Latest NEWS





Last update: 20/03/2002
Planning Permission has been agreed at Midsomer Norton Station

We've done it ... thanks to the unstinting efforts of John Baxter (Chairman) and Peter Russell (General Secretary.

Tracklaying has begun ...! ...next stop ...Chilcompton...?

We (the S&DRHT) has launched a £250 000 appeal to restore the Midsomer Norton Site back to its 1950 condition, to create a S&D Museum on site, lay tracks towards Chilcompton, and to buy the site from its present owners (BaNES).

If you wish to donate , or know more, please contact:
David Schlufter.
Lodge 4
Cleveland Bridge,
Bath.
BA1 5DH

A Radstock Sentinel is commisioned. These locos were originally found at Radstock where they had to pull coal wagons under the "Tyning Arch" which had a clearance of only 10ft 10in. Both of the originals have been scrapped. No 7109 "Joyce" at present undergoing restoration at Tysely, is going to be turned into a Sentinel just by lowering the cab height by a few inches. It is hoped to base this loco at MSN.

A Thomas Hill 0-4-0 shunter (no 28533) has been overhauled and painted in "Prussian Blue" at the Yeovil Steam Centre. It is available for hire from The Somerset & Dorset Locomotive Company.
If you wish to hire this and other locos please contact: Eric Tyler on 01823 666035

The Trust hope to have the services of a 4-wheeled Hunslet diesel for tracklaying
See the Stop Press at the end of this section by clicking this link



Thanks to our friends at Bitton, a new Signal Gantry will soon be replaced at the site. See:


New Pictures follow (September 2001)

4 'vans' at MSN

Brakevan (LMS) in shed
Shillingstone Station is being restored!

Price unknown; previously owned by Dorset County Council.
New purchaser :North Dorset Railway Trust, aka Mr Paulley.

This exciting new group aims to restore the station at Shillingstone. A small museum and a small standard-guage track are planned.
The SDJR did try (hard) to have the building listed some years ago, but NDD Council refused on the grounds that "the station wasn't unique"
- an extraordinary excuse and very disappointing.
Best Wishes to this new Restoration Group.

  • A 2001 and a 2002 Christmas calendar is on sale containing pictures from the Ivo Peters' Collection.
    Please contact Paul Fear (4 Wiltshire Ave, Hanham, Bristol. BA3 2NB)
  • The up-shelter has been restored as have the neighbouring railings. See next picture:
    Sept 1999 picture








  • We still have plans for a move towards Chilcompton. The attitude of the local farmer has been most encouraging in this area. We give him our thanks.

    Midsomer Norton News in brief:



  • Fencing replaced on Down Platform. (See previous picture)
  • Down shelter now restored.
  • Security lighting and video-camera installed.
  • Station canopy taken down (very rotten!) and largely replaced.
    Interior partition now complete complete with "ticket" window.
  • Start made on repairing the Down platform edges.
  • New tools in place in dedicated area inside the engine shed.
  • New (or is it 'old') items for the museum display have been donated.
  • We are negotiating for an extended lease (21 years or more).
    Possible £75 000 grant for the Midsomer Norton project .. thanks to the tireless work of John Baxter and Peter Russell. (June 1999)

    Stop Press/Latest News

     From 'The Pines Express" No: 213 (July/August 1999 but sent in January 2000!):
  • The S&D Crossing Cottage at Bailey Gate has been demolished.
  • Washford thefts. (23/24July and 2nd of September.
    4 totems (Bath,Stalbridge, Templecombe & Burnham), and a silver plated S&D pocket watch and a phot0-cd player were amongst the items lost. a £500 reward has been offered.

    New Book on the S&DJR!



    "Life on the Somerset & Dorset Railway
    by
    Alan Hammond.

    220 pictures; Limited Edition. Cost 20.00 (+ 2.00 p&p) from the Washford Station Shop.

    Our Brake-van has arrived! (pictures soon!)
  • Somervale School is, we hope, going to be largely responsible for the management of the woodland associated with our site. a car-parking area here may be provided. The school governors have just approved of the scheme in principle.

  • One coal wagon (from Washford) has been scrapped. We hope to repair the other.
  • Membership now stands at 152+

  • As winter sets in, more work will be undertaken on the internal fabric of the station building.

  • A new membership card and 'flyer' is to be produced.

  • Grant Bids; There are a substantial number of these in the pipeline, but no responses yet. The SRB is looking good at present (Oct 2000)

  • A much-needed digger for the site may be purchased.

  • Because the 'tip' on the site is causing drainage problems we have written to BaNES to see if it can be removed.

  • We have been given a ground signal on permanent loan.

  • The Bath University track materials have been transported to the site.

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