North Dorset Railway facts for kids
The North Dorset Railway is a special kind of railway called a heritage railway. It's located at Shillingstone railway station in the United Kingdom. This station used to be part of the old Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway.
The main goal of the North Dorset Railway is to bring a part of this old railway line back to life. They are working to restore about 366 meters (1,200 feet) of single track and add a special section called a passing loop between the platforms. This loop allows two trains to pass each other. They have already put down double tracks through the station area. They also added a side track to help with loading and unloading.
In December 2020, the railway asked for permission to extend the single track further north. Their big dream is to connect the line all the way to Sturminster Newton. This extension would work together with the North Dorset Trailway, a path for walking and cycling.
Many parts of the station have been rebuilt, including the signal box, the shelter on the 'down' platform, and the signal poles. The North Dorset Railway Trust also rebuilt a long platform wall and fixed the platform edges. The nearby North Dorset Trailway was even moved to run next to the 'down' platform on a new raised area.
You can also visit a small museum at the station. The beautiful Station Gardens are a popular spot for the 28,000 visitors who come each year. The railway's membership keeps growing, reaching over 500 members in 2020.
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Station Buildings and Facilities
The main station building at North Dorset Railway is a busy place. It has a cafe and a shop where visitors can buy snacks and souvenirs. The toilets have been updated to include an accessible toilet and baby changing facilities, making it easier for everyone to visit.
Museum and Signal Box
Inside the station building, there's a registered museum. It shows off many interesting items that have been given to the railway over the years. The signal box, which is a building used to control train signals, has been rebuilt. It now has one signal working.
Outdoor Areas
The southern part of the 'up' platform has been rebuilt. Above it, there's a picnic area with a colorful garden. An outdoor model railway used to be here, but it was removed in 2019. A new side track was added to hold a special catering carriage. This carriage is used as an extra cafe space and can be rented for private events. The waiting shelter on the 'down' platform has also been rebuilt in its original spot and is now used for storage.
Future Stations on the Line
The North Dorset Railway has big plans for the future, including restoring more of the old railway line.
Sturminster Newton Station
A long-term goal for the North Dorset Railway is to restore the line all the way to Sturminster Newton. In the center of Sturminster Newton, there's a 'Railway Garden' that reminds people of the old Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway route. The railway group has been talking with local leaders to plan a special entrance feature for the trackbed as it enters Sturminster Newton. This could include a signal, information boards, and a level crossing gate.
Shillingstone Station
Shillingstone is the main base for the North Dorset Railway. It's special because it's the only remaining station built in the original Dorset Central Railway design from 1863.
Stourpaine & Durweston Halt
This old station is currently owned privately and is not part of the railway's restoration plans.
Railway Restoration Progress
The North Dorset Railway has been working hard to restore the line and bring it back to life.
Track Laying and Engine Movement
In 2009, about 64 meters (210 feet) of the main track through the station was laid and covered with ballast (the stones under the tracks). This was done using strong flat-bottom rail and wooden sleepers. A diesel shunter engine, made by Ruston & Hornsby, was moved from the goods dock. This was a big moment because it was the first standard gauge engine on this part of the railway since a demolition train left in July 1967.
Building and Extension Work
In 2010, the railway acquired a special excavator machine. They also finished building the 'up' platform wall and prepared the cattle dock track for laying more rails. The station was also connected to the main drainage system.
In December 2020, the railway submitted a plan to extend the line. This plan was approved in April 2021, allowing them to extend the line 400 meters (about 1,312 feet) north of the station. Trees were cut down and bushes cleared to make way for the extension. A temporary path was created for the public to use the Trailway while a new path was built. This new path runs along the eastern side of the embankment, making space for the railway track on the western side. The new Trailway path opened in August 2022.
Work continued through the summer of 2022 to rebuild the embankment north of Lamb House Bridge. This area had been dug out after the railway closed to build a tennis court. In October 2022, they started removing extra soil that had been dumped on the embankment and moving it to complete the rebuilding. In February 2023, a temporary path was made at the north end of the station to build a pedestrian level crossing. Once this was done, the path was restored, and the last pile of soil blocking the track extension was removed.
History of Shillingstone Station
The history of Shillingstone Station shows how much effort has gone into its restoration.
Closure and Disuse
Shillingstone railway station closed on March 7, 1966. A few years later, the Dorset County Council bought the land where the tracks used to be. They planned to build a by-pass road there. During the 1970s, different furniture companies used the old station yard, and some industrial buildings were constructed, partly using the station building itself. By December 2002, the bypass plan was cancelled, and the station was left empty and falling apart.
Restoration Begins
Dorset County Council decided to get rid of the unused station. After long talks from 1998 to 2005, the North Dorset Railway Trust signed a lease for the old station site. The Trust's goal is to reopen the station as a tourist attraction. They want to restore the site to look just like it did in the 1950s and 1960s.
Restoration work began in 2006. Over the years, volunteers repaired the main building. They also built a copy of the original signal box, complete with the correct control frame and tablet machines. The Porter's office was rebuilt, and the Parcels office was restored. All the track work within the station area was finished by the summer of 2020.
Railway Vehicles and Equipment
The North Dorset Railway has a collection of different railway vehicles, including engines, coaches, and wagons.
Engines
- Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0 Diesel Loco “Ashdown” (Works Number D1186): This is a diesel locomotive.
- JŽ Class 62 0-6-0T Steam Locomotives (Nos. 30075 and 30076): These are steam locomotives. The JŽ Class 62 was a type of engine used by Yugoslavian Railways. Many were originally US Army S100 Class engines from after World War II.
- 62-669 (built 1960) "30075": Its boiler has been repaired and put back in.
- 62-521 (built 1954) "30076": This engine is complete but is kept as a display.
- DS1169 Ruston & Hornsby 48DS class 4WD DM diesel-mechanical shunter (Works No.305302): This shunter was new in 1951. It arrived at Shillingstone in 2015 and was restored to look like a former shunter from Yeovil Junction.
- Wickham trolley BR LMR Manchester, Type 17a (Works No 8267): This small railway vehicle, built in 1959, is currently being restored at Shillingstone.
Coaches
- MK1 BR M25424 (Built 1957): This passenger coach was bought by another railway first, then sold to Shillingstone in 2011.
Wagons
- Senior Naval Stores Officer (SNSO), 10 ton 4w van, SNSO 535 (Built 1910): This van was originally for the Admiralty. It was donated to Shillingstone in 2005 and is currently being restored.
- Esso 4w Fuel Oil Tank 3957 (Departmental No DB999088): This tank wagon used to carry waste oil. It was later moved to Shillingstone.
- L&NWR 4w Non-Vent 10 Ton Box Van, Diagram number 88 (Navy number RNAD 335): This box van moved to Shillingstone in February 2016 and is currently being restored.
- GWR 10t Ventilated Van 11451 (Code: MINK) (Built 1901): This ventilated van was built by the Great Western Railway. It moved to Shillingstone in February 2016.
- BR Dogfish ballast wagon B983184: This type of wagon was used to carry ballast (stones for the track). Many were built, and some were still in use until 2006. This one moved to Shillingstone in 2013.
- BR ADB904131, 21 ton lowmac transporter wagon (Built 1949): This wagon was used to transport heavy items.
- BR Standard Brake Van B950885 (Built 1950): This brake van is currently being restored.
Images for kids
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The main building at Shillingstone Station being refurbished in Southern Railway colours, October 2007
