Latest Blog Posts
Another good read: Pines Express issue 291
Our Winter magazine is out now with yet another 40 pages of articles, photo features, news, etc! Join us now from £14.
Contents include:
- Modelling focus: Vic Whittaker's building of a working S&D 7F model reaches Part 3 - smokebox and running boards now in place!
- The viaduct at Prestleigh: Photographs of the viaduct from just before, and during, demolition.
- S&D stations - Henstridge: This may have been the smallest station but it wasn't always the quietest...
- 2B92 or not 2B92? That is the question...: Roger Newport with a discussion about S&D train reporting numbers.
- George Tucker - a photo selection: The oldest S&D driver, who had died in September.
- Percy Parsons: Percy tells us of some unusual movements during the ASLEF strike in 1955.
- Not another culvert!: A light-hearted look at how a history society responded to a less engaging subject!
- Great centre-spread photo from our extensive archive.
- 8 pages of news from the Trust and other S&D organisations.
- Our latest Sales List - a 4-page pull-out.
Read more...Bill Pike
The Trust regrets to record the passing this morning (Sunday 9 December) of Bill Pike, a former S&D staff member and a member of the Trust for many years.
Bill had worked with Percy Parsons [who was interviewed by Rob Bell in the recent Channel 5 railway walking series] and both had kept in regular touch since.
Read more...Trust's Model Railway Exhibition has 14 layouts booked for 5/6 January
Keep your eyes on the calendar this Christmas as the mince pies will hardly be finished before it's time for the Trust's Annual Model Railway Exhibition at Edington Village Hall in Somerset.
A regular feature in our calendar for many decades, this will be the 45th exhibition.
14 layouts are currently booked, as well as several traders.
It'll be well worth a visit - for comprehensive info., see our exhibition page.
Read more...
Our Winter sales list has a wide selection to tempt the S&D enthusiast
The sales list for the Winter edition of our magazine is now available and has a wide selection to tempt the S&D enthusiast in the run-up to Christmas.
We've S&D-related DVDs, books, coasters, sweatshirts and a new S&DRT mug plus interesting titles on Railway Newsreels, the work of David Shepherd and the role of women on the railways in WWII.
When viewing online, clicking on any product image will take you straight to the ordering point for that item on our website. Alternatively, when printed, all items have QR codes.
However, if you prefer the traditional way with a hand-written order and a cheque then we have included an order form page.
The proceeds from these sales help the Trust enormously in its restoration and conservation work.
Please note: last ordering day for Christmas delivery is 17 December.
Read more...Whitaker Tablet Apparatus being checked at Washford
Looking rather like a very large set-square, the picture shows one of our Whitaker Gauges in use at our Washford museum.
The Whitaker apparatus - patented by Alfred Whitaker in 1905 whilst he was Locomotive Superintendent of the S&D - enabled the automatic exchange of tablets between signallers and footplate crew without having to slow right down at the beginning and end of each single-track section.
To function correctly, the trackside apparatus has to be adjusted for the correct height and distance from the track and this is what the gauge in the picture assists with. It originated from Stalbridge and is seen here with Trust volunteer Paul Cracknell. Another gauge - also at our museum - was used to set the height of the corresponding apparatus on the locomotive.
Modellers and collectors to be able to vote for the models they'd like to see produced - including S&D types
Brian McDermott writes, "The Wishlist Poll will be running from 15 October to 3 November at: www.rmweb.co.uk. This annual poll provides an easy and enjoyable way for modellers and collectors to indicate to the major manufacturers and commissioners of ready-to-run 00 railway models what they would like to see made.
The 20 categories cover steam, diesel and electric locos; DMUs; EMUs; passenger and non-passenger-carrying coaching stock; freight and departmental stock; standard gauge industrial locos; and London Underground.
You will find many S&D items to vote for.
The accompanying Guide to The Poll – about 95,000 words plus 1800 links – is particularly useful if, for example, you don’t know the build dates of the various BR Mk1 catering vehicles, or whether one particular diesel shunter will suit your needs better than others.
S&D author, Brian Macdermott, is the ‘lead role’ and will be happy to answer any queries: brianmacdermott24@gmail.com"
Read more...Our Autumn magazine is out now with another 40 pages of S&D interest
Our Autumn magazine is out now with another 40 pages of S&D interest. Contents include:
- Informative articles; Shillingstone station and how WW1 turned Milldown near Blandford into a hub of S&D activity.
- Modelling focus; part 2 of Vic Whittaker's progress building a working 7F.
- Memories of Watery Bottom; Terry Stone's recollections of traffic through Lyncombe Vale, with his own photos.
- Great centre-spread photo from our extensive archive.
- 8 pages of news from the Trust and other S&D organisations.
- Our latest Sales List - a 4-page pull-out.
Join us now from just £14 via this link. New memberships will last until the end of 2019.
Read more...New Railway Walks TV series includes the S&D
Starting on Friday 21 September at 9 pm and running for six episodes is a new series on Channel 5 called 'Walking Britain's Lost Railways'.
The fifth programme covers the S&D and includes an interview with Percy Parsons who started his railway career on the S&D in 1937.
The full programme list follows:
Episode 1 –Scotland – Friday 21st September
Episode 2 – Sheffield – Friday 28th September
Episode 3 - Dartmoor – Friday 5th October
Episode 4 – Lake District – Friday 12th October
Episode 5 - Somerset & Dorset – Friday 19th October
Episode 6 – Wales – Friday 26th October
Read more...