shepton by pass

(Courtesy SDRHT via Telegraph 30)

 

 

One of the issues that often comes up is along the lines of 'what will you do where there are houses/factories etc blocking the route?' It's not as big a deal as some people think, because there are various ways of addressing this. The actual choice will be based on a number of factors including cost, practicality, engineering issues and public relations.

One way is to use CPOs (compulsory purchase orders) to purchase blocking properties. A second way would be to bridge/tunnel. A third way would be to utilise street running, though this may be a little radical for some!

But I suspect that often the option will be a by-pass. The above map was drawn to show how this would work at Shepton Mallet. Actually seeing it on paper shows  that there can be other advantages to by-passing, at Shepton for example the station set up can be rationalised, a joint station would be accessed by both the S&D and East Somerset lines. This is cheaper and also handier. The above map also includes a Parkway station, though I suspect that by the time this becomes reality there will be few cars still on the roads!

So the principals established can (and will) apply to anywhere on the S&D and of course on the wider network. The old excuse of 'there's a house/building/car park/tree in the way can be ignored!

shepton update

(Photo Andy Lunness)

Info on the Shepton Mallet steam runs is hardening up!

Sadly it is not going to be a real narrow gauge train but rather a 7 1/4" gauge narrow gauge outline loco running across the viaduct. I've got 7 1/4" gauge in my garden so am quite fond of the gauge!

Bottom shot is almost certainly the loco that will be used, Tinkerbell no 3, which is used on the miniature railway at the East Somerset Railway, which opened in June this year. It's a pretty serious engine for such a small gauge.

I'd still recommend going as this may be the only chance to travel across the viaduct in the next ten years or so, although I suspect if successful this may become an annual event or, dare I suggest, a permanent miniature or narrow gauge railway may be installed, at least until standard gauge trains return.

we are definitely not alone!

(Bottom pic Mick Knox)

Just posted to the message board -

I'm afraid the problems with aiming at restoring any railway, seem to be people who have no interest in providing a SERVICE eventually. Its all about playing ( ! ) "choo - choo's" and thier own self importance. There are several railways where this attitude is prevelant.

To my way of thinking, the ULTIMATE aim should be LONG railways LINKING towns, villages and other population areas that will provide an alternative to overcrowded and unsuitable roads. I imagine quite a few people who are dead because of road traffic accidents on poorly maintained and overused roads would possibly be alive and well today HAD the railways been left and used, and they had the option of travelling by rail.

However, the point of the exercise above all else in 'preservation' should be, first and foremost, track mileage and the aqquisition of such mileage BEFORE any stock or buildings are envisioned. Maybe the East Somerset COULD have reached Wells or EVEN Cheddar by now HAD the priority been track miles as opposed to engine sheds etc! All very pretty, but what use is 2 miles of track which terminate NOWHERE ! People soon tire of the short little 'hops', but if the S&D could link, say Sturminster to Blandford for example, there would be a possibility of providing local people with regular, safe and reliable transport for shopping, business and leisure also, but not least: The railway would provide JOBS from staff, to engineering to all aspects of training YOUNG people towards a sustainable and progressive industry on the rails!

Ideally, the COMPLETE restoration of S&D metals to the south coast and Bristol Channel again, with ALL towns and cities LINKED once again. Wells, Glastonbury, Bridgwater, Wimborne, Blandford, Poole and Bournemouth with 'main line' rail links at Templecombe, Poole, Bristol and Highbridge so it would be possible to travel CONTINOUSLY by rail to say Minehead via GW and West Somerset or Portsmouth via Poole and Southern main line etc etc. In other words a new NETWORK.

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.