LAST TRAIN FROM EVERCREECH JUNCTION
In the Headlines:- Closure of the S&D
In this section - we rewind the clock and find out how the papers were reporting the news regarding the closure of the Somerset & Dorset Railway. The following articles are, or nearing 50 years old, and was recently acquired by me. Historically relevant, the following reports document the events taking place before, during, and after the closure of the line, allowing the reader to discover the real story on the ground as it was actually happening. Please click on the file documents below to find out more…
​
The End of the Line: an old Dorset station comes under fire
Dorset Evening Echo,
Wednesday January 7th, 1976
Railwaymen Protest to Premier: ‘Misguided Decision to Close Somerset & Dorset Line
Dorset Evening Echo,
Monday September 20th, 1965
The Last Post Sounds as Slow and Dirty Dies
Dorset Evening Echo,
Monday March 7th, 1966
Premier Crushes Rail Hopes: ‘S. and D. Closure is in the Public Interest’ he says
Dorset Evening Echo,
Saturday October 16th, 1965
The Running Down of the Somerset and Dorset Line
Dorset Evening Echo,
November 5th, 1965
Another Rail Shock
Dorset Evening Echo,
1965
Brave Signalman Expect Disciplinary Action
Dorset Evening Echo,
January 5th, 1966
Call to Bring Back S. and D. Railway
Dorset Evening Echo,
Monday November 14th, 1966
T.V. and Radio Spotlight on Somerset and Dorset Railway
Dorset Evening Echo,
December 23rd, 1965
Railway’s Reprieve ‘to End on March 7’
Dorset Evening Echo,
February 15th, 1966
Blandford Appeal to Ex-Train Travellers
Dorset Evening Echo,
Thursday February 23rd, 1967
Railway Village Angry Over Axed Line
Sunday Express,
September 19th, 1965
Blandford Station Staff May Be Cut to One Dorset Evening Echo,
Wednesday December 21st, 1966
Disused Rail Line Will Be Part of Village By-Pass
Dorset Evening Echo,
June 27th, 1967
Rail Axe - ‘We Weren’t Told’
Dorset Evening Echo,
November 18th, 1965
S. and D. Rail Service ‘Inadequate and Useless’
Dorset Evening Echo,
January 14th, 1966
S. and D. Railway Line: new hope after bus shock
Dorset Evening Echo,
December 14th, 1965
Now the Slow and Dirty’s Fate is Sealed
Dorset Evening Echo,
February 17th, 1966
S. and D. Line Costs £50,000 a Month
Dorset Evening Echo,
February 16th, 1966
Transport Minister Has No Power when Rail Services are Cut
Dorset Evening Echo,
January 17th, 1966
S. and D. Line Closes This Weekend: last ditch appeal to Mrs Castle to keep it open
Dorset Evening Echo,
March 4th, 1966
The End of the Line - From Blandford to Poole
Dorset Evening Echo,
January 31st, 1969
It's easy.Appeal to New Minister to Save Railway
Dorset Evening Echo,
December 28th, 1965
Sherborne Joint Rail Closures Battles
Dorset Evening Echo,
September 22nd, 1965
‘B.R. Act in Utter Disregard of Minister’s Decision’
Dorset Evening Echo,
December 31st, 1965
Blandford Railway Station to Close
Dorset Evening Echo,
December 31st, 1968
Train Service Changes
Dorset Evening Echo,
July 30th, 1965
Urgent Plea to British Rail Over Closed Line
Dorset Evening Echo,
February 4th, 1967
Support for Bid to Reopen Rail Line
Dorset Evening Echo,
April 1st, 1967
Last Trips on the ‘Slow and Dirty’
Dorset Evening Echo,
March 3rd, 1966
Last Run of a Famous Express
Dorset Evening Echo,
February 6th, 1966
Labour Official Quits Over Rail Closures: ‘party has broken transport pledge’
Dorset Evening Echo,
Friday September 17th, 1965