Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust at Washford

According to information on the WSR site the Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust will not be continuing with their lease after 2020 in Washford. Could we see a return of S&D material to a site connected with the original line?

I did a search on here but could not find a related thread, sorry if this has been discussed under another name.

 

You have to read the WSR site carefully - the WSR has decided not to allow the S&D trust to renew their lease beyond 2020. It caught me out at first. Doesn't seem to be an unfriendly split though - the WSR need more space and Washford has a big yard.

It will be interesting to see where the S&D trust go, and whether they will take 88 with them or whether it will remain on the WSR and only go to the new home for overhaul/special events.

Of course, 8 years is a long time. Ideas might change, perhaps the S&D trust will continue their tenure there. I suppose to your average punter it is not of especial interest - the WSR, like the PDSR is a pleasant means to an end - Minehead and the Sea - I wonder how many people actually break their journey?. I would wonder how many people the S&D trust get through their doors other than enthusiasts?

 

Its the second time the trust has had to move having to vacate Radstock in the seventies.
At least the WSR has given them a home .Eight years is enough time to plan, I wonder how
far Midsomer Norton and Shillingstone have come by then? Both sites are really moving forward
I'm sure most S&D fans would like to see the stock on home ground again.

Keith

 

I suspect 53808 is on a separate agreement, but when that expires it would pobably follow the rest of the collection - after all if the S&D Trust is negotiating for a new home at one of the S&DJR revival sites it would give it a head start in negotiations to be able to say that it would be bringing its loco in due course, but presumably the WSR have factored that into their calculations. Have to say I'm a bit surprised at the decision though, the WSR has never struck me as being particularly short of space, and I was under the impression that they were going to construct a big depot within the confines of the new triangle.

Having a destination, in the form of the museum, part way along the line provides another reason for visitors to make a full day of their trip, allowing them to spend more money whilst on the line so I'd see this as a short-sighted decision.

 

A big loco like 53808 needs a long run, and unless the Midsomer Norton operation, nice though it is, can get to Shepton Mallet by 2020 to give a good climb over the Mendips, it would be a bit sad to see this fine engine just shuffling up and down a couple of miles.

 

53808 would probably be hired out most of the time to bigger railways.Would look great
at Midsomer Norton though .

 

Will they relocate the recreation of Midford Signalbox ?
to Midford?

 

It will apparently allow PW activities to be removed from Dunster to allow that delightful station to be restored to something like it's original condition.

 

What's the betting that they're gone sooner than that? As soon as it becomes apparent that a move is necessary it's surely better to get it over and done with and put effort into the new location rather than a dying one.

 

I wonder what the age profile of the Trust is and whether there will be a will to re-locate? We are reaching interesting times with a lot of smaller organisations. I know of one other long standing organisation that is giving up because their members are getting a bit long in the tooth and have no real desire to carry on.

 

I'd love to see that at Shillingstone

Almost all the stuff in the yard at Washford - buildings, track, stock in the yard - belongs to the Trust. The yard was completely empty when the Trust arrived.

It is only the yard lease that is not being renewed - the Trust could continue being based in the station building.

I'm not sure what WSR Plc plan for Washford Yard. There's no doubt Dunster Station would be greatly enhanced sans PW but the latter could be usefully relocated at Williton in Sherring's Yard which will soon have rail access via Williton North Yard. Sherring's Yard (former concrete works) is amidst an industrial estate and well tucked away from the gaze of passengers. Washford could be used for carriage restoration IF the shed is left in place after 2020. Just a few personal thoughts...

Steve

 

But will ruin Washford!

Regards

 

A very valid point Steve; I think the 'movement' is in for substantial change over the next 10 years or so. It will be interesting to see where the next generation of preservation's 'leading lights' will come from.

 

Especially in some of the more esoteric groups. I wouldn't like to presume what constitutes an esoteric group.

 

The railtour operators?

 

Its an interesting subject actually. I personally believe there are a lot of youngsters who are out there interested in doing things but i dont know if "some" groups want to hand over "their" toys, but at the same time there not wanting to stand on a cold platform fundraising for the next overhaul.

I personally would love to see the S&D trust to be based at Midsomer Norton but it would have to be if they were running from Radstock to Chilcompton but im not sure how either is possible with out some major money. You have a missing bridge on one side and an infilled cutting on the other. With the rising costs of waste removal i cant see where the money would come from. Although you never know who could win the lottery one day??

 

You are correct that 88 is on a separate lease from the Trust to the WSR also expiring in 2020 when she has to be handed back to the Trust in the same
condition she was in when leased to the WSR i.e. with a new 10 year certificate.

 

The WSR have told the SDRT they will compensate them for anything left on site in 2020. I wonder if they can afford to do that. I was told the other day by a
member at Washford that the scrap value of the track and buildings was many hundreds of thousands of pounds. Quite a lot of what you see at Washford are
museum items like contents of the Midford Box, the Burnham Box and the Wells Hut which could not be left on site and would have to go to another S&D site.
Quite a bit of the track is from Radstock and would have to go as well. It does not look to me as if Midsomer Norton has enough room for everything from
Washford, not sure how much room Shillingstone has but no doubt they would like a 3 road shed. 88 of course is a very useful loco and all the railways she has
visited in the last few years have expressed and interest in hiring her should she ever become available. What a wonderful roving ambassador for the SDRT she
would make.