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S&D at Midsomer Norton - track extension approved


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The S&DRHT at Midsomer Norton have received planning permission to extend rails south towards Chilcompton.

 

The permission enables double tracks to the limit of BANES (Bath and North East Somerset) territory and will bring the Trust to within about 1/3 of a mile of Chilcompton cutting.

 

More information on the Trust website. Associated documents are also viewable on the BANES planning site.

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Thanks for the encouragement and question.

 

3 phases are involved:

Phase 1 - extending from the station to the original permissive limit. This is progressing steadily and could be complete (including signalling) by this year end. It's double track, just under 1/2 a mile in length, rebuilt to contemporary standards and has a run-around at the head (so around a mile of track when done).

Phase 2 - is the new permission, takes us to the edge of BANES jurisdiction and adds around 1/3 of a mile or so. We'll need to raise funds for new track and would also like some new storage sidings in this space. It's very overgrown but appears structurally intact.

Phase 3 - is on Duchy of Cornwall land and it's intended to have a halt at the foot of the in-filled Chilcompton cutting. The halt should give around 2 miles of track in total (possibly more if you include a run-around at the halt).

 

We'd like to have phase 3 commenced by 2016, as that will be the 50th anniversary of closure. This could well happen; we're a dedicated group, steadily growing, but still small compared to other outfits - let's hope more volunteers get involved in the coming years.

 

Regular updates on Facebook - recommended viewing!

http://www.facebook.com/somersetanddorsetrailway

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Phase 3 - is on Duchy of Cornwall land and it's intended to have a halt at the foot of the in-filled Chilcompton cutting. The halt should give around 2 miles of track in total (possibly more if you include a run-around at the halt).

Thinking beyond Phase 3, is any consideration being given at the moment to the possibility of removing the infill through the cutting and getting to/through one of the tunnels?

 

Really good news in the meantime, btw, well done and thanks for the info in the first place!

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Thinking beyond Phase 3, is any consideration being given at the moment to the possibility of removing the infill through the cutting and getting to/through one of the tunnels?

 

Really good news in the meantime, btw, well done and thanks for the info in the first place!

 

Good question - clearing the cutting will cost a lot (note Bluebell progress with the much larger Imberhorne cutting in a similar state). For perhaps less it may be possible to reinstate Sliver Street bridge (single line), then there's good scope to run down to Radstock which is a larger population centre and closer to the tourist trap of Bath. That said, after Chilcompton there is a fair chance of reinstating a pretty good length of line to just outside Shepton Mallet.

 

The Midsomer project has a good momentum, but it's going to be a few more years before the S&DRHT really needs to decide and consider fundraising. The future of the Washford group may need to be considered beforehand, as this will be important for the future location of significant S&D items - meantime, this volunteer simply looks forward to contributing and seeing how things develop.

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  • 1 month later...

A quick update on the subject of extensions - this Sunday the Operations Team approved passenger use of the section of track up to just short of the rail-head.

 

This adds a couple of hundred yards to the running line at Midsomer Norton and starts to present open views of the Sommer Valley to passengers.

 

There's still plenty to do - the new section is limited to 10mph as more work is required to settle the new track. Intentions remain that Phase 1 is completed in the off-season so an improved timetable can be introduced next summer.

 

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