Rail Thing - Friends of the S&D: New S and D online shop

Welcome to the 'New Somerset and Dorset Railway'

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! Midford - Midsomer Norton - Gartell - Shillingstone - Spetisbury

Our Aim:

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!

Showing posts with label New S and D online shop. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 08, 2009

mousemats now available

Just in are the first batch of New S&D mousemats, which can be ordered from the shop here. They show a 2009 image from Charlton Marshall. Ready just in time for Christmas, cost just £4.95 + 50p post and packing.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

a big step (at last)

I've finally got round to ordering our promotional leaflet, which should be ready within two weeks. It's based on the already available home printed one, but will be a hundred times better! Obviously if you need some at your own railway please send for some.

Despite appearances this is actually a 2005 shot and a lighter version is used for the watermark background on the text side of the new leaflet. This was of course the Midsomer Norton Jinty impersonating the Bath-Binegar local ...

Also on order are mousemats with the main leaflet picture (Charlton Marshall). These should be available just in time for Christmas, and will be available through the e-commerce site.

Tuesday, July 07, 2009

arrived today

Just arrived today is a large range of 1/6th scale peelable S&D totems. These are priced at just 95p each and most S&D stations are covered. You can find them here.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

now available

I've just finished listing all the currently available 1/6th scale peelable totems - most S&D stations are covered.

To view and buy please click here.

Friday, June 26, 2009

treat yourself

to a full size BR S&D repro totem!

Now listed on our ecommerce site we can supply ALL S&D stations either in the very posh vitreous enamel finish or the cheaper paint and lacquer version. Cheaper than buying from the manufacturers, and every one sold raises around £25 for the New S&D!

(We can also supply ANY station - real or imaginary - in these formats).

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

totem storm

Within a few days I'll be putting a huge range of totems on the e-commerce site. These will be both full size (repros of course!) and peel off 1/6th size - with every station on the line covered. I've managed to negotiate really good discounts on these so not only will you be able to get them cheaper than elsewhere, but every penny of profit will go directly to rebuilding the S&D. I'm also looking into introducing the 'missing' stations in the fridge magnet series.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

ecommerce at last

As promised the beginnings of New S&D e-commerce has commenced!

Unusually the first items are going to be non-S&D, being a range of DVDs covering Europe's industrial narrow gauge railways. These are just £14 each with cheap post and packing. Each one sold will raise £5 for the New S&D!

We will be adding a range of S&D miniature totems, full size repro totems, books, DVDs etc etc in time but please be patient!

The eventual aim is to sell just about anything rail, transport, model, peak oil or climate change related, all on-line, with the potential to raise many thousands of pounds each year for the New S&D. Please support us whenever you can!

Click here to see our e-commerce site.

Monday, June 08, 2009

teasers ...

The two shots above are of a working industrial railway in Bristol. Any idea where? Those coming to the first meeting of the New S&D will find out!

This brings me neatly onto the next subject which is e-commerce! Our New S&D online shop will be up and running within a few days. The first items for sale will be a superb selection of industrial railway DVDs - not S&D I know, but they made me an offer (wholesale) that I couldn't refuse!

The other big news is that we now have our new website domain registered and the stunning new site will begin to go online over the next week or so - you'll find out when right here.

The meeting is now only a few weeks away, and we are already expecting too big a turnout for an intimate dinner party as originally planned, but don't worry - a positive cornucopia of food and drink will be available to all attendees!

Saturday, March 21, 2009

final destination

Sadly these are the last instalments from my February trip with Mick Knox along the southern section of the line.

With the light fading we wanted to get these last shots of the bridge over the Stour just to the north of Sturminster Newton. It wasn't easy to find the bridge, but after a few false starts and a very long trip along a narrow road, we finally spotted it across the fields. The ground was still soaked from the previous week's snowfall and it was nearly half a mile from the road, but we finally managed to get some atmospheric shots of this classic S&D bridge. We met another S&D fan near the bridge, plus two women who asked us, when they spotted Mick's Network Rail jacket, whether we were there to assess it for demolition. Quite the opposite, we said!

There is so much of the S&D route remaining and a really strong desire from people living along the line to see it back we really are pushing against an open door.

When I get back from Innsbruck hopefully the bank account details will have arrived and I can set up Paypal, both for membership and for products in the New S&D shop. We owe it to all the people living along the line, to all railway enthusiasts and to all lovers of the English countryside to get this line back as quickly as possible - we've all waited far too long for this to happen ...

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

evercreech junction 67/68

Three more superb Jeffery Grayer shots from 1967 and 1968. This time it's Evercreech Junction, one of the most emotive and iconic points on the old S&D. Even after closure the scale of the track layout and infrastructure at this rural spot is easy to see. Track was left in place partly for operational reasons, but also to allow the accountants to attribute unreasonable costs to the S&D to strengthen the very weak case for closure. Other scams included measuring traffic levels in school holidays and diverting freight traffic off the route, even when it was the most direct link. All of this stupidity will be investigated in the New S&D's work 'The Case for the S&D'. I've a finance background so I'm really looking forward to working on this part! I suspect that the morons engaged in this despicable activity think that time has covered up their crimes, but they're in for quite a shock ...

Jeffery's photos are from his superb if rather anachronistically titled book 'Sabotaged and Defeated' which should soon be available from the New S&D's online shop.

Monday, March 09, 2009

progress

I've just started the process of setting up a bank account for the New Somerset and Dorset - hopefully Paypal buttons will be up and running for membership, donations and items from our on-line shop within a week or so. We already have £50 worth of stamp payments to go in!

Friday, March 06, 2009

launched

Well, this is what I call low key!

The New Somerset and Dorset Railway is now up and running. Membership is open to all. I expect we'll produce a couple of newsletters each year, you will also receive a 10% discount on products through our on line shop. But most importantly you'll be able to become part of the team that will rebuild Britain's most scenic and iconic railway.

I hope that in the first year we will produce - at least - the first draft for The Case for the S&D, as well as build vital links with councillors, MPs, journalists and people living along the route. With something solid behind us and a good team the aim is to do a big media launch (I'll provide the champagne) on 6 March 2010. We may even have our first piece of land by then ...

Membership is by donation only (minimum £5 suggested). Please send payment to New Somerset and Dorset Railway, 10 Bellamy Avenue, Hartcliffe, BRISTOL, BS13 0HW, cheques payable to 'New Somerset and Dorset Railway'. I'll set up Paypal facilities shortly as well, with a joining button on the sidebar and also on the website. You can contact the New S&D directly via this page.

If you would like to take an active role please let me know what skills you have, and what you'd like to do!

Monday, March 02, 2009

anticipation

Just four days before the launch of the New S&D. From Friday you'll be able to sign up and get involved with what should be the most exciting railway project in the UK.

I've finally had a bit of time to work on the website, but I'm really hoping that a good website designer comes on board early and gets a REAL website up and running!

Other priorities will include setting up an online shop, something the existing S&D groups seem to have overlooked, together with bulding up a complete survey of the route with an accompanying Hit List.

WANTED FOR THE NEW S&D!

As we move from the early stages to a more mature state we need a number of key people to help us spread the word about the New S&D and rail resurgence in general. Ideally we'd love to have the following people -

SALES OFFICER - to develop mail order and internet sales, also attend events up and down the route to promote the line. At a later stage will be fully responsible for building shop stock at Midford and Spetisbury.

PROMOTIONS OFFICER - to promote the line via meetings etc. Would also liaise with local and regional government, working as a lobbyist for the New S&D. Would work closely with the PRESS OFFICER.

TREASURER - to take care of the accounts, make payments etc, and advise on financial matters.

HERITAGE OFFICER - to promote and care for all the heritage aspects of the line.

If you are interested in any of the above posts please email me at leysiner@aol.com

Ideally the sales officer position needs to be held by somebody local to the line - would happily split this role Dorset/Somerset if it makes it more manageable! Ideally the Promotions Officer would also live locally to the line. The other posts can be distant from the line.

WORKING AT MIDFORD - IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Volunteers are welcome to go up to Midford at any time to do restoration work - but please bear the following in mind!

Please under no circumstances park in the Hope and Anchor car park at any time, even when the pub is not open. There is plenty of car parking on Twinhoe Lane, by the gate that gives access to the cycleway. From there it is a very pleasant walk to the station over the viaduct! Please carry tools etc by hand.

Please email or phone me first just so I know there is somebody there and to give you an idea of what work needs to be done.

Within a few weeks we will have New S&D reflective jackets available. Please wear these whenever possible.

You are an ambassador for the line. Please talk to anyone who is interested in the line and if you have them please hand out leaflets. Be friendly and professional at all times!

Please keep the cycleway clear of tools etc at all times.

Please take ALL litter etc home, including cigarette ends.

Please respect all the wildlife in the area, always check if clearing that you are not destroying a nest etc. If in doubt please leave well alone.

Please use the Hope and Anchor pub for drinks and food.

We do not currently have insurance for volunteers. You are working at your own risk, personal injury insurance is recommended.

Please take care at all times and think of others, volunteers and members of the public.

Midford Station Appeal

The first aim of the New S&D will be to secure the station site at Midford and rebuild the station as a visitor information centre. This will only be the very first small step to restoring the route, but possibly the most important. As Paypal charges can be high it is better to make larger donations (£20+) by cheque wherever possible, but please feel free to use this facility for any amounts if easier! Cheques should be made payable to 'New Somerset and Dorset Railway' and sent to New S&D, Midford Station Appeal, 10 Bellamy Avenue, Hartcliffe, BRISTOL, BS13 0HW. We may be introducing a share scheme for the station so a record will be made of all donations and if a share scheme is agreed then all moneys will be allocated to doners and shares issued to the full value of donations made.

MIDFORD STATION APPEAL

Join and support the New S&D

Basic membership is just £15 per year. This entitles you to participate in all New S&D activities, receive regular news and info (by email and/or post), vote at meetings, receive 10% reduction on sales items and, if you wish, contribute directly to the blog.

YOU CAN OF COURSE ALSO PAY BY CHEQUE! Please make cheques payable to 'New Somerset and Dorset Railway' and send to New S&D, 10 Bellamy Avenue, Hartcliffe, BRISTOL, BS13 0HW

Donations to the New S&D

You can now donate specifically for those aspects of the New S&D that you personally have the most interest in. New S&D Steam Centre Plan is to create a base on the route (Templecombe or Evercreech are suggested) where steam locomotives can be shedded and serviced and run services over the route. These will be additional to the 'real' passenger and freight scheduled services.
You can donate any amount by clicking the Paypal button below.
STEAM CENTRE.

If your main interest is in purchasing and securing land and buildings then you can donate any amount specifically for this purpose by clicking on the Paypal button below.
LAND PURCHASE.

If you would like to donate towards lobbying local, regional and national government in addition to helping maintain a high media profile then you can donate any amount by clicking the Paypal button below. LOBBYING AND MEDIA.

You can of course make specific donations by cheque through the post. Please state what the donation is for, or whether it is a general donation, and send to -
New Somerset and Dorset Railway, 10 Bellamy Avenue, Hartcliffe, BRISTOL, BS13 0HW.

What group does what on the S&D?

The S&D was a large network, over 100 miles in all, and was the most popular line in the UK, if not the world.

For this reason there are a variety of groups restoring and preserving the S&D.

They are -

The New Somerset and Dorset Railway - a land purchasing and lobbying group determined to reopen the whole S&D as a response to Peak Oil and Climate Change, blending sustainable modern and heritage transport. Direct email contact. They also manage the growing Somerset and Dorset Railway ecommerce site here. They own and are currently restoring Midford station and will shortly do the same at Spetisbury, for rebuilding as information offices for the whole route. Facebook.

Somerset and Dorset Railway Heritage Trust - restoring Midsomer Norton station with plans to extend to Radstock and towards Shepton Mallet. In summer regular passnger trains are operated at this iconic S&D location. The station and area have been restored to their full pre-closure glory. There is also a museum on site.

Sturminster Rail Group - aim is to purchase strategic sections of the route particularly between Sturminster Newton and Henstridge to allow the running of trains in the future.

North Dorset Railway Trust - based at Shillingstone in Dorset has restored the iconic station at Shillingstone and is also in the process of laying track for up to a mile. They have a diesel loco on site and will shortly be taking delivery of steam loco 'Cunarder'. Facebook.

Gartell Light Railway - a two foot gauge private railway operating on part of the S&D near Templecombe, currently extending northwards. Operates about once a month.

Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust - based at Washford on the West Somerset Railway, preserving relics and rolling stock of the S&D.

Spetisbury Facebook Group - news about the restoration of Spetisbury as part of the New S&D initiative.

Midford Facebook Group - news about the restoration of Midford as part of the New S&D initiative .

There is also a private restoration project at Masbury station but PLEASE do not trespass on the site!

Remember you can help raise money for the New Somerset and Dorset Railway or the Somerset and Dorset Railway Heritage Trust (Midsomer Norton) by sending used stamps to us. These are quickly turned into cash which will help us set the organisation up or continue the work at Midsomer Norton.
ALL stamps are required, even the regular 1st and 2nd class small ones. Ideally they should be trimmed to within about 1/4" of the perforations, on just the front part of the envelope.
Please package up and send to - if donating to NEW S&D
New Somerset and Dorset Railway Stamp Appeal
10 Bellamy Avenue
Hartcliffe
BRISTOL
BS13 0HW or if donating to MIDSOMER NORTON Stamps for Charity (027 MSN)10 Bellamy AveHartcliffeBRISTOLBS13 0HW

We can handle just a few stamps or huge boxes of them. They raise £5 per kilogram.World stamps also wanted (without GB). For these we receive £19 per kilogram.

Please try to use nice higher value commemorative stamps to send your stamps to us!

Copyright

We do occasionally use images and text from other people. Wherever possible we do contact the creators to clear use, but it is sometimes hard to trace the original copyright, for example if we use an uncredited image from a third party website. Please be assured that all text and images are for strictly non-commercial use. If you are a copyright holder and we have used your text or images please contact us and we will endeavour to either remove the text/images or come to an agreement for their use. We all have the interest of the S&D at heart.