LAST TRAIN FROM EVERCREECH JUNCTION
Somerset & Dorset Railway Circle
at Radstock
(1965-1975)
With the end in sight for regular passenger services on the S&D - originally earmarked for January 1966, a number of enthusiasts in late 1965 came together to form a society to be known as the ‘Somerset & Dorset’ Railway Circle’. Their mission was to collect, collate and record as much as possible about the history of the line.
At the Annual General Meeting in 1968, a proposal was put that the Circle should investigate the possibilities of preserving one of two remaining Somerset & Dorset 7F class 2-8-0 freight engines lying in Woodham’s scrapyard at Barry in South Wales; and of setting up a museum in a former S&D station building. A price of £2,500 was agreed for the purchase of No. 53808; payment was in stages, the final amount being handed over in January 1973. Meanwhile, the station buildings and up platform at Radstock North were leased from British Rail for £100 per annum. The locomotive was towed to Radstock in October 1970.
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Radstock North station under preservation by Circle volunteers
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A number of industrial tank locomotives arrived at Radstock, and from August 1972 on designated open days, those in working order hauled brake van trips a mile along the former main line to Writhlington colliery.
In January 1973, the Circle changed its name to ‘Somerset & Dorset Railway Museum Trust’, reflecting its expanding activities. In 1983, it dropped the word ‘Museum’ from the title. A separate Somerset & Dorset Light Railway Company was established in January 1974 with intention of buying Radstock station, plus the line to Writhlington, and setting up a working industrial museum.
With the national economy in the grips of high inflation, the finances were not forthcoming, and the company was wound up in December 1976.
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In the event of the project failing, the Trust committee had started to formulate contingency plans involving the West Somerset Railway in the late autumn of 1974. During the winter of 1974-75, all museum pieces were carefully placed in storage for the duration of the move. The process of relocating their locomotives and rolling stock began in Spring 1975.
Saddle tank 'Isobel' giving happy visitors brake van rides