Shillingstone station moves towards operational status with northern push
MOVES by the North Dorset Railway ( NDR) to turn Shillingstone station into an operational heritage line are underway.
As reported on page 26, the NDR has recently acquired Hudswell Clarke 0- 6- 0DM Dl 166 of 1959 Ashdown and is stripping down and rebuilding a brake van. The pair are set to form the first passenger train once the venue gains operational status.
The railway is continuing to improve and enhance its health and safety management systems and is waiting for planning approval for a new welfare and training container.
The site currently operates as a working museum on part of the Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway main line at Shillingstone. It contains a cafe, shop, museum, station garden, signalbox plus a range of rolling stock, with direct access for visitors onto nine miles of off- road trailway.
A major obstacle to track laying at the station has been overcome with the help of a £ 47,000 European Union Leader grant. The popular North Dorset walking and cycling trailway has been diverted off the Down platform and onto a new dedicated, volunteer- built, embankment which has been popularly received. The grant also enabled the platform to be raised and resurfaced, with car park spaces and an accessible toilet provided.
Planning progress
Since then the permanent way team has laid the second track through the station as far as the northern boundary of the current site and is gearing up for a northern extension. Planning and consultations are in progress, with the aim offulfilling NDR members' wishes to extend the line over Lamb House Bridge as far as Bere Marsh, which would more than double the current length of track.
Further preparation work, including a construction and environmental management plan, a biodiversity plan and recommendations from stakeholders need to be incorporated into the NDR's plans in order to gain the necessary permissions and approvals. Progress is steady and initial responses were reported as being positive and encouraging.
Station signage has been improved and interpretation boards to enhance the visitor experience are being produced. A station heritage plan is also being prepared by the NDR's visitor experience group, while a museum and signalling group has been established to develop facilities and to educate visitors on the history of the station and line. The museum is affiliated to the Dorset Museums Group and is already a popular visitor attraction.
The Project 62 steam locomotive preservation group, which is also based at Shillingstone, is halfway through the restoration of the first of its two Yugoslavian- built'pirate copy' USA 0- 6- 0Ts, Nos. 30075 and 30076. Restoration work is now able to take place under cover as a large warehouse adjacent to the station has become available for a temporary period.
Support
Members and supporters have contributed more than £ 10,000 in donations during the Covid- 19 lockdown. Further donations are invited by sending a cheque made out to North Dorset Railway, to the Membership Secretary, 50 Clayford Avenue, Ferndown, Dorset.
BH22 9PG. For further information visit www. northdorsetrailway.co. uk