A gorgeous recreation of the Somerset & Dorset Railway in 'OO' gauge was STEVE JONES' aim, and this beautiful exhibition layout recaptures the days of the S&D before its premature closure. Photography, Trevor Jones.
Above: Stanier ‘8F’ 2-8-0 48706 heads towards Chilcompton Tunnel with a fitted freight as last-built BR ‘9F’ 2-10-0 92220 Evening Star powers the ‘Pines Express’ out of the tunnel headed by a Gresley Corridor Second.
TO SOME the ‘Slow & Dirty’ and to others the ‘Serene & Delightful’, the Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway (SDJR) has always attracted interest and debate amongst enthusiasts. Whether it was the scenery through which it traverses, the motive power, the romance of travelling to holiday resorts on the south coast from towns in the north or the famous ‘Pines Express’, the line attracted bands of enthusiasts who fortunately for future generations had the forethought to record the scenes on film.
Ivo Peters became my main source of inspiration during the building of Chilcompton Tunnel and the compilation of train formations. Where else could you see Midland locomotives double-heading with Southern types? There was coaching stock from all four main regions and, apar…
