The Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway
The North Dorset Trailway is located on what was once the Somerset & Dorset Railway – one of the most picturesque and operationally challenging railway lines in Britain. Opened in 1862 it originally linked the port of Poole in Dorset with the Bristol Channel at Burnham-on-Sea. In 1874 the railway was extended northwards from Evercreech in Somerset and over the Mendip Hills to link with the Midland Railway in the historic Roman city of Bath. This enabled express trains from the cities of northern England to reach the popular seaside town of Bournemouth. The Somerset & Dorset became a busy cross country route, particularly during the summer months, carrying tourists to the seaside for their annual holidays. The ‘Pines Express’ dining train service ran daily throughout the year, between Manchester and Bournemouth.
The railway also provided a vital community link. On the Dorset section of the line stations were provided in the towns of Stalbridge, Sturminster Newton, Shillingstone, Blandford, Spetisbury, Sturminster Marshall (called Bailey Gate to avoid potential confusion with Sturminster Newton) and Broadstone. Smaller station halts were also added later, in 1928, serving Stourpaine & Durweston, Charlton Marshall and Corfe Mullen. In addition to enabling local people to regularly travel between these towns, the railway also carried large amounts of goods traffic, including local farm produce and cattle – an important part of market days.
The view from the footplate of a southbound goods train approaching Charlton Marshall with the houses of Charlton On The Hill seen on the right. Today this section forms part of the southern part of the North Dorset Trailway. Photo taken by G.A. Richardson. Copyright: the Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust.
Sadly express trains were diverted away from the Somerset & Dorset at the end of summer 1962 and the whole line was subsequently closed as part of the infamous Beeching Plan, with the final public trains running in March 1966.
BR Class 9F no. 92220 ‘Evening Star’ seen hauling the last Up Pines Express seen between Milldown and Manor France Farm on 8th September 1962. Today this section is part of the North Dorset Trailway. Photo taken by G.A. Richardson. Copyright: the Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust.
Creation of the North Dorset Trailway
Closure of the Somerset & Dorset Railway proved to be one of the most controversial parts of the Beeching plan and was bitterly opposed, both locally and nationally. In the years since the railway track was lifted in the late 1960s the line has developed almost legendary status with over 100 books being published about it.
Whilst there was never any serious campaign to reopen the railway, and only modest, but important, preservation activity has taken place – at Midsomer Norton, Shillingstone and Spetisbury stations – much of the rural route of the railway between the Dorset towns along the route has remained undeveloped following the sale of the disused trackbed by British Rail. The only exceptions are the bridges over the River Stour which were demolished following closure.
One of the great attractions of the Somerset & Dorset was the beautiful countryside through which the line ran. As railway formations by their nature were constructed with gentle gradients, the former Somerset & Dorset route is perfect for creating a trailway for inclusive community use accessible to walkers, cyclists and horse riders and ideally suited for people with mobility restrictions.
Initially only small sections of the disused railway were accessible to the public, having been purchased by Dorset County Council. These were located between Blandford and Spetisbury and around Shillingstone and Sturminster Newton.
Links and further historical information
The Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust (registered charity no. 1158865)
The Somerset & Dorset Railway at Midsomer Norton (registered charity no. 1045547)
North Dorset Railway – Shillingstone station (registered charity no. 1181851)
Blandford Town Museum (registered charity no. 1190608)
Acknowledgements
Special thanks to the Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust for the use of their archive photographs. Also to Graham Rains and Mark Woolley for the use of their photos.