Latest Blog Posts
Trust receives 12 months notice to quit Washford site
20 February 2020.
Ian Young, S&DRT Chairman, is sending the following letter to members:
"Dear member,
I am sorry to tell you that we have received a Notice to Terminate the agreement at Washford by February 10th 2021. It has been sent by solicitors acting for the West Somerset Railway plc.
This is very disappointing news for the Trust. The reason cited by the letter from their solicitors is that the WSR wishes to use the site for their own purposes though they have not furnished any further detail.
We cannot be certain of the outcome of this move but, whatever that might be, it will bring challenges to the Trust. At the same time I would ask you all to be assured that this does NOT indicate the end of the Trust, we will continue with our present activities as usual. I have no doubt that it will cause us to evaluate, as never before, what our strengths, weaknesses and ambitions are. However the Trust has faced difficulties in the past which have been overcome and we must seek the opportunities which will lie ahead.
We are seeking legal advice, and a response has already been sent to the WSR via their solicitors.
In the meantime, we will endeavour to keep you informed via the website. Please note that certain information may be reserved for the Members’ area."
Ian Young,
Chairman, Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust Ltd.
AGM documents now available for members
10 February 2020.
The initial documents for our 2020 AGM on Saturday 25 April are now available.
The agenda, draft minutes for the 2019 AGM and a Trustee/Director nomination form are all accessible via the members' area of our website.
Please note that there is plenty of time to consider whether to stand as a Director; earliest and last submission dates are noted on the form.
Read more...Trust's spring sales brochure is out now
Our spring 'Sales List' is available now - click on the image above to view online or download. Then click on any product image to link straight through to the ordering point for that item (if in stock).
Included as a pull-out in our quarterly magazine, the latest sales brochure includes many new and interesting products with an S&D bias, plus other items appealing to a broader interest.
This issue includes:
- Something for the S&D enthusiast who has everything: Porcelain shed plates! Available as 82F, 82G, 71G, 71H, 71J or your choice of numbers/letter.
- Books of S&D photo taken by Michael Clemens, R C Riley and Gavin Morrison.
- Slate coasters, fridge magnets and key fobs - all with an S&D theme.
If you would like to take up membership with us, this can be included in the same order - it doesn't have to be ordered separately.
Do you prefer to order the traditional way with a cheque sent by post? That's not a problem - just print and fill in the itemised order form included on page 4.
Read more...Kilmersdon's last day in steam at the Helston Railway
27 January 2020.
Kilmersdon - built by Peckett's of Bristol in 1929 - was the last steam locomotive to work the Somerset coalfield. The loco was hired by the Trust to the Helston Railway in Cornwall in 2018 to start the first timetabled steam services on a restored part of the branch line since the original passenger service was withdrawn by BR in 1962.
The Helston have formed a great affection for Kilmersdon but now she must return to base for an overhaul - the boiler certificate is at its end. In this video we see Kilmersdon at work on Saturday 25 January 2020, the last day of steaming, with several runs along the line for Helston volunteers.
We also have a brief glimpse at the work in progress on the trackbed beyond Truthall Halt and finish with a selection of 'Guard's eye views' from the train on the return to Prospidnick.
Read more...Video from a very busy 46th Model Railway Exhibition
Saturday 4 January was a very busy day at our 46th Model Railway Exhibition in Edington.
Here's Callum Wilcox's video record of the event.
Read more...Trust's 46th Model Railway Exhibition will be first outing for Taunton MRG's Bishops Lydeard layout
3 January 2020.
Our 46th Model Railway Exhibition is on 4-5 January at Edington Village Hall, Broadway, Edington, Somerset TA7 9HA (full details here).
To be seen for the first time away from 'home' will be the Taunton Model Railway Group's Bishops Lydeard layout. Normally this 30ft-long layout is found on platform 1 at Bishops Lydeard station on the West Somerset Railway.
Along with this will be a dozen other layouts plus several traders, Trust sales stand, demonstrations and of course Carol's kitchen for snacks and refreshments.
There's free parking right outside but if you don't drive, the exhibition can be reached by public transport as detailed on our dedicated exhibition page.
Read more...Latest Ivo Peters DVD with remastered footage
Just released is this latest remastered DVD of Ivo Peters’ classic scenes of the mainly narrow gauge Ironstone Lines of Oxfordshire and Lincolnshire from 1961-1969.
Some of the most delightful and attractive industrial railways in the whole country which ran along the edges of fields, through small woods and in the heart of the countryside.
Available now from Trust sales at £16.95 plus £1.20 p&p.
Read more...
13 layouts already booked for 46th Edington Model Railway Exhibition
We now have 13 layouts booked for our 46th Edington Model Railway Exhibition on 4-5 January from 10am. Make sure to add this to your calendar!
Taking place at Edington Village Hall, TA7 9HA, there will be layouts in various gauges including N, OO, O, 009, etc. Full details on our dedicated webpage.
Along with free parking, trade stands, DVD corner, food and refreshments, and of course the Trust's own sales stand, this will make a great day out.
[Photo by Dave Temple]