Our current magazine
Our current magazine is the autumn 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
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 ‘Western Region repainted S&D station signs still show the profile of the original Southern green enamel underneath‘.
Help sought for new museum location
Do you live close to Alresford, Hampshire?
If so, could you consider being part of the new joint museum team at Alresford? Find out more about becoming a museum steward.
Latest Press Statements
18 August.
Museum agreement between S&DRT and the S&DRHT at Midsomer Norton.
1 June.
A statement about the overhaul of the Trust’s Peckett Kilmersdon is available on this link.
Latest News
Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust on Facebook.
- Online Sales still open: Click on “Sales” at the top of this page or this link.
- A retrospective on the Watercress Line’s Autumn Steam Gala
- Video: the Watercress Line’s recreated Pines Express – Autumn Steam Gala
- Brighter weather due during the day for the start of the Watercress Line gala
- George Judd
- Burnham-on-Sea signalbox arrives at Ropley
- Former Burnham-on-Sea signalbox moves to the Watercress Line
- Museum agreement between S&DRT and S&DRHT at Midsomer Norton brings the two Trusts into a formal collaboration for the first time
- 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, explained here. The line’s early days are fondly remembered for its Prussian Blue engines and coaches, and later for the holiday expresses from the north of England to the south coast. The Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust keeps these and many other memories alive through its extensive museum collection and archives, engines and rolling stock, restoration workshop, events and quarterly magazine.
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 based at Washford Station on the heritage West Somerset Railway. The station, shop and museum are currently closed due to Covid-19 and the WSR not running trains. Find out more here 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, staffing our shop and arranging events. Your contribution is welcomed – you can join online here.
Photos, Videos, Modelling & Edington Exhibiton
Information about the extensive photo collection of our favourite steam railway can be found here , we also now have several videos. Check the latest on Somerset & Dorset modelling news and ideas, and learn from the experience of fellow modellers here. 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.