Latest Blog Posts
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...Sights & sounds at Washford during the 40s weekend on the West Somerset Railway
Sights & sounds at Washford during the 40s weekend on the West Somerset Railway from Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust on Vimeo.
Here's a quick look around at Washford on 15 September when we were hosting a US army camp, 1940s roadwork gang, Women's Voluntary Service refreshments tent and many other exhibits as part of the WSR's 40s weekend.
Our latest Sales List with loads of interesting S&D-related goods is available to view
Our latest magazine Sales List has plenty of S&D interest - books, DVDs, coasters, etc! Click on the image below for a pdf copy.
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 on the last page.
The proceeds from these sales help the Trust enormously in its restoration and conservation work. Please note that, owing to volunteer holidays, no orders can be despatched between 21 September and 2 October.
Read more...George Tucker
His S&D colleagues have today announced the sad news of the passing of George Tucker on Sunday 2 September. George was 100 years old and the oldest surviving S&D driver.
His funeral is at Haycombe Cemetery, Bath on 21 September at 2.20 pm. All are welcome.
The photo shows George in 2017 on the footplate of our S&D 7F No. 53808 on the occasion of the Annual Special Train on the West Somerset Railway.
[Photo by Jason Baker].
Read more...
Great video featuring 53808 on a London-Minehead special
Here's a great video featuring several minutes of footage of our S&D 7F No. 53808 in action hauling 10 carriages.
The train was the West Somerset Steam Express from London Paddington to Minehead on 18 August... running just a few days after Network Rail lifted the ban on steam-only services in the West Country.
In the video, we see 60009 Union of South Africa on the run to Taunton where 53808 takes over for the trip over the branch to Minehead.
Read more...Unique first-numbered books signed by Prince Michael, Phil Collins and others - on sale!
Seven S&D No.1, first-in-series books signed by Prince Michael of Kent, Phil Collins, Michael Eavis, Tony Christie... and S&D staff are now on sale!
He's very much a legend of pop music and has seen many No.1s of a musical kind, but Phil Collins' signature appears in a different sort of No.1; the very first numbered book of Alan Hammond's Legends of the Somerset & Dorset Railway in which he wrote the forward.
Many of the other six books have been signed by familiar figures in public, and former S&D staff. The Trust is delighted to be assisting Alan Hammond with the sale of these unique books - see our website for more details and to purchase.
We've plenty of other items of S&D interest in our online shop, so why not have a browse while you're there.
Read more...