Lost Lines: The Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway
16th May 2005 to 13th October 2007

In recent years the Railway Ramblers club has been visiting parts of the Somerset & Dorset line that linked Bath with Bournemouth over the Mendips. This much-lamented line closed in March 1966 - I was fortunate enough to travel on its final train. In 2005 the RR visited Bath and walked south to Midford through Combe Down Tunnel. In 2006 it was the turn of the southern end of the line, taking in sections from Templecombe to Blandford Forum. In 2007 visits were made to the Midford to Radstock section as well as to Shepton Mallet, Winsor Hill tuinnels, and Midsomer Norton.

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Approaching Winsor Hilltunnel up line bore from the north
Approaching Winsor Hilltunnel up line bore from the north
2007-10-13 13:07:28
 The southern portal of the up line bore of Winsor Hill Tunnel
The southern portal of the up line bore of Winsor Hill Tunnel
2007-10-13 13:09:54
 Midsomer Norton South station
Midsomer Norton South station
2007-10-13 13:52:31
 Midsomer Norton South station
Midsomer Norton South station
2007-10-13 13:52:59
Beneath Midford Viaduct
Beneath Midford Viaduct
2007-10-13 15:36:21
 Looking north down the 1 in 50 gradient towards Midford viaduct
Looking north down the 1 in 50 gradient towards Midford viaduct
2007-10-13 15:40:21
 Railway Ramblers gather around the plaque on Midford Viaduct which commemorates their contribution to its restoration
Railway Ramblers gather around the plaque on Midford Viaduct which commemorates their contribution to its restoration
2007-10-13 15:43:19
 The plaque on Midford Viaduct that commemorates the <i>Railway Ramblers</i> contribution to its restoration
The plaque on Midford Viaduct that commemorates the Railway Ramblers contribution to its restoration
2007-10-13 15:43:54
Bridge no 19 south of Midford
Bridge no 19 south of Midford
2007-10-13 15:56:21
 A sculpture has been erected beside the cycle path to commemmorate William Smith,
A sculpture has been erected beside the cycle path to commemmorate William Smith, "the father of geology". It represents his discovery that the surface of the earth is made up of rock layers
2007-10-13 16:15:26
 At Wellow the trackbed is blocked by riding stables and the cycle path diverts onto the roads for a couple of miles.
At Wellow the trackbed is blocked by riding stables and the cycle path diverts onto the roads for a couple of miles.
2007-10-13 16:24:11
 Wellow viaduct
Wellow viaduct
2007-10-13 16:31:17
Near Wellow: there was once a railway in a cutting on the far side of this bridge!
Near Wellow: there was once a railway in a cutting on the far side of this bridge!
2007-10-13 16:56:54
 Passing the site of Writhlington Colliery near Radstock
Passing the site of Writhlington Colliery near Radstock
2007-10-13 18:16:00
 The site of Radstock S&D station in the gathering dusk
The site of Radstock S&D station in the gathering dusk
2007-10-13 18:38:53
 Templecombe: now a shadow of its former self. This platform once had two faces, the S&D line platform being on the right.
Templecombe: now a shadow of its former self. This platform once had two faces, the S&D line platform being on the right.
2006-10-07 10:13:57
South of Templecombe the trackbed is occupied by the privately-owned Gartell Light Railway. This is the southern end of the line.
South of Templecombe the trackbed is occupied by the privately-owned Gartell Light Railway. This is the southern end of the line.
2006-10-07 11:30:56
 The deserted trackbed looking south towards Henstridge
The deserted trackbed looking south towards Henstridge
2006-10-07 11:33:27
 The Gatrell Light Railway oon the S&D trackbed
The Gatrell Light Railway oon the S&D trackbed
2006-10-07 11:59:36
 At the northern end of the Gartell Light Railway the line currently leaves the S&D trackbed to reach its terminus. The line to the left is intended to be the start of an extension towards Templecombe.
At the northern end of the Gartell Light Railway the line currently leaves the S&D trackbed to reach its terminus. The line to the left is intended to be the start of an extension towards Templecombe.
2006-10-07 12:08:13
At Fiddleford, near Sturminster Newton, a new deck has been provided to replace the demolished spans of the viaduct carrying the S&D over the River Stour. The new viaduct carries part of the North Dorset Trailway
At Fiddleford, near Sturminster Newton, a new deck has been provided to replace the demolished spans of the viaduct carrying the S&D over the River Stour. The new viaduct carries part of the North Dorset Trailway
2006-10-07 14:42:45
 At Fiddleford, near Sturminster Newton, a new deck has been provided to replace the demolished spans of the viaduct carrying the S&D over the River Stour. The new viaduct carries part of the North Dorset Trailway
At Fiddleford, near Sturminster Newton, a new deck has been provided to replace the demolished spans of the viaduct carrying the S&D over the River Stour. The new viaduct carries part of the North Dorset Trailway
2006-10-07 14:44:17
 From Fiddleford Viaduct the old line can be walked northwards to Sturminster Newton
From Fiddleford Viaduct the old line can be walked northwards to Sturminster Newton
2006-10-07 14:55:58
 Sturminster Newton station site
Sturminster Newton station site
2006-10-07 15:03:25
© 1998-2009 Ron Strutt - All copyrights rest with the Author
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