Volunteers bring new life to the Somerset and Dorset railway

After a 40 year absence I had the opportunity to work on the P-Way again relaying track. This time it was actual reinstatement of a line closed in March 1966. The much lamented Somerset and Dorset Railway. Mourned by huge numbers of people and now at least part being reborn. 

View looking over the tracks towards the station a Midsomer Norton and the Goods Yard

The operational limit is currently around half a mile from Midsomer Norton station. The excellent P/Way team led by gaffer Trevor Hodge are extending the railway from this point.

Clearing vegetation

Hard to believe this was once a double track main line of the Somerset and Dorset Railway

In January 2016 track bed immediately beyond the relaid section was almost entirely overgrown. Walkers had forged a path through this dense mass of undergrowth but there was little to show of the double track main line. Keen observers might spot typical railway fence posts. At one point, farm gate posts were still in situ.

End of the S & D line in December 2015

Track bed cleared of undergrowth

In early 2016, prior to the nesting season, work began to cut down larger trees and bushes. The team cleared the track bed of the remaining bushes and scrub revealing ballast that had once supported the track up to the mid 1960’s. Indeed according to Tim Deacon in his book ‘The Somerset and Dorset – Aftermath of the Beeching Axe’, track removal from this part of the line took place around June/July 1968.

Track Bed

The P/Way team were thrilled to see the track bed looking almost as it would have just after the last demolition train passed 52 years ago. This train was probably hauled by Class 08 number D3506 later to be renumbered tom 08391. As again in Tim’s book there is a picture by Peter James of this locomotive in the station at Midsomer Norton on the 13 June 1968 and again on the 17 June.

We hired a digger from a local company, Penny’s, to grade the track bed. The picture above looks like it could have been taken 50 years ago but was, in fact, only 2.

View once seen from a train

Walking up the line reveals views across the valley that hadn’t been seen for many years due to the previous undergrowth.

Jinty 47406

As the P-Way team worked on clearing the track bed, the Somerset and Dorset Heritage Trust needed funds to pay for track materials required for the extension. The operation of train services once a month brought in some revenue. Thanks to the team at the Great Central Railway we had a significant boost to funds . This was because they hired Jinty 47406 to us to operate as part of the 50th anniversary commemorations of the closure of the line in March 2016.

Me driving Jinty 47406

This type of steam locomotive pulled freight trains on the Somerset and Dorset. The Jinty also used to bank heavy passenger trains up through Midsomer Norton to the summit at Masbury over this very section of track bed.

Getting ready to move track materials by shunting the Engineers siding alongside part of the relaid double track section of the Somerset and Dorset

Just after morning track inspection, we used the Jinty to position some wagons used by the P-Way to transport track materials up the line.

Normally the Trusts Class 08 D4095 move engineering trains. These locomotives were used extensively in demolition trains in the 1960’s. It’s quite ironic that one these is now utilized in reconstructing the line.

Rail and Sleepers

We loaded concrete sleepers onto the Sturgeon wagon and took them to the railhead to be temporarily stored on the former up-line track bed.

With kind donations swelling revenue, we eventually had enough money to purchase some rail. After delivery to site, the rail was moved up the line.

Some rail had come from Thingley Junction near Chippenham. We bought further track materials from Network Rail. In November 2017 there was a concerted effort to lay this track. Graduate engineers from the consultancy Mott Donald and two managers from the museums at RAF Cosford and the Iron Bridge gorge strengthened the Track Gang.

Crossings and Ballast

The locally named Hunts Crossing once used by the local farmer to move cattle over the Somerset & Dorset rails near Midsomer Norton

New ‘Whistle’ board just south of the Hunts Crossing that can be seen just by the recently erected Distant signal. Photo by Ben Pinkham

In addition to track work the boundary fencing required maintenance. If possible, we are utilizing remaining original concrete posts. A crossing point used by a farm has had ‘Strawl’ mat panels laid. We’ve erected Whistle boards some distance either side of the crossing.

Fresh ballast delivery of ballast being loaded into the Dogfish hopper wagon at Midsomer Norton. Photo by Ben Pinkham

The Dogfish Hopper wagon about to drop more ballast Photo by Ben Pinkham

The start to 2018 saw ballast deliveries. Ballast was loaded into the Dog-Fish Hopper wagon and the Class 08 hauled it up the line. This has then been deposited along the newly laid track. Over the next few weeks, the track panels will be lifted and packed level. There is still more fencing work to do. Hopefully, if enough people offer their services, passenger trains will be able to use the new extension by March 2018.

Freshly ballast on the newly laid track panels Photo by Ben Pinkham

How you can help

Two more track bashes will take place on the 10th/11th and 17th/18th February 2018. Can you join a great bunch of people that is the Track Gang at Midsomer Norton? Would you like to be part of the history of the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway? Details are on the Trust website. You will be most welcome.

If you would like to help with funding then you can find details here.