MIDSOMER NORTON

Somerset & Dorset Railway Heritage Trust

at Midsomer Norton

Former Midsomer Norton South Railway Station pictured during the 1980's

A committee was formed in 1992, and a campaign was launched to save this important part of the area’s railway history was to prove successful. The site was sold in 1995 to Wansdyke District Council, who then leased it to the newly-founded Somerset & Dorset Trackbed Trust (now incorporated into the Somerset & Dorset Railway Heritage Trust). Their initial aim was to set up a heritage railway centre and museum here.

Work to reverse nearly three decades of neglect and vegetation overgrowth commenced in 1996.

On 19th May 2002 volunteers began laying the first sections of standard gauge track to reside on the former S&D mainline trackbed since the rails were lifted after closure in March 1966. As a prelude to this - a short section of track was laid in and near the goods shed. In the first quarter of 2003 over 2,000 tonnes of spoil was removed from the cutting south of the station, uncovering over 700 feet of the original ‘down’ retaining wall and loading gauge. With the trackbed now cleared, work could progress on relaying the first ¼ mile extension of running line.

Midsomer Norton back in the early 1990's looked seemingly at odds with the modern world - the station buildings defiantly standing testament to its proud railway past. It was one of only a few S&D structures left remaining intact. Its future was uncertain after being vacated by Norton Radstock College, and was put on the market for possible demolition and redevelopment. However, destiny was to prove kind and throw a lifeline to this iconic part of the Somerset & Dorset Railway. Over the following years it was to undergo full restoration to its 1950's heyday and go on to form part of a highly successful and expanding heritage railway operation.

Midsomer Norton Station site as pictured during the 1980’s (c) Barry Lewis)

Saturday July 16th - ’Reopening Day’, was a momentous day for volunteers of the trust as steam final returned to Midsomer Norton after an absence of 39 years. Many came from near and far to witness this event over two successive weekends. The Jinty was on loan from the Spa Valley Railway, for the occasion it was specially renumbered ‘47496’ to resemble the identity of a classmate at Radstock, and proudly adorned a ‘Pines Express’ headboard. The footplate crew consisted of Geoff Akers, John Sawyer and Ian Bunnett.

Jinty No. 47493 at Midsomer Norton South Station (July 2005)

Trust volunteer Graeme Mayes after carefully studying photographs of the original signal box alongside John Rideout began reconstruction of the signal box in 2006, starting with the construction of the stone base and later tackling the woodwork of the upper section. The 24 lever frame was donated by the Branksome Trust and was installed in 2007. The station’s greenhouse that sits alongside the signal box has also been rebuilt. A semaphore signal was erected at the end of the platform nearest the Silver Street road.

Midsomer Norton South signal box under reconstruction during 2006

In January 2016 - Bath & North East Somerset Council awarded the Trust a 99 year lease of the station site.

A third extension (approximately 550 yards in length) to the running line was announced. Negotiations regarding the lease from the Duchy of Cornwall of ½ mile of former trackbed leading up to the foot of the infilled Chilcompton cutting has now been completed. In January 2016 preliminary clearance and survey of the next extension has been carried out. With permission granted to proceed with clearance work on this section, on February 21st volunteers began the task of removing decades of overgrowth. When completed, the running line will extend to a mile.

The trackbed of the third extension lies beyond the boundary fence

Sentinel 7109 locomotive after a successful test run (February 2016)

After many years of hard work by Trust members Andy Chapman and Nigel Dickinson, prototype Sentinel 7109 finally left the goods shed under its own steam on the 18th February 2016. The triumphant restoration duo were joined by ex-Bath Green Park fireman Geoff Akers after a successful test run of the Sentinel up the 1:50 bank from Midsomer Norton. The engine was issued with a boiler certificate on the 24th February, just in time for the forthcoming S&D 50 commemorations. After some finishing touches taking place to the loco - 9th July 2016 was a day for celebration as Sentinel 7109 was officially renamed 'Joyce' by visiting Antiques Roadshow expert and railway author Paul Atterbury. 'Joyce' undertook her first official public service on 13th November.

Sentinel 7109 after a successful test run, seen pictured with Andy Chapman, ex-Bath Green Park fireman Geoff Akers and Nigel Dickinson

'Antiques Roadshow' expert Paul Atterbury at Midsomer Norton South Station officially recommissions Sentinel 7109 'Joyce' into public service

(Right) Sentinel 7109 'Joyce' is officially recommissioned into public service by 'Antiques Roadshow' expert Paul Atterbury, pictured with Nigel Dickinson and Andy Chapman

Photographic Tour of Midsomer Norton

First panels of mainline S&D track being relaid at Midsomer Norton

Boundary fence at Midsomer Norton - the trackbed of the third extension lays beyond

(Left) First panels of track being relaid by volunteers on the S&D mainline after nearly 40 years

Current projects include ...

Extension of the current running line to the foot of the Chilcompton cutting infill (with plans to put in place a run-round loop and construct a halt at the new Norton Down terminus).

Future project include ...