They were fabricated and painted off site in the warmth of a certain volunteer’s barn and only once the paint had sufficiently hardened were they brought to site. Whilst there was always a footpath crossing the line at this point it was never gated during BR days the huge growth in foot traffic from the adjacent Trailway means that remain un-gated is not an option. 

With planning becoming ever more focussed on us one day running trains they perform a necessary function as well as enhancing the aesthetics of the southern end of the site. 

A crossing keeper’s hut will appear in due course and we look forward to one day using those gates ‘in anger’.

Following an assessment visit by the Vice Chairman and Membership Secretary of the Heritage Railway Association during our open day last October it is with great delight that we announce our attaining full membership of that body. 

As we continue to grow and get ever closer to becoming a running railway the support of the Heritage Railway Association and its constituent members will become ever more important. 

Indeed, the useful support we have already received from chairmen, directors and volunteers from a plethora of different heritage railways has been one of the many positives from recent times.  As we move forward we look forward to ever closer working with others in the sector.

Express Our Thanks

Following on from last year's tremendous progress 2012 is already shaping up to be a terrific year with completed infrastructure and a further extension to our running line imminent.

However, none of these achievements would have been possible without the fantastic support from Express Hire near Poole (01202  673403).  

The ready access which we have enjoyed to an extensive range of diggers, dumpers and other specialist plant has shaved thousands of pounds from our 'Magic Mile' track-laying budget. The Trust and its volunteers would once again like to extend the most sincere thanks to Judy and Gary at Express Hire.

An excellent turn out of volunteers over the weekend saw a major breakthrough with the fencing, more progress on the track and a big inroad into next month's major yard clean up. Phew, where do we start?

Those of you that have visited the site will have noticed (you wouldn't have failed to) the awful imposing industrial style 'Harris' fencing that used to surround it.

As you can see from the photo it has now been removed

May we wish all our members, volunteers and supporters all the very best for 2012! This last year has been our best yet, building on the magnificent efforts of those who saved the Station in the first instance, and the next promises even more.

In the last 12 months our 'Magic Mile' appeal has seen us break out of the Station and the new track heading towards our southern boundary, the signal box has risen magnificently from its former ruins and our gardens have looked fantastic throughout.

Small wonder that our membership figures have soared from 300 to 400 in under 9 months!

We could not have achieved all we have without our small but dedicated band of volunteers who open the shop, run the cafe, and lay all that lovely track. Thank you to you all.

Some of you may be wondering where the level crossing gates are now that the posts are in place. The simple answer is that the wood needed to be thoroughly dried out before painting could commence.

No point in rushing the job but expect to see them early in the New Year.

One of the landmark aims of the Trust has been for people to sit on the platform and watch the track disappear out of sight in both directions. Notwithstanding the further push South planned for the New Year, this aim will also be fulfilled by a smart new set of level crossing gates.

The gates have already been purchased and (all being well) will be hung next weekend. Today's task was to install and concrete in the substantial pitch pine gateposts.

As you can see it's another case of job done as the work to smarten up our site to reflect it's growing status as a visitor attraction continues apace.

The weekend track-laying effort concluded with a newly established level crossing and the Up line well clear of the station boundary.

There was never a crossing there in BR days but we’ve established one to allow the permissive footpath to link the village with the Trailway.

The actual crossing is in use but will not be complete until the gates are installed.

Work on those will begin the weekend of Saturday 10th December along with fencing off our southern boundary…

This Monday those friendly chaps from 'Pulhams Steels' delivered another batch of sleepers so that we can launch our next 'push south' beyond the level crossing.

The next big get-together to lay all this lovely track will be over the weekend 3rd & 4th December. If you want to join in then please feel free to come along and get involved and we’ll be delighted to see you; no previous experience necessary. However, please note safety boots are essential.

Either way, by Christmas we will be well south of the Station…..

The second of our monthly ‘meet the team’ nights will be held in the snug bar of the Old Ox Inn in Shillingstone from 19:00 on Wednesday 9th November 2011.

These are very informal get-togethers open to anyone who has an interest, question or complaint regarding the Project and is open to all, members and non-members alike.

The inaugural meet in October went down very well and it was great to see some new faces and talk about all aspects of the Project.

Earlier this year the Trust purchased this 'London, Midland & Scottish Railway' pattern brake van from a private individual based on the 'Swanage Railway', but was not in a position to bring it to the site until sufficient progress had been made with track-laying.

With the grand opening of the signal box out of the way our great supporters and local hauliers, P H Antell Haulage, delivered the vehicle to site on Monday 17th October.

As demonstrated at the superbly restored Midsomer Norton Station brake vans are excellent vehicles for embryonic sites such as ours to allow passenger running to begin, but first there is the small matter of restoring the vehicle as it seems that a quick paint job won’t quite be enough!

Despite appearances the vehicle is sound with good metal work and restoration will begin shortly. The first job is to meticulously measure the vehicle so that the replacement wooden sections can be accurately fabricated. Thereafter we will begin with the roof and work on from there.

After all, look how quickly we built the signal box!

Although the vehicle wasn’t actually built until 1950, the chosen livery will be 'LMS' brown which will be authentic for 1923 until the mid 1950s.

Nationalisation of the railways may have taken place in 1948 but brake vans wouldn’t have adopted British Railways livery overnight. 

Once the brake van has been fettled we will then turn our attention to the Gunpowder van that is currently sulking behind the 9F.

Another special guest was signalman John Cluett from Stalbridge box. So far, as we can tell, John has spent the entire weekend in there polishing all of the brasses; good to see!

Among the visitors was a deputation from the 'Heritage Railway Association', of whom Shillingstone is a new member, and you can expect the signal box to compete in the 'HRA' awards next year.

The record takings from the day will make a healthy contribution to Shillingstone’s ‘Magic Mile’ project to reinstate the track work throughout its site! 

Track laying Update

Express Arrives at Shillingstone

Signal Box Grand Opening

This exciting event has now been scheduled for the weekend of 15th and 16th October 2011.

The actual ceremony will be at 14:30 on Saturday 15th October, but we are combining it with the 'Three Okefords End of Season Steam Up', meaning we shall have traction engines on site, a licensed bar on the Saturday, live music (hopefully) in the evening.

As an extra treat, we will be a running a range of 'O Gauge', 'Gauge 1', and '5-inch Gauge' locomotives, all providing 'electrifying enjoyment' to visitors of all ages.

Our delicious café and fascinating shop will be open to satisfy your desires! Ample parking (close by) will be available between 10:00 and 16:00 on both days.

Big Track Week - Day 4

Not much to say really because the pictures speak for themselves.  Norman and Ben Young (N D Young Transport)delivered another delicious load of 60 ft rail while the track gang (Tom Antell, Dave Clark, Derek Lester-Jones, Ken Merriman and Toby Watkins.....all well fed by Bob Smith and Bill Munden) made busy laying out the new sleeper collection.

Thanks to Express Hire for the loan of the plant equipment. 

This is the early stage of Phase 1 but a Down line that is well clear of the Station has already been created.  Friday and the direction of track guru, Barry Light, will see further progress.

Bring it on!
 

Track Laying Progress

The work continues!

Since Monday Norman Young has delivered further lorry loads of base ballast and the track team (masterfully and inspirationally led by Barry Light) continued to spread it out and lay out sleepers in readiness.

Wednesday was mainly about loading and unloading the track from its secure storage to Shillingstone Station; easier said than done with 60 foot lengths! At about 1800 on Wednesday evening the first length of rail was placed on the sleepers. Thursday will see more track arrive and several panels assembled.

At Last! The Track Laying Begins

Following the thorough clearance and preparation of our track bed from the signal box, right through to our southern boundary the actual business of laying the new track began on Monday 5 September. 

Once again, plant was hired in to meet the several lorry loads of ballast delivered courtesy of Norman Young Transport and once again it was duly dropped and spread between the platform faces. 

The next couple of days will involve completing the ballasting and laying out the newly purchased sleepers in preparation for Wednesday’s delivery of lots of lovely track, again courtesy of Norman Young. 

At the end of week Dave Clark is looking forward to making his Ruston shunter the southernmost S&D movement for nearly 50 years!  Once this phase has been completed track-laying activity will halt until the Spring when another surge of activity will further transform our site.