After many months of hard work, primarily on Mondays, volunteers at the old Somerset and Dorset Railway on Silver Street, Midsomer Norton, have completed the restoration of a former British Railways carriage built in the early 1960s, following a successful brake test based on that used by British Rail.
This particular coach has compartments, unlike modern railway coaches, so a family of six can sit in their own part of the train. Now the carriage is ready to take part in next year’s passenger service, which will run as part of the fifty year since closure commemorations.
Not to rest on their laurels, the Monday gang have moved on to the restoration of another former British Rail coach, this time from the 1950s. This one has half the compartments because it has guards and parcel areas. It had been modified for use as a breakdown coach by British Rail, so an additional part of the plan is to refit the parcel area so that it can be used by people with reduced mobility, offering more space.
There is a great deal of work to be done on this carriage following the refitting of windows and doors to make it watertight and the Railway Trust at the station would welcome volunteers to help.
Barrie Papworth, Head of Traction and Rolling Stock, is keen to encourage people to join in with the effort. He said: “You will be certain of a warm welcome at the station. There are a myriad of jobs and if they are outside your skill set, we can give training. 2016 is a significant year for the station and you have the opportunity to play your part in the continuing history of the Somerset and Dorset Railway.”
Midsomer Norton South Station will be hosting a visit from Father Christmas on December 12th and 13th. This will also be an opportunity to view progress at the station by adults and children alike. Tickets for children to see Santa can be obtained from the station office on Sundays and Mondays from now on. So come and bag your own family compartment on our restored sparkly carriage!
Gail Coleshill