Our current magazine
Our current magazine is the winter issue – read about it on the membership page, or click on the image.
The Trust’s S&D 7F No. 53808
Image © Tim Edmonds, http://www.wsr.org.uk/cgi-bin/snap.cgi?h=Snapshot&p=2019/05/248
Welcome
Originally established in 1966, the Trust keeps alive the memory of this most distinctive of cross-country railways with its wide variety of artefacts including locomotives, carriages and museum exhibits backed by restoration work, events and our quarterly magazine.
Washford S&DRT site and shop closed permanently
Owing to the Notice to Quit served on us by the West Somerset Railway, please note that the Washford site as occupied by the S&DRT is now closed and much of the rolling stock has now left the site. The shop no longer exists. Please see our online sales for all that the Washford shop used to stock, and more, and this page on how to see our artefacts from now on.
Newsletter
Subscribe to our occasional email newsletter here.
The S&DRT blog
A regular in-depth look at the work of the Trust. See the latest posting ‘Trust locomotives update‘
Latest Press Releases
18 August.
Museum agreement between S&DRT and the S&DRHT at Midsomer Norton.
See all press releases.
Latest News
Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust on Facebook.
- Online Sales still open: Click on “Sales” at the top of this page or this link.
- The Washford volunteers’ Christmas Lunch
- Edington Model Railway Exhibition cancelled
- S&D footplate staff at their latest meeting in Bath
- Edington Model Railway Exhibition on again, 8-9 January
- 53808 at the steam illuminations
- 1956-built Brake Gangwayed coach is the latest vehicle to move to the Watercress Line
- Remembrance wreath laid at S&DJR war memorial
- Donations of S&D-related artefacts are welcomed, subject to our collections policy.
The S&D Railway and the Trust
The Somerset & Dorset Railway ran from Bath across the Mendips and through Dorset to Bournemouth, with branch lines across the Somerset Levels to Burnham-on-Sea, Bridgwater and Wells. Read more about the route of the S&D. The line’s early days are remembered for its distinctive Prussian Blue engines and coaches, and later for the holiday expresses from the north of England to the south coast. Read more about how the Trust came into being.
News & Events
Keep up to date with the latest news about our heritage railway steam engines and coaches, our workshops at Washford, and make a note of events celebrating the Somerset & Dorset Railway, including area group meetings, listed here
Online Sales
An extensive range of Books, DVDs and other items related to the S&D can be ordered online here . You can buy Membership online and also download images from the Trust’s photographic collection as well as audio files including Ivo Peters, Donald Beale and others.
Visit Us
The Trust is currently based at Washford Station on the heritage West Somerset Railway, but the station, shop and museum are currently closed and our stock and artefacts are being relocated to alternative sites, most notably the Watercress Line in Hampshire. Find out where to view our exhibits and see our stock list here.
Membership
Our members receive a variety of benefits including our quarterly magazine. Many also volunteer to keep steam railway memories alive by repairing and restoring rolling stock, researching and writing articles and arranging events. Your contribution is welcomed – you can join online here.
Photos, Videos & Edington Exhibiton
Information about the extensive photo collection of our favourite steam railway can be found here, we also now have several videos. Find out more about our annual model railway exhibition here.
Archives & Collections
As well as the museum, the Trust cares for extensive material and items covering all aspects of the Somerset & Dorset Railway, available for viewing and research. Check how to find and access this material here.
Welcome to the Trust
The Trust works in partnership with others to keep alive the memory of the Somerset & Dorset Railway and its importance as a major cross-country route for the communities through which it passed.
As well as gathering and recording information about the line, through artefacts, archives and oral history, the Trust promotes the spirit of the S&D through its distinctive locomotives and rolling stock, still at work today.
The Trust arranges events including an annual Model Railway Exhibition at Edington (near Bridgwater).
As well as the information available on this site, we also have a regularly-updated Facebook page 
with over 3000 followers and a wide selection of short videos on Vimeo 
and on YouTube. 