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 restored part of the old Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway. The line is about 1 mile (1.6 km) long. You can ride it from Midsomer Norton South station.

History of the Railway
- When British Railways Owned It
- Bringing the Railway Back to Life
How the Railway Operates
Trains and Coaches
Images for kids
See also

History of the Railway

The restored signal box at Midsomer Norton South.

When British Railways Owned It

The part of the railway near Midsomer Norton South opened on July 20, 1874. It was built to connect to Bath and cross the Somerset Coalfield. This was hoped to make the railway more profitable.

Later, the railway became jointly owned by two big companies: the Midland Railway and the London and South Western Railway. In 1923, these companies joined even bigger groups. The line then became owned by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway and the Southern Railway.

After 1948, the railway became part of British Railways. This is the time period the Trust wants to bring back. 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 formed. Their main base is in Midsomer Norton. The station area was sold in 1969 to a school. Then, in 1995, it was sold to the local council. The council then leased it to the Trust. The Trust's goal was to restore the station to how it looked in the 1950s.

Since then, the Trust has worked hard. They have restored the original station buildings. They also fixed up a signalbox and a goods shed. There is a museum in an old horse stable. It shows off items from the old Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway. You can also see a pillbox with things from World War II.

The Trust has also put the railway tracks back down. The line now runs for 1 mile from the station. It goes up a gentle hill. To make the line longer, they would need to clear out an old cutting and restore a railway bridge.

The Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway Company Ltd. handles things like selling food, gifts, and running the public trains. This company is part of the Trust. It is different from the Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust, which is located at Washford railway station.

How the Railway Operates

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

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

Here are some events the railway has held:

Visits for local schools.
Private events for groups or tourists.
Special trains for Santa and Easter.
The "Pines Express Remembered" gala. This event usually happens in September. It marks the anniversary of the last "Pines Express" train.
"Real Ale Trains" for adults.

Trains and Coaches

The railway has different types of trains and coaches. These are used to carry passengers and for special events.

Steam Locomotives

The railway has steam engines, which are old-fashioned trains powered by steam.

No. 7109 Joyce: This engine is currently being repaired. It looks similar to engines that used to run on this line. It is privately owned.
No. 92207 Morning Star: This is a very large steam engine. It is currently being restored. The Trust bought it in 2022. It will likely be ready in the 2030s.

Diesel Locomotives

The railway also has diesel engines, which are more modern trains.

D1120 David.J.Cook: This engine is currently in service. It was built in 1966. It used to work at a coal mine. It is being fitted with a special brake system to pull passenger trains.
D4095 (Class 08): This engine is currently being maintained. It was built in 1961.

Diesel Multiple Units

These are trains that have their own engines and can carry passengers.

Class 107 DMU 52025/52006: This two-car train is in service. It was bought in 2022. It is privately owned.

Coaching Stock

These are the passenger carriages that people ride in. The railway uses British Rail Mark 1 coaches. These were the main passenger coaches on the original Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway from 1951 until it closed in 1966. The railway currently has five of these coaches. Four of them are ready to be used.

No. M34527 (Mk1 BSK): This coach is ready for use. It was built in 1955. The Trust bought it in 2004.
No. M26049 (Mk1 SK): This coach is also ready for use. It was built in 1962. The Trust took full ownership in 2021.
No. W9267 (Mk1 BSO): This coach is ready and can even run on the main railway lines. It was built in 1956. It is special because it was on the very last train that ran to Bath Green Park on the S&D line when it closed.
No. S1885 (Mk1 RMB): This coach is ready for use. It was built in 1953. It is used as a buffet car, serving snacks and drinks.
No. M25572 (Mk1 SK): This coach is currently being restored. It was built in 1958. The Trust got it in 2020.