Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust

03/04/2026

Our latest magazine presents several photos from the last day on the S&D, 6 March 1966, plus much more, in its 44 pages. More information here:

Join the Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust from just £17 per year. The current issue of our quarterly magazine 'Pines Express' is spring 2026.

06/03/2026

60 years ago today - the very last trains on the S&D.

(1) The SLS special with 48706 & 80043 passes south through Midford at 10.40 am.
(2) The RCTS special with 41283 & 41249 heading west through Shapwick at 3 pm.
(3) The RCTS on the Bath to Templecombe leg with 34013 & 34057 stopped at Midford from 5.36 to 5.46 pm.
(4) In the fading daylight, the same train - the very last southbound one - was pictured approaching Wellow at 5.55 pm. The signalman is looking out of a window awaiting his penultimate train.

[Photos by Bernard Holbrow and John Woods, copyright S&DRT.]

22/02/2026

Our book of G A Richardson's S&D photos is 'Review of the Month' in both 'Steam Railway' and 'Steam World', February 2026 issues. Make sure of your copy, get a coffee and enjoy!

G A Richardson's Somerset & Dorset Line, the first dedicated book of Tony Richardson's S&D images since 1975. 112 pages A4 with 110 images in large format.

28/12/2025

Join us now, receiving both of our most recent magazines plus all four issues in 2026 for £18.50 (senior), £24.25 (adult). https://www.sdrt.org/membership/ Great value! Recent issues have had 48 A4 pages (inc. sales supplement) with a wide variety of articles, photos, feedback & information requests and Trust news.

24/11/2025

53808's overhaul - part 4.
Latest video, taking a close look at progress on the tender chassis. Roger Hardingham visits Ropley Works and shows which parts of the chassis will be completely replaced and sees work underway refurbishing the opposite end.

Plus footage of the other preserved S&D 7F (53809) at work last month.

S&DRT Chairman Roger Hardingham visits the works at Ropley and alongside the boilers for S15 No. 499 and Standard 4 No. 75079, progress continues on 53808's ...

21/11/2025

https://www.sdrt.org/product/2026-sdrt-calendar-100-years-of-53808-photos-by-ivo-peters/ Make sure of your copy: £8.95 + p&p. Marking 100 years since our S&D 7F No. 53808 was introduced, our 2026 calendar has an Ivo Peters photo of our engine for every month.

01/11/2025

A very enjoyable time was had today in the Swanage Railway shop with Peter Smith [former S&D fireman] and Lynda Richardson [wife of G A Richardson]. Lynda had not yet seen our new book of her late husband's S&D photos, so we asked Peter to present her with a copy, as pictured here. They then posed in front of No. 31806 on the platform.
Many copies of the new book were signed by both Peter and Lynda and indeed, some people who had already purchased the book brought their copies in for signing!
Make sure of YOUR copy here: https://www.sdrt.org/product/g-a-richardsons-somerset-dorset-line/

28/10/2025

Meet Peter Smith while purchasing our new G A Richardson book on Saturday 1 November from noon at Swanage!

From 12-2pm on Saturday 1st, Peter Smith and Lynda Richardson (the wife of G A Richardson) will be in the shop at Swanage Station. Meet them while you purchase a copy of this superb new book with proceeds shared between ourselves and Swanage.

The book is £25 with 112 pages, 110 images, hardback. Published by the S&DRT. There are several photos in the book that feature Peter.

02/10/2025

The first dedicated book of Tony Richardson's S&D photos in 50 years is now available. Order direct from us: https://www.sdrt.org/product/g-a-richardsons-somerset-dorset-line/ OR pick up a copy from the Swanage Railway shop. 112-page hardback with 110 photos in A4 Landscape format, published by the Trust. Mr. Richardson was well-known for his variety of high res. photos and a wide selection is presented in our new book.

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31/08/2025

Coming soon... a new book of G A Richardson's S&D photos.

Tony Richardson took over 500 photos on the S&D and over 100 feature in a new book published by the Trust and due out in September. The hardback book, in A4 Landscape format, is the first dedicated book of his S&D work since the well-known Bradford Barton book was published in 1975 and it is also the first time his work has appeared in large-format.

Just five of the photos used appear in the 1975 book; all the others are different.

The book will be priced at £25 and will be available online from the Trust and from our usual railway shop outlets at the Swanage Railway and the Watercress Line. The book is being printed and bound in the UK.

Keep a lookout for further news!

20/08/2025

Trust Peat Railway exhibits in action - plus much more - on Bank Holiday Monday at Westonzoyland

On Bank Holiday Monday, 25th August, our Lister ‘Railtruck’ 42319/1956 will be operating alongside our three ex-Ashcott peat wagons during the Westonzoyland Light Railway gala event.
https://www.wzlet.org/events-1/westonzoyland-light-railway-gala-8

Alongside our own Lister will be six other locomotives including another three Listers: 6299/1935 which was owned by the late Peter Nicholson (a long standing S&DRT member), Brian Faulkner’s new-build 56373 and the WZLR resident fleet including Lister 34758, Hibberd 1830, Clayton B0402A, and Motor Rail ‘Simplex’ 40S310.

The Railway Gala opens from 10 am until 4 pm, the museum is in 'full steam', tickets are priced at adults £12, children 15 & under - free, dogs welcome on a lead. The café will be open serving a selection of hot & cold drinks, savoury quiches and sausage rolls, homemade cakes and ice creams.

So do come along to Hoopers lane, Westonzoyland, Somerset TA7 0LS and support the Pumping Station and the Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust.

Our peat railway artefacts were previously operational at Washford and moved to Westonzoyland on long-term loan in 2021. There's some more information about them here:https://www.sdrt.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/peatworks_sign.pdf

[Images from Josh Brinsford/the late Peter Nicholson.]