Extension to Somerset & Dorset Railway

Somerset and Dorset Railway at Midsomer Norton Station begins another year.

Line extensions laid by volunteers at Midsomer Norton Station have resulted in another length of running line. This means that visitors will be able to travel almost up to the Chilcompton tunnel by train. The Heritage Railway is celebrating a longer operating length of line by bringing in a Jinty steam locomotive from the Great Central Railway for three weekends in March.

Volunteers  are working hard to make sure that people have an all-round experience when they visit the station. Volunteers from the shop, the gardens and the rolling stock are seen in the photo pausing from their hard work on a Monday. The station is open on Sundays and Mondays for volunteers but with the shop, buffet car, and museum also open for visitors. Trustees welcome men and women of all ages from teens to eighties to join their volunteers, especially if they are local to Frome and Midsomer Norton.

Marketing trustee Gail Coleshill says, “We welcome all visitors to our historic site, but if you come to volunteer you are especially welcome. There is so much to do that, whatever your skill, we can find you a job. Gardeners, painters, carpenters, shop assistants and signal experts are all there on a Monday, with engineers and track gang usually on a Sunday.

“Posing for our photo from left are John and Tony and Kirsteen who work in the garden. Linda in the front is found in the gift and railwayana shop, Doug with the wheelbarrow is a gardener, then at the back is Keith, a painter and carpenter, and Barry and Rich back right, are helping to renovate the Midland coach in which they are standing.”

For more details about Midsomer Norton Station volunteers call 01761 411221, call in Sunday or Monday or visit the website www.sdjr.co.uk