The Trusts Involved in the S&DJR.

One organisation in particular has tried to uphold the memory of the S&D, The S&D Railway Trust.
The Trust started as the S&D Railway Circle in 1966, with the prime aim of collating and circulating information on the S&DJR. In 1969, Radstock North station, engine shed and yard was leased as a base to house a working Railway Museum.
In 1975, the Trust's lease at Radstock was terminated and the Museum moved to Washford (map)
...on the... West Somerset Railway (Unofficial) (at Washford. Home of 7F 53808. This is an "unofficial site".)
Many of the Trust's extensive collection of S&DJR relics are on display in the Museum.
The items are changed at intervals, and illustrate various aspects of Somerset and Dorset railway history. Relics from other railway companies are also displayed and a collection of archival films, still photographs, books and documents is available to Trust members wishing to study particular topics. The Trust has Station Stewards for most of the line's stations who can supply information which might take an individual literally years to research. Loco and Rolling Stock Stewards are also on hand to help.
A working reconstruction of Midford signalbox has been mounted in Washford signal cabin, and S&D style signals can be operated by visitors to the Museum.
The pride of the Trust's collection of rolling stock is No-53808 (S&DJR No.88), built

in 1925 by Robert Stephenson & Co. Ltd. as part of a second batch of 2-8-0 mineral locos designed by H. Fowler for the S&DJR. 53808 was withdrawn from service in March 1964 and sold to H. Woodham & Sons at Barry Dock, from whom she was purchased by the Trust in 1970.
53808 at Shillingstone on an up special in Sept.1962.
It is not the policy of the Trust to buy or develop any part of the trackbed (still bitter feelings after the Radstock move), however it is more than willing to add its support and expertise to those groups who wish to.
The Trust produce an award winning magazine called "The Pines Express" (named after the most famous of the express trains on the S&D from the North and Midlands of England to the seaside resort of Bournemouth).

The author of this has been, and is, a member of this Trust and has tried to preserve the trackbed from further demolition by campaigning to the local councils, the Government, MEPs, Sainsbury's, and even HRH The Prince of Wales. However it was felt by a few others and myself that we would have more scope for action if we set up a satellite Trust, hence : "The S&Dorset Railway Heritage Trust.". more detail

In the last 18 months Shillingstone station is being restored. Please see their excellent site
Shillingsone. A small museum and a small standard-guage track are planned.

Other Trusts/Organisation
The Somerset and Dorset Railway Restoration Trust
In the last few years a new player/trust has appeared on the scene run by Bath business-man David Edwards. He and his experienced team are planning the ambitious project of re-opening the Radstock to Shepton Mallet part of the ex S&D and run trains yet again. He had hoped that money would be forthcoming from the Millenium Committee. All the planning has been done by experts/professionals and is well documented. Naturally there are problems: some landowners may not play ball and one of the local councils is not too enthusiastic. However we wish him well. If he succeeds he will need to negotiate with the Trackbed Trust to run his trains over their metals at Midsomer Norton.
It is understood that Charitable status has been applied for.

Unfortunately, the Trust has had to vacate the Radstock site.

At the time of writin(July 2002 the status of this organisation is unknown.

Mr Skinnerton owns Midford station. He hopes to re-open a section from the site of the signal box at Midford to Long Arch bridge. A DMU might be run on the line. Once this is in place he hopes, piecemeal, to open Midford to Devonshire Tunnel; Devonshire Tunnel to Oldfield Park; and Midford to Radsock. Mr Skinnerton would not fund any of this himself; he would lease the trackbed to interested parties.

Mr S Weeks. Mr Weeks owns Midford and Tuckingmill viaduct (some dispute here). He has stated that he wishes to place camping coaches on top of these structures.

Stour Valley Tramway
(Clare Freeman's Group) Have already made a start on the trackbed at Charlton Marshall, to re-open it as a walk/cycleway. SUSTRANS is planning to extend this in both directions, from Blandford to south of Corfe Mullen.

Some of the above information from Peter Cattermole's article in "The Pines Express" (no.198 Feb.1997)

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