Somerset & Dorset Railway Heritage Trust facts for kids

Somerset & Dorset Joint Heritage Railway Trust
First Santa service of the day leaves Midsomer Norton South on Sunday 16 December 2018
Locale	North East Somerset
Commercial operations
Name	Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway
Original gauge	4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Preserved operations
Stations	Midsomer Norton South
Length	1 mile (2 km)
Commercial history
Opened	1862
Closed	1966
Preservation history
1996	Somerset & Dorset Trackbed Trust signed a lease to start restoration of the station building and goods shed.
Website
https://sdjr.co.uk/

The Somerset & Dorset Railway Heritage Trust (S&DRHT) is a special railway line in Somerset, England. It runs on a part of the old Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway that has been brought back to life. This heritage railway is about 1 mile (1.6 km) long. It operates from Midsomer Norton South station.

History of the Railway

The restored signal box

The railway line from Evercreech to Bath, which includes Midsomer Norton South, first opened on July 20, 1874. It was built to connect to Bath and cross the Somerset Coalfield, hoping to make the railway more successful.

Changes in Ownership

Over time, the railway was owned by different companies. First, it was jointly owned by the Midland Railway and the London and South Western Railway. Later, after a big change in 1923, it became jointly owned by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway and the Southern Railway.

In 1948, all railways in the UK became part of one big national system called British Railways. The Somerset & Dorset line became part of the Southern Region. Sadly, in 1963, a report called the Beeching Report suggested closing many railway lines. The Somerset & Dorset line closed on March 6, 1966.

Bringing the Railway Back to Life

About 30 years after the railway closed, the S&D Heritage Trust was started in Midsomer Norton. The old station area was sold in 1969 and then again in 1995. The local council then leased it to the Trust. Their goal was to restore the station to how it looked in the 1950s.

The Trust has worked hard to bring the station back to life. They have restored the original station buildings, a signalbox (where signals are controlled), and a goods shed. There is also a museum in an old horse stable. It has many cool items from the old Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway. You can also see a pillbox with exhibits from World War II.

The Trust has also relaid the railway track. It now runs for 1 mile from the station. To make the line longer in the future, they will need to clear out a filled-in cutting and restore an old tunnel. The Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway Company Ltd. runs the public train services and shops. This Trust is different from the Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust, which is located at Washford railway station.

In 2013, the Trust tried to raise money to buy the old station at Masbury. They hoped to raise £500,000 but only managed to get £80,000. The Masbury site was then sold to someone else.

What Happens at the Railway

Class 107 train used for a special "Real Ale Train" event on July 22, 2023

The railway has many different trains and carriages. These are used for various events and public running days. On a typical day, the railway runs a three-coach train. It usually has a steam engine at one end and a diesel engine at the other.

Some of the fun events the railway has hosted include:

• Visits for local schools or private groups like clubs and tourists.
• Special trains for holidays like Santa and Easter.
• The "Pines Express Remembered" gala, which usually happens in September. This event celebrates the anniversary of the last Pines Express train.
• "Real Ale Trains" for adults.

Trains and Carriages

The railway has a collection of different types of trains and carriages. These are called "rolling stock."

Steam Locomotives

These are the classic trains that run on steam.

Number & Name	Locomotive Type	Current Status	Notes	Livery	Photograph
No. 7109 Joyce	Sentinel 0-4-0VBT	Under repair.	This engine is similar to ones used on the old S&D line. Its boiler ticket is valid until 2026.	BR black.
No. 92207 Morning Star	BR Standard Class 9F 2-10-0	Under restoration.	The Trust bought this engine in 2022. It will cost a lot to restore it, and it might be ready in the 2030s.	N/A

Diesel Locomotives

These trains run on diesel fuel.

Number & Name	Photograph	Current Status	Notes	Livery
English Electric 0-6-0DH D1120 David.J.Cook		In service.	Built in 1966. It is being fitted with a special brake system to pull passenger trains.	Green
British Railways Class 08 0-6-0DE D4095		Under maintenance.	Built in 1961.	BR green, Wasp stripes

Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs)

These are trains where each carriage has its own engine.

Number & Name	Photograph	Current Status	Notes	Livery
Class 107 DMU DMCL/DMBS 52025/52006		In service	These trains were bought in April 2022.	BR green, small warning panel

Coaching Stock

These are the passenger carriages.

Wagon Stock

These are freight wagons used for carrying goods.

Number & Name	Description	History & Current Status	Livery	Owner(s)	Date	Photograph	Notes
No. S1162S	SR PMVY	Operational.	SR green	Private Owner	1936
No. M94438	BR CCT	Static, used as book shop.	BR maroon.	Private Owner	1960	~
No. M44000	Milk Tanker	Static, used to store water for steam operations.	United Daries	S&DRHT	1927
No. B192437	SNCF Mineral Wagon	Operational.	BR grey	S&DRHT	1946
No. B756069	BR Box Van	Operational.	BR brown	S&DRHT	1951
No. DB983233	BR Dogfish	Operational.	BR black	S&DRHT	1959
No. DB994445	BR Sturgeon	Operational.	BR black	S&DRHT	1959
No. 321	Ammunition Van	Under restoration.	RNAD Grey	S&DRHT	1910.

Other Stock

This section includes other special vehicles used on the railway.

Number & Name	Description	History & Current Status	Livery	Owner(s)	Date	Photograph
B40W	Wickham trolley, Type 27A MkIII.	This small vehicle was restored in 2019 and is now operational.	BR maroon	S&DRHT	1954

Former Rolling Stock

These are trains or carriages that used to be at the railway but are no longer there.

Number & Name	Description	History & Current Status	Livery	Owner(s)	Date	Photograph
No. M59664	Class 115 DMU TCL	This train was used as a staff canteen.	BR line green	Unknown.	1960.

See also

• Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust
• New Somerset and Dorset Railway