In 1965, an informal Group of like-minded S&D enthusiasts were meeting and reporting on the likely demise of the S&D railway. On Saturday 15 January 1966, Messrs Yeomans (Chairman), Lacy (Secretary), and Knighton (Treasurer) of the Group agreed that the organisation would be known as The Somerset and Dorset Circle. The Circle would invite members to join at £1 per annum. The Circle stated object was to gather together and to exchange information in connection with the SDJR.

Each member would receive a monthly Bulletin, which would be divided into four parts

• Part 1 - questions sent in by members, requiring answers;
• Part 2 - Answers to questions raised in the previous Bulletin;
• Part 3 - Articles and Items of Interest;
• Part 4 - the Model Section.

The first Bulletin was published in January 1966, and ran to seven pages. A copy of the S& D line's Revised Passenger Services from 3 January 1966 was enclosed. 29 members were listed, three of whom have maintained their membership continuously ever since. One of them (David Milton) is the present Trust's Senior Trustee.

In the early Bulletins, the tradition of much useful exchange of information on historical and current matters became established and has continued strongly ever since. The late Robin Atthill, whose books are the principle histories of the line, became a member in February 1966. His contributions to the Bulletin were scholarly and extensive, and still make fascinating reading today. By the end of 1966, the Bulletin had published 113 Questions and Answers, 49 Items of Interest and 8 items on Modelling topics. The membership grew to 49 at year end.

By late 1967, insufficient copy was being sent in to fill a monthly edition of the Bulletin, so from rhe beginning of 1968 it became bi-monthly. Film shows, meetings amd attendance at traction engine rallies were becoming common for the active members of the Circle. The Bulletin notes that some members were collecting and preserving relics from the S&D.

At the Circle's AGM on 12 October 1968, the possibility of preserving an SDJR 2-8-0 locomotive was discussed. A decision was taken to elect a sub-committee to "investigate more fully the feasibility of the project". By the end of January 1969, the sub-committee was reporting that it had visited Dai Woodham at Barry Scrap Yard. Mr Woodham subsequently agreed to sell 53808 to the Circle for £2,500, payable in instalments. The locomotive was released to the Circle in July 1970.

Concurrent with the purchase of 53808, the Circle Committee was seeking a preservation base, and decided upon Radstock North Engine shed. The S&D line was still in operation there, in conjuction with the output from Writhlington Colliery. So, Radstock became the ideal location for the first Museum devoted to the S&D.

• Radstock History