Latest Blog Posts

S&DRT and Avon Valley Railway announce agreement for relocation of artefacts

1 April 2021.

We are delighted to announce that we have come, in principle, to an agreement to re-locate a portion of the rolling stock and museum artefacts currently based at the S&DRT site at Washford in Somerset to the Avon Valley Railway at Bitton, South Gloucestershire.

For more information, read on, or see the press release document.

Trust's annual Report & Accounts now available to members

28 March 2021.

The Trust's Report & Accounts for 2020 is now available to members in advance of the AGM on 24 April.

Also available is the agenda for the meeting as well as the draft minutes for the 2020 meeting.

Members can log in at the Members' area - your username is your surname and your password is your membership number.

Kilmersdon arrives at the Watercress Line

15 March 2021.

The Trust's 1929-built Peckett 'Kilmersdon' - the last steam engine to work the Somerset coalfield - arrived at Alresford today and was then towed to Ropley for assessment.

The loco, having been out of service for over a year, was stopped part way - ostensibly to check the axle boxes - but with the diesel shunter moved forward, a photo opportunity presented itself! 'Kilmersdon' had been in service at the Helston Railway in Cornwall for nearly two years up to January 2020 but had remained there owing to the pandemic.

New 53808 booklet covers loco's history right up to 2020

 

19 February 2021.

 

Recently printed is this second edition of our booklet about 53808 which describes the history of the locomotive from building in 1925, through going to the scrapyard in 1964, rescue in 1970 and the huge efforts that were made over 17 years to bring the loco back to steam in 1987. We then bring the story right up to date concluding with the loco's move to Ropley in 2020.

 

The original booklet was published in 1987 - this edition contains a new set of photographs including many by Ivo Peters.

 

48 pages, A5 size, printed on high quality silk paper with laminated card cover. Price £6.95 + p&p from our online shop on this link - or tap on the image.

Latest sales brochure now available

15 February 2021.

The sales brochure that will be included in our spring magazine is now available in pdf format to view or download; just click on the image or on this link. Viewing on-screen, just click on any product illustration to go straight to the ordering point for that item. If printed out, most items have a QR code.

If you prefer to order in the traditional way with a cheque sent by post, then we have included a fourth page with a handy order form that you can print out and post.

A particular feature is the new second edition Trust 'blue book' about 53808; the original having been published in 1987.

S&DRT and WSR agree extended notice period for Washford site

11 February 2021.

The S&DRT Board is pleased to announce that the Notice to Quit the Washford site - which was due to expire on 10 February - has been extended by six months in agreement with the West Somerset Railway.

Please see this press statement for further details.

New video explores 'England's Best Loved Lost Railway'

6 February 2021.

A new hour-long video has been published on the YouTube channel of Rediscovering Lost Railways covering the history, stories and architecture of the S&D and its branches, as well as what's left today.

Unusual for such a production, the video includes an informative and engaging spoken commentary. Well worth viewing.

Trust seeks new Museum Curator

3 February 2021.

The Trust is seeking a Museum Curator to assume responsibility for the extensive collection of museum items. The collection comprises artefacts, rolling stock and photographs, the latter undergoing a programme of digitisation. There is also a substantial paper archive held on behalf of the Trust at Somerset Archives in Taunton.

A role description is available here. If you are interested in finding out more please send an email to info[@]sdrt.org. (Please click on the email address then delete the square brackets; this deters automated emails).

Please note that, in line with other positions within the Trust, this is a volunteer role.

Ian Young, Chairman, S&DRT Ltd.