As part of the development and training at the Somerset and Dorset Heritage Railway at Midsomer Norton, a signallers’ experience visit was arranged to the Swanage Railway.

Signalling Supervisor, Alan Price, took two student signallers, Chris Ross and Stuart Garner, with experienced signaller Will George, to look at single-line block working, which is a safety measure on single lines. Looking at Swanage Railway’s block working between the line’s four signal boxes was also a useful part of the trip.

Alan said: “We were royally entertained by all the Swanage staff, and particular thanks are due to Tony North, their Signal Engineer, who arranged the trip.

“We were also all able to get a turn on the Westinghouse A1 frame in the Swanage Box, with help from their Signal Inspector, Alan Greatbatch.”

Treats on the trip included a footplate ride on the M7 0-4-4 Tank engine, which used to run on the little Dorset and branch lines for Will George, and a ride on the footplate of the Southern Railway U class loco for Stuart Garner.

The visit was rounded off by a trip over the third rail to Wareham on one of their four daily trains, using a Diesel-hauled, immaculate London Transport-owned 4TC unit, which had been used for London overground routes.