The Railway at Midsomer Norton has taken delivery of a restored open brake coach borrowed from the North Yorkshire Railway for three years. The coach is an example of the ones used in one of the last special trains that ran over the S&D on its last day as a through route on 6th March 1966. It is the only surviving coach from that era.
Trust Member, John Baxter, said: “It is a remarkable survivor, and all the more
remarkable is the fact that one of the Trust’s members, Mike Ware, travelled in this very coach on that day with his father, Bernard, who was the Guard that particular day.
The Trust has invited Mike to help with an internal repaint of his father’s old
compartment, and he will have the honour, once the outside has been painted in Midland maroon, to add the BR lion emblem on the side.
It had its maiden voyage at the ‘Real Ale day’ weekend at the station, when it was found to be an excellent place for a bar. Visitors were treated to rides up the restored track and were able to sample some real ales from the Milk Street Brewery in Frome and the Box Steam Brewery in Holt, supplied by the Redan Inn, Chilcompton.
The coach’s next outing will be for the Midsummer at Midsomer event on June 17th and 18th. Look out for a special offer for Father’s Day to include lots of activities on the station.
More information about this and other events can be found on the website: www.sdjr.co.uk or you can call: 01761 411221 on a Sunday (morning or afternoon) or Monday (afternoon) or pop in to the station.