thank you to all our supporters over the last year - Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Spetisbury Station Project team.

Shillingstone 29.11.2015

SHILLINGSTONE

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(All 29.11.2015 via The Somerset and Dorset Railway at Shillingstone Facebook group). 

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It's fantastic watching the progress from Shillingstone, which has had its ups and downs over the years! Today was time to move stock clear to allow for the arrival of the two steam locomotives that are coming.

The little Ruston loco was busy pulling bits and pieces of rolling stock including the mark three coach - punching well above its weight! These pics really remind me of Midsomer Norton ten years ago! The S&D is stirring all along the permanent way.

A brace of STEAM for Shillingstone!

SHILLINGSTONE

30075

30076

30075 

These locos could be found all over the place! China had loads of industrials that looked like USA type tanks but most were actually of Polish origin. This is a genuine Porter example, allegedly 7544 of 1943, seen at Benxi Steelworks in 1986.

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Fantastic and surprising news from Shillingstone - not just one but TWO steam locomotives are coming to the station, making that three steam locos based permanently on the line - and all three should be working for the 50th anniversary of the original 'closure' in March 2016.

The following is from the Project 62 website

Both ‘Project 62’, representing owners of 0-6-0T locomotive 30075 and 30076, and the North Dorset Railway Trust are pleased to announce that agreement has been reached between the two parties to move the locomotives to the headquarters of the NDRT at the former Somerset & Dorset (S&D) line station at Shillingstone in Dorset. It is hoped that the move will be completed by the end of 2015 and both Groups are looking forward to working together in the future.

30075 will be moving from the Great Central Railway (Nottingham) base at Ruddington where it has been stored for display since early 2014. It has not seen any use there as it has been out of service since withdrawn at the Mid Hants Railway in late 2010. The locomotive requires repairs to its fire box and a 10 year overhaul of its boiler and running gear. It is planned to return this locomotive to operational condition first, and as quickly as practical.

On arrival at Shillingstone 30075 will initially be placed at the end of the main line but will be re-positioned in front of the station platform in time of the 50th Anniversary of closure of the Somerset & Dorset next March. 30076 will be placed in the Cattle Dock siding.

It is not known if USA type tank locomotives ever ran officially on the S&D. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that this design of locomotive was hauled over the line in the lead up to D–Day in WW2, and then after, for on-ward movement to mainland Europe. The secrecy surrounding all movements of troops and equipment at this time means that any such movements are believed to have gone undocumented.

About Project 62

Project 62 represents the owners of Yugoslavian built Class 62 USA type 0-6-0 tank steam locomotive 30075 (formerly JZ 62-669 acquired from Store Steel in Slovenia in 1990) which, having been most recently operational since June 2004, is now out of service pending firebox repairs and full overhaul. The group is also involved in the current project to construct 30076 from 62-521, which was acquired from ArcelorMittal Zenica in Bosnia & Herzegovina in December 2006. Class 62 "Yankee Tank" steam locomotives are a pattern build of the World War II USATC S100 Class 0-6-0T Switcher/Shunters designed by Colonel Howard G Hill. Many of these locomotives saw service in the UK - including 14 on the Southern Railway plus a number in industrial service with Austin Motors/BMC at Longbridge, the NCB in the North East and on the Longmoor Military Railway. Four original US built and two Yugoslavian built locomotives are preserved in the UK.

Further Project 62 information and photos

Technical Information - specification detail for 30075 (62-669) and 30076 (62-521) with dimensions, tractive effort and other data

Background to Project 62 - for more detail about the history of "Yankee Tank"

Share Scheme - buy a share to join us and be an owner of your VERY OWN steam locomotive.

More info on this loco class from Wikipedia

Gartell Railway 22.11.2015

Activity from last Sunday at the GLR. 'Out the line' with four teenagers and two, er... 'mature' types! The four lads did a great job, and their ages added up to just slightly more than mine, and just slightly less than C.J's. (John Penny)

A view from the 'other side' just prior to us heading out the line. The banner is off No. 14 (section signal) seen on the corner ahead.

Red set 101 gets the 'Santa' boards ready for a school bazaar on December 5th. We're just running the trains so know no other detail. Come along and support it anyway!!

Chandler gets stuck in on Common Lane No10 with the replacement signal head. Although only 16 years old there is not much he can't do in the GLR wiring department!

Meanwhile here is Chandler's Grandad working on the replacement signal head on the other 'road' at Common Lane. Along with Matt 1 they're tightening their nuts.

Down at the 'End of the World' the lads get stuck into the vegetation.

Matt 2 gets to grips with his big weapon.

C.J. sharpens up his tool.

What is it with blokes and bonfires? The dry detritus at the foot of the embankment is carefully burned off as Matt 2 is talked out of doing a headlong dive into the flames.

Having just had a look at the old cattle creep, I snapped the boys building up to the last bonfire of the day. Not the most exciting viewpoint but at least it is a new one!

The light is fading as we head for home to bath the innumerable scratches, remove the thorns from our anatomy and have a good soak in the bath to get rid of the smell of bonfire smoke.

(All pics, text and captions by John Penny at Gartell Railway).

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The Gartell Railway has now finished running its regular trains for 2015. This is a great set of shots showing the really fun side of rail work - choppoing and bonfires! It's really good to see that the Gartell has a team of younger volunteers, something all lines need as older volunteers enter their dotage!

Gartell work 15 November 2015

Between Chandler and myself we had decided that he was going to post the pictures of yesterday's activities, but mine are a little bit different, so here they are. We'll be spending the next few days removing thorns from various parts of our anatomies, ready for starting again on the remainder of the clearance with 'The Thursday Boys'.

Looking North at Park Lane before the work started.

The lads make a start.

This was just from the morning's activities!

Finishing up for the day. In 25 years of working on the railway, this is the first photo I have taken from the field. We certainly made an impact on the undergrowth! The Thursday gang can look forward to the rest of the clearance work.

C.J. picks up the last of the scraps for burning. A satisfying day.

(All pics, text and captions courtesy John Penny at Gartell)

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I really miss this - I started at Midsomer Norton on the Monday (mainly) Track Gang, and it was a real pleasure and privilege to be on the line cutting back undergrowth, repairing fences and, eventually, helping out on tracklaying. Hopefully in the not too distant future we'll be doing this at Midford and other locations along the line!

S&D Telegraph 46

CHILCOMPTON

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Arrived this week - the latest edition of the SDRHT's superb magazine, the S&D Telegraph. As always this is the best magazine from a small heritage outfit in the UK. They outline their plans for the March 2016 commemoration of the closure of the original S&D, which include running trains over the weekend using a hired-in 4MT tank engine and three coaches, representing a typical S&D local service of the 60s. The Sentinel loco may well also be in steam at Midsomer Norton South.

It's worth joining the SDRHT for the magazine alone!

New S&D AGM 16 January 2016

HURN

FRIENDS OF THE S&D

The next AGM of the New Somerset and Dorset Railway will be on 16 January 2016 at the Avon Causeway Hotel, Hurn near Bournemouth, from 1.30pm to 4pm.

This is a very important meeting as we shall be looking at bringing in a lot more committee members and volunteers - if you care about the S&D it will definitely be the time to start making a difference!

The New S&D will be just short of 7 years old in January 2016. We own Midford and are of course cosmetically restoring Spetisbury. I've been Chair since the group formed in 2009, prior to that I was a committee member holding several posts at Midsomer Norton. I shall be stepping down as Chair at the start of the AGM as I simply no longer have the time to do anything outside of promotion, a role I hope to retain! I'd originally announced I'd be officially retiring as Chair in August 2016 but events have simply caught up with me (as anyone who's been following The Rail Thing will realise!) So if you feel you have the skill set needed for this role please let us know!

The venue is a Pullman coach at the site of the former Hurn station on the Ringwood to Christchurch line, which closed in 1935. There's still plenty of railway interest there so worth a visit just for that. We've always allowed non-members to attend meetings including the AGM, but not to vote of course.

We have two main vehicles for S&D activity on the route - The New Somerset and Dorset Railway and Wessex Links Ltd. It may be that we need to redefine each part's focus, so there's a lot to discuss.

It's imortant that anyone planning to attend give us notice of attendance as the venue's owner needs to know numbers. Food and drink will of course be available at the Avon Causeway (highly recommended!) and if more than 10 want to eat before the meeting we will need to pre-book the meals.

So would ALL members please email me on leysiner@aol.com to let me know if you are coming or not - non-members should also let me know if you are planning to come just so we have some idea of numbers.

Ballasting at Midsomer Norton

MIDSOMER NORTON

SOUTH

(Both 8.11.2015 from Somerset and Dorset Railway Facebook)

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A couple of fantastic shots from Sunday's ballast spreading operation at Midsomer Norton South. This is as far as I know only the second stretch of double track restored railway in the country - I remember it when it was an overgrown footpath, buried in the woods

Gartell progress

2011

2015

(Both copyright John Penny)

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Two pictures, about four years apart! Note the bush behind the pickup (Feb 2011) and behind the loco (Jun 2015) - this shows the amazing progress on this gem of a narrow gauge line on S&D trackbed just soith of Templecombe.

Shillingstone 1.11.2015

SHILLINGSTONE

Tony has managed to get these sides back on and has put the windows in for winter! He will now take a rest. When he returns he will paint the Nasty Ruston in the same colour as the other 'nasty Rustons' at Bala Lake the home of the 'Little Alice' story books.

Do I stop, Go or pause in the Distance, perhaps pass at caution? Probably stop at home! Wish I had paid more attention in the Induction Course!

A little sad. These were lovingly made to replace the machines that were taken off site when there was a change in management. Now the Signal Box has a full set, including one original from the Shillingstone Box and one to spare.

The gates have their undercoat and look resplendent......trouble is the rest of the white paintwork looks like it needs to be painted! Sorry guys....once you start something.

Look the correct colours have returned - no one will notice the hiccup! (I have the photos....)

I know...THE WALL....actually looking good....from this angle. — at - .

Not so good from here but ready up to the Down Shelter.

It's a long way up and a long way along- not to mention the trees (dead) rooted into the wall. I think that this topic may continue for a while!

(All pics and text via The Porter at The Somerset & Dorset Railway at Shillingstone Facebook group)

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Today the mist blocked the sight and the site was misty, However those volunteers that made the weekend had the results of their labour shown in full later in the day. Photos show new stock, new paint, new things, new bricks and things replaced by new acquisitions. (The Porter)

Spetisbury 1 November 2015

SPETISBURY

(Text and pic by Kevin Mitchell 1.11.2015)

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After a misty start it turned into T shirt weather again for today's work party. We are now looking ahead to next year and the events to mark the 50th anniversary of the closure of the S&D. Our aim is to make the 'up' platform building remains as tidy as possible, as this is the main focus point of the site. Of the three rooms, we want to clear the booking office and gents' waiting room of the bricks we have stored there, moving them into the ladies' waiting room. So to start off, we cleared the ladies' waiting room foundations and cleaned and photographed the ventilation for the natural chalk floor. Then we started to move the many re-useable bricks into the foundations.