Now that the signal box is in full working order at Midsomer Norton Station, the Somerset and Dorset Heritage Railway is able to offer more train trips.
There are regular training sessions for volunteers to enable more people to be able to operate the signals and to drive and guard trains. This means that although there is not a resident steam locomotive at the station, visitors will be able to get rides in the refurbished coach behind the classic diesel shunter.
The next running day is Sunday, 5th June when visitors are invited to ride behind the loco. Running days after that will be the Home Guard historic event with trains running on the weekend of the 18th and 19th June. There will also be trains running on the 9th and 10th of July, the 7th of August and the 10th and 11th of September.
Chairman, Brenden Hill, seen in the signal box with signal man, Alan Price and the former Chairman of B&NES, Ian Gilchrist, at a recent event, wants to pay tribute to all the hard work that has led to Midsomer Norton having real trains running again.
He says “We are going from strength to strength. I cannot stress enough how much hard work has been involved in getting this far, but it has all been enjoyable and worth it to see the pleasure on people’s faces when they ride the line again.”