Shillingstone Update

Chums,
sorry about the radio silence after all the updates on the signal box but rest assured that we have been busy. The trouble with projects like the signal box is that the initial construction phase gets all the 'WOW' attention from (understandably) but the completion phase involving long days inside the box doing all sorts of fitting and fettling don't have the same impact. The box is now panelled, (vintage) phone installed and working, and all the repeaters and gubbins are in store awaiting fitting. The grand opening awaits!

Our first signal, a starter on the Up Platform was installed last night and we have 2 (possibly 3) more to go up around the site shortly. What track we have between the platforms has been lifted in order to facilitate complete clearance and levelling of the track bed so that we can start dropping ballast within about a month. At that point the track, incorporating a few grand's worth of newly purchased sleepers, will be laid and some of that half-mile of track we secured earlier in the year will appear on site.

Our 'Magic Mile' appeal needs to find about a further £5000 by the end of the summer to get the necessary ballasting sorted for this first phase and whilst we are optimistic about raising this any help is welcomed. More details to follow on our shortly to be re-launched website (important note for those who've spotted that our site hasn't been updated for a while, it's because it is being totally revamped and relaunched; it will look good!).

To be honest, if we're not careful, we're in grave danger of looking like a railway! Exciting times.

All the best,

Ralph

 

Great news. The signal box telephone exchange can expect a signalled "exchange siding"?

Derek

 

Apologies if this is a duplicate post, but I did a search and didn't find a recent Shillingstone thread; I saw this elsewhere, and thought it was probably appropriate to let everyone here know.

The Dorset County Council's Highways Department is seeking permission to demolish a Somerset & Dorset Railway bridge only hundred yards from the station; were it to be removed, it would severely impact any future work to extend the track northwards. The Project is seeking public support (i.e. letters) to the DCC opposing the demolition; details here.

Noel

 

What is the timescale for the proposed demolition of the bridge?

 

Dunno; all I know is what's on the web site. I tried Googling for more info, but although I saw a few other references, I didn't see a proposed date.

Noel

 

A lot seems to have happened in less than a year. Project 62 have moved in with 30075 and 30076 http://www.project62.supanet.com/. The line has been extended southwards 250ft past the level crossing, and points put in place to lay the down platform track this year. The down platform walls have been refurbished and restored. The trust has acquired a class 08 shunted as well as a MK3 coach. http://www.shillingstone-railway-project.org.uk/news.php
It looks like the railway is getting bigger and expanding its presence on the site.

 

I still don't see the logic in Project 62 going to Shillingstone. Seems baffling to me!

 

I don't see the logic in the Shillingstone project as a whole. A couple of ex JZ 'USA lookalikes' and an 08 pulling a Mk3 coach over a few yards of track - how is that recreating the S&D? Sorry to be blunt but, IMHO, it's just 'playing trains'. However it's a free country and if that's how they want to spend their time and money.....
Ray.

 

I appreciate the desire to preserve the station, but you're right...everything else is a little bizarre!

 

They do seem to be jumping the gun, I would have bought rails and a road-railed crane to lay the whole station track work, and start expanding North or South, then think about operating a brake van and a locomotive.

 

oh for pity's sake, what embryo centre would turn down anything offered especially a loco close to operational. Playing trains? that's what we all are doing, it's just some are further ahead in the game. Good luck Shillingstone, I'll try and call in this summer.

 

30075 will steam on the 5th and 6th of March. http://www.blackmorevale.co.uk/Loco...-anniversary/story-28671833-detail/story.html

 

Looking at the Google map I do not see much track with a very a short distance of track bed still left.
No mention of the bridge. Was it removed?

 

All railways started with a dream. Some have come true and the railway has flourished.

Some of you sound like the critics of railway preservation in the 60's and 70's and you should be ashamed of yourselves.
Yes some schemes appear to be in cloud cookoo land and IMHO they are a few more established railway that have aims that are definatly not from this planet.
Is Shillingstone? No i dont think so.
How far will they get? I dont know as I dont see what market they are aim at but I wish them the best of luck,
Will put it in my diary when next down south.

 

No it won't, as it doesn't have a current boiler certificate. Read the article carefully and it says it will be made to appear to be in steam - i.e. there'll be a couple of smouldering oily rags in the smokebox.


Keith

 

Bridge was saved and recently there was a drone video of the station and the line around the station showing the progress. http://rvrailway.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/revisit-to-shillingstone.html