Steam trains will once again be running at Midsomer Norton Station at the local volunteers’ next event.

In addition to the regular runs during the day, there will be a last train at the end of each day to replicate the last train before closure of the Somerset and Dorset Railway in 1966. Steam loco number 80072 has been borrowed from Llangollen to replicate the last train on the line in 1966, but it will be re-numbered 80043 or 80041 to replicate the numbers of the last double header on the line. It has been hired for two weekends in September, starting with the heritage weekend of the 10th and 11th and then the weekend of the 17th and 18th September.

Visitors will be able to travel in a carriage and brake van renovated by the Somerset and Dorset Heritage Railway to see what progress has been made up the line towards Chilcompton. Volunteers have been madly scraping, cleaning and painting their latest project, the British Rail Standard Corridor coach, to get it ready for the run of the last train.

Volunteer and Chairman of the Company, Charley Davies, who has worked for months on the British standard corridor coach as part of a hard working team, is justifiably proud of their efforts. “This memorable event could not have taken place without some exceedingly hard work from our volunteers. We are very excited to think that not only will we have a steam loco pulling our trains, but it will actually replicate the very last trip on the Somerset and Dorset Railway.”

Trains will run from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., the last train of the day re-enacting the last south bound train late on Saturday March 5th 1966.

There will be parking at Norton Hill School on the Saturdays, otherwise visitors can use the town car parks. The vintage buses will be available for park and ride from town car parks and the Green Goddess Fire Engine will also be on site.

For more details, or to volunteer at the station, email: [email protected] or phone: 01761 411221 on a Monday or Sunday.