A gala day is being held by the Somerset & Dorset Railway to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the opening of Midsomer Norton station.
It was on July 20, 1874, that Midsomer Norton was opened as part of the Bath extension of the Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway. The extension, from Evercreech, was built in a mere two years – remarkably quick for the time considering the steeply-graded profile and the need for 11 viaducts and four tunnels. A total of 3000 men were employed in the work.
The station name has changed over the years. Originally just plain Midsomer Norton, it became Midsomer Norton & Welton in 1898, Midsomer Norton Upper in 1949, and finally Midsomer Norton South in 1950; the last has survived into the preservation era and features on the current running-in boards.
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When the line closed in 1966, the station was abandoned and later used for educational purposes. The preservation era started in 1996, and today there is a railway heading about a mile to Chilcompton, with long-term ambitions to extend further. While several sites on the S&DJR are preserved, Midsomer Norton is the only place where you can travel on the famous line.
The station is preserved as it would have been in the 1950s and 1960s. The signalbox was completely rebuilt, the original having been demolished. The gardens, once a well-known feature of the station back in the day, along with the greenhouse that supplies it, have been restored. The railway has a selection of heritage stock, including diesel locomotives, DMUs and Mk. 1 coaches.
To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the opening of the station, the Somerset & Dorset Railway at Midsomer Norton id holding a gala day on Saturday, July 20. Starting at 10am, a selection of heritage stock will run until 4.30pm, and in the evening a DMU service will run from 6pm. The Mendip Brass Band will be in attendance to help celebrate and refreshments will be available. Tickets and full details are available online at www.sdjr.co.uk
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