Somerset & Dorset Trust set to establish new Bitton museum
THE Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust is to relocate part of its rolling stock and museum exhibits collection to Bitton on the Avon Valley Railway (AVR).
The move follows the trust being given notice to quit Washford station, its home of 44 years, and an agreement to relocate other items to the Mid-Hands Railway.
It is intended to establish a display of Midland/LMS vehicles and artefacts at Bitton that will form the basis of a new museum at the station, part of the LMS route which led to the Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway (S&D) at Bath.
Displays
Several trust vehicles will be adapted to house a range of S&D exhibits which, with additional historical items belonging to the AVR, will together tell the story of the Midland lines terminating at Green Park, Bath, known as Queen Square until 1951.
With the unique collection of items assembled by the trust over some 50 years, it is envisaged that the story of the Midland’s lines converging on Bath will become a popular attraction at Bitton. The AVR already has a service named ‘The Pines Express’, after the train which was synonymous with the route via Bitton to Bath and over S&D line to Bournemouth.
Connection
The Midland line from Mangotsfield arrived at Bath in 1870 and was followed by the S&D line in 1874, the lines joining at Bath Junction.
Both routes lost their passenger services in March 1966, which emphasises the close relationship between to two heritage groups.
An appeal for volunteers to help establish the exhibits has been made in advance of the arrival of rolling stock in the coming weeks.
AVR chairman Roger Eynon said: “The AVR is really pleased to be forging this new link with the Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust.
“Our joint heritage has such a local resonance and we look forward to being able to share more stories about the history of our line.”
Trust chairman Ian Young said: “We have been looking for new partners to display some of our historic rolling stock and museum objects.The AVR has been looking to create a new museum area, and the opportunity to work together comes at a good moment for both organisations.”