Membership
To help support the Trust's conservation and restoration activities, why not join us? Membership can be obtained by using the drop down "Sales" menu from just £14 per year and comes with many benefits:
- Our magazine, Pines Express, four times a year. A wide variety of articles is complemented by photographs from the Trust's extensive archive.
- Access to pdf copies of every Bulletin/Pines Express ever published. That's 289 issues!
- The Trust's special train; running along the West Somerset Railway each summer with extra low fares and hauled by the Trust's restored S&D 7F, 53808.
- Free museum access and 10% off most purchases in the Trust's shop at Washford (Discount available online soon).
- Internet discussion group.
- Mail Order Service
- Participation in Washford events and restoration work
- 25% off standard travel on the West Somerset Railway
Plus, you will be able - and will be warmly welcomed in doing so - to take part in Trust activites, read on....
The latest edition of our magazine is the Summer issue with some great reading material and photographic content, including:
- Evening Star on the S&D: A collection of photos (on the front cover also) of the last steam loco built by BR, whilst on S&D services.
- Modelling an S&D 7F in 7¼” gauge: Vic Whittaker has built working models of GWR engines in this gauge before, but this is the first time anyone has attempted an S&D 7F!
- The rush to Canada - via the S&D: Headed by a fantastic photo taken on the platform, Dave Bown describes how emigrants to Canada in 1913 travelled through the S&D's Bridgwater North station and quotes press cuttings of the day.
- S&D stations part 13 - Binegar: The stationmaster at Binegar until the end was Norman Down, a familiar name to S&D enthusiasts as one of the key opponents of the closure. Although his was a minor station, its role on the line was more than what you might expect, as David Grimwood describes.
- Feedback & information requests: Now a lively part of the magazine. In this issue, there's a mystery Class 4 passing Masbury; more on the S&D travels of 43924; how 76026 - not in the best shape in 1964 - survived to the last weekend of the S&D, and beyond; further discussions about 75009 & 75027 including photos of them at Carnforth which is where they ended up after their S&D service.
- Centre-spread photo: The down SLS Special pulls up the gradient out of Radstock on Sunday 6 March 1966.
- No less than eight pages of news... and much more!
Take part
Volunteers are essential for the Trust to operate! There are all sorts of opportunities for taking part in preserving the memories and rolling stock of the Somerset & Dorset Railway. We cherish our volunteers and have established proper management procedures to encourage and support you.
For example:
We would love to open our shop and museum all week – can you spare some time to staff the shop or help with the museum? If you want to find out more, contact us at nigeldavies48@gmail.com
We have a small team working on wagon and carriage restoration and even engine overhaul, in our well-equipped workshops – all sorts of tasks to be done, for all levels of skills and all with proper supervision. Current projects include restoration of three original S&D Coaches dating from the 1880’s along with a range of historic wagons. Is this something that interests you?
If you are unable to visit Washford regularly, there are plenty of tasks that can be undertaken from your own home – contributing to the Trust’s magazine Pines Express, researching the history of the line, adding information about stations and other features of the line for the website. Is this something you could spare some time for?
If so, the Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust needs you. Please contact Nigel Davies at nigeldavies48@gmail.com
Our photos show examples of the types of practical activity at Washford (courtesy of Gerry Leyman)
