The Journal of the Shillingstone Railway Project Issue No.14 Spring/Summer 2018 Price £2.50 (Free To Members)
Wagon Restoration Continues At Pace
TheThe MarkMark IIIIII departsdeparts andand aa brakebrake vanvan arrivesarrives Read the full story on p 16
THE PERMANENT WAY Read about the progress on the permanent way on Page 8
PLATFORM The Journal of the Shillingstone Railway Project In this issue P 4 From the Stationmaster’s Office P 18 Halloween Event Our regular update of news, Spooky happenings at Halloween developments and recent happenings at Shillingstone P 20 A Tale of Two Railwaymen The concluding part of Jack Bath’s P 6 The Waggoners interviews with Bob Downes and John Reporting on the fantastic progress Cluett made by our team working on the wagons P 22 From the Archives P 8 Permanent Way Progress A historic item from the museum Major progress made in laying the collection is brought back into service point that will connect to the loop through the station P 23 Scammell Mechanical Horse Another historic vehicle is added P 10 Rupert Brooke to our collection, and restoration begins The sad story of the departure for Gallipoli of one of England’s greatest war P 24 Annual General Meeting poets through Shillingstone Station A report of the excellent progress made at Shillingstone in 2017-18 P 14 30075’s overhaul Project 62’s progress on the P 26 Miscellany overhaul of 30075 Snippets of news about the new signal box handbook, Tarmac and a mystery P 16 Hello, Goodbye object The Mark III coach leaves for its new home, and the brake van arrives P 28 Membership Matters
Editor: Will Appelbee Graphic Designer: James Hawthorn
Keep up with the latest news on our website : www.shillingstone-railway-project Follow us on Facebook: S&DJR Shillingstone
PLATFORM magazine is published twice a year, in the Spring and Autumn. The Editor welcomes contributions from members for possible inclusion in the magazine and copy should be sent, ideally by email to [email protected] or, if only hard copy is available, to the station (postal address on page 29). Whilst the Trustees are happy to publish the views of members if appropriate, it will be on the understanding that these views may not necessarily be shared by the Trust or its managing committee. The Editor’s decision on whether or not to include contributions from readers is nal.
Page 3 From The Stationmaster’s Office
his has been a very busy year for the North Dorset Railway Trust. At the February 2017 AGM a new board of trustees was appointed after an extended period of concern regarding the administration of the NDRT. Since then, the new board have worked to strengthen the nancial position of the trust and Tto meet the liabilities that have been inherited. To this end, new, stringent, nancial controls have been put in place alongside a formal meeting and recording structure to improve accountability and to formalise the way the trust is governed.
A full audit of rolling stock Practical infrastructure developments and plant has been undertaken and any Developments on site over the past 12 surplus equipment and stock has been sold. months include the acquisition of a Registers, log books and records have been signi cant quantity of track, points and set up for the equipment and a full register sleepers from a quarry site at East Grimstead, of certi ed drivers has been prepared. near Salisbury and this is now being used to provide for a second track through the e new NDRT vision was presented to station. Ballast has been cleaned and fresh the members at a special general meeting ballast has been bought in preparation for held during August 2017 where members further track laying and a second point is supported the trustees in seeking to explore being tted to connect our southern spur the feasibility of the NDRT developing to the station track. (see page 8 for details). an operating heritage railway between Completion of the down platform wall and Shillingstone and Sturminster Newton. e shelter draws nearer. A major upgrade to our Trust has been awarded an initial £15,000 shop resulted in an improved volunteer and grant from the Bright Ideas Fund, and this shopper experience. Tree and land surveys has allowed us to start business planning, have been completed and some trees have prepare for an economic study and a been felled. Sections of track bed have been social impact study and and to undertake cleared north and south of the station. For bridge engineering feasibility assessments. the rst time in its history the station has Preparation of mapping and essential a dedicated electricity supply and this has survey material has also begun and we have been installed in a large container, which will commenced technical and environmental also provide extra storage. is has enabled appraisals, including landscape and tree us to enhance the station’s security system: surveys, for future planning applications. it also means we can develop the café as the electricity supply will be enhanced. Consultations with potential We now have a much tidier and more stakeholders are underway about our future attractive yard with additional parking: aims and plans. Research has also been more will become available as the shed is undertaken about establishing the best form moved ‘o -site’ for storage. e old ‘Signing of Charity to meet the future aims of the in hut’ has been cleared and will be removed Trust. as will the ‘Oil Store’. A new fence, over Page 4 ½ km long, along with two new gates, has radio programmes. is year’s events have been erected, separating our access track included our Annual Shillie Bear Egg and the farmer’s eld and giving security to Hunt, August Fun Days, our stand at the the farmer, for his eld, and for us on the ree Okefords (aided by Project 62) and access road. A new shed and compost area the Great Dorset Steam Fair, supporting for the gardens has arrived to provide the the Dorset Doddlers with their ‘Stickler’ wherewithal to keep our gardens looking run, hosting live radio in the signal box, magni cent, as they were again this year. supporting the inaugurations of both ‘ e New museum curator has been appointed, White Hart Link’ and the ‘Little Lane’ and is busy enhancing our museum. We are walking routes, hosting care home visits, now active in the local museum network. school visits, parties, photo shoots and of All the items in the museum are being course….Santa’s visit! catalogued and photographed and their locations and provenance are being carefully is has been an exciting and recorded. productive year and we look forward to continuing developments in the coming Our relationship with Project 62 year. goes from strength to strength and visitors and volunteers alike have been taking a keen interest as less and less of 30075 is there to view: we look forward to watching her come back together as the boiler returns and the overhaul continues. (see page 14 for details Your Trustees of progress).
Publicity and marketing teams have been established to help develop and advertise our station and events more widely. Our Facebook page and website are being updated and further developed. Talks have been given to local groups and we have featured several times on local Page 5 THE WAGGONERS Hard at it Under the expert direction of Tony Jordan, Repairs to the chassis are almost complete, the waggoners (including Simon Gibbs, uprights have all been replaced and it now Alan Malsher, Alan Symons and Mike has a nice new roof. Work on the skin Greenwood) have been making excellent is now close to completion and it will progress with the restoration of two wagons. shortly be ready to have its doors tted. e pace of work has picked up with the addition of new volunteers, and restoration Next in line for completion is the LNWR of what we previously and incorrectly, called covered van acquired from RNAD (Royal the gunpowder wagon is well under way. Its Naval Armaments Depot) in Gosport in true identity has now been revealed as one of 1993 as No. 335: it has been repainted in the last two remaining Glasgow and South LNWR livery. is wagon was double clad Western Railway wagons of this design (the so that there were no nasty protuberances other has already been restored and is in the to catch on shells. is wagon has a Scottish Rail Museum at Bowness.) It seems good watertight roof, and at the moment that when the LMS took over the G&SW, is serving as a temporary workshop. they sold a number of wooden wagons Once this is complete, work will begin to the Navy. ese were used to move on the 1902 GWR general goods ammunition and explosives around wagon which has an all metal chassis: munitions dumps. this will require some welding. e next great challenge awaiting the team will be the brake van.
Tony Jordan trims one of the last timbers for the roof of the G&SW Wagon. Page 66 An original drawing always comes in handy...
As one wagon nears completion another. e good news is that the inner skin seems to be sound and will just require a coat of preservative - the same can’t be said for the outer skin! Page 7 Permanent Way Progress Lots has been happening on the section of track on the South (Stourpaine) side of the station. Track has been laid from the bu er stop at the Southern extremity of the site, and has reached a point just before the crossing gates. e point was reclaimed from the quarry in “Operation Chalk”, and a vital double chair was extracted from our museum and put back to good use. e pictures opposite provide some insight into the huge amount of work that has been undertaken recently. e point is now in place with a temporary lever until rodding is connected to the Signal Box. is can happen once the track has been laid through the station. We are looking forward to watching further progress as the loop is laid.
Then...
1965: e way ahead with very few trees, except our much lamented cypress just visible in the distance
...and now! e view towards the station in 2018, with track re-laid.
Page 8 John Collington
Page 9 Imperial War Museam
RUPERT The Imperial War Museum andBROOKE the Hood Battalion David Caddy tells the sad story of the departure of one of England’s greatest war poets, who left for Gallipoli through Shillingstone Station, never to return.
e Hood Battalion, 2nd Brigade of the Many of the stokers nding themselves in Royal Naval Division, famously marched the army and based on an exposed hill were from Blandford Camp to Shillingstone Rail- unhappy and often got drunk in the inns way Station on 28th February 1915. is is and public houses of Blandford when they one of the most historic events associated could go ashore. ey were issued with two with the Station. e Royal Naval Division trestles and three boards, two blankets, and was the brainchild of the First Lord of the straw mattress for bed and bedding. Training Admiralty, Winston Churchill, combining consisted of drill, marches, trench digging, o cers and men of the Royal Naval Vol- rie practice and mock attacks. Brooke unteer Reserve, stokers of the Royal Fleet wrote to his mother, on 20 December Reserve and seamen of the Royal Naval 1914, requesting enough mince pies, cakes, Reserve. Known as ‘Winston’s Little Army’, turkeys and plum puddings for 120 men, these soldiers adhered to the traditions and and three bottles of ’87 port for the o cers’ practices of the Royal Navy. e Hood mess. Brooke began the fth and nal Battalion attracted as o cers some of the sonnet of his 1914 series, ‘ e Soldier’ at most gifted men of their generation. ey Canford House, where he was guest of Lord included Arthur ‘Ock’ Asquith, the Prime and Lady Wimborne, on 23rd December, Minister’s son, William Denis Browne, and revised the poem at Pimperne Camp. one of England’s best young musicians e poem, which has never been out of and critics, Patrick Shaw-Stewart, a Balliol print, begins: scholar, poet and director of Barings Bank. ‘If I should die, think only this of me; / at there’s some corner of a foreign eld / at is for ever England’ famously sees death for England as salvation for the soul. Many of those who marched to the Station lost their lives in Gallipoli, Ancre and Passchendale. e o cers were subsequently known as the ‘lost generation’. e Hood Battalion. Page 10 On 13th January 1915, the War “If I should die, think only this Council in London approved the plans for of me; the Gallipoli campaign. On 15th January, That there’s some corner of a the Commanding O cer, Colonel Quilter briefed his o cers at Blandford Camp. foreign field e next few weeks were spent in intensive That is for ever England” training and preparations. Brooke received the galley proofs of his 1914 poems, due to appear in New Numbers poetry magazine, during a stay at Eastbury House, Tarrant Gunville. Churchill inspected the Battalion on 17 February in hurricane conditions, returning with King George V on 25th February for a highly patriotic inspection. e Hood’s silver band preceded the Battalion playing national airs, including For Auld Lang Syne, before friends and relatives of o cers. e King asked the Battalion about marching, digging and ries. Churchill glowed with pride at Brooke died of septicaemia from his men. e weather never conducive an infected mosquito bite whilst on a troop continued to be wet and cold. ship in the Aegean in April 1915 on the way to Gallipoli and was buried in an olive grove e Battalion, wearing pith in Skyros. helmets, marched in three batches, across open country from Pimperne Camp to Churchill wrote in e Times on Shillingstone Station in pouring rain. ey 26th April 1915: avoided Blandford Station, despite the fact that friends of the men were waiting to “Rupert Brooke is dead. A telegram wave them o , as it did not have an Up from the Admiral at Lemnos tells us that Platform loading dock unlike Shillingstone. this life has closed at the moment when ey were met outside the Station by a it seemed to have reached its springtime. canteen, organised by Lady Baker and her A voice had become audible, a note had lady friends, o ering plentiful supplies of been struck, more true, more thrilling, hot co ee. e nal batch of men arrived at more able to do justice to the nobility of 11.30 pm. e transport o cer experienced our youth in arms engaged in this present di culty in getting frisky and unruly mules war, than any other more able to express loaded on to the wagons and the train their thoughts of self-surrender, and with a nally left at 3.30 am bound for a 3 hour power to carry comfort to those who watch journey to Avonmouth Docks and onwards them so intently from afar. e voice has on the SS Grantully Castle. Many of the been swiftly stilled. Only the echoes and the men disgruntled at such a long march in memory remain; but they will linger.” wet and muddy conditions were happy to shelter at our Station. David Caddy Page 11 70 YEARS OF BRITISH RAILWAYS
1948 2018
On the weekend of 10th-11th February Shillingstone Station staged a special event to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the formation of British Railways from the “Big Four” railway companies. Weather conditions were horrible and families were pleased to take part in activities in the coach out of the rain, including a colouring competition, colouring drawings and cards by John Collington, an “O” gauge clockwork railway (courtesy of member Nigel Eveleigh) and Meccano activities organised by Viv Endecott. John Collington John Collington
Page 12 The Stickler On Sunday 23rd October we were pleased to welcome once again the competitors and their supporters in the Stickler and provide them with their nishing point. e race, now in its 23rd year, is organised John Collington by the Dorset Doddlers. It is a friendly and popular 10.1 mile race which climbs 1500ft over three Dorset peaks: Okeford Hill, Hod Hill and Hambledon Hill. e event takes its name from the infamous Above | The Dorset Doddlers standing by “Stickle Path” at the start of the route which leads from Shillingstone up Okeford Hill. Below | The Triumphant Finishers! is year the event attracted more than 540 entrants. e winning Senior male competitor was Hugh Aggleton of Stubbington Green Runners who recorded a time of 01:07:13. e fastest Female time was recorded by
John Collington Alex Sims who achieved 01:18:28. We were pleased to welcome the runners and their supporters, and the station cafe did a brisk trade keeping them supplied with drinks and snacks. Any of our members who fancy getting out their running shoes and taking an active part next year have until Sunday 28th October 2018 to get t! John Collington Winner Hugh Aggleton crosses the fi nish line Page 13 30075’s Boiler departs for its overhaul Our friends at Project 62 have been hard at work on 30075, preparing for li ing and removing the boiler on 31st January to take it to Vincent Engineering in Henstridge to be repaired and to obtain a 10 year insurance “ticket”. A huge amount of work went into the preparation for the removal: removing the water tanks, removing the cab, removing the insulation, removing pipe unions and controls held in place by obstinate nuts, and, not least, grinding the welded ends o 150 smoke tubes in the con ned space of the re box. For further details, and to follow the progress of the overhaul visit Project 62’s website: http://www.project62.co.uk/overhaul75.htm
After weeks of preparatory work, the remaining fixings were removed.
Chains attached the boiler to the crane and just a little more gentle persuasion was needed.
And the boiler is lifted clear.
Page 14 Safely on the low loader for its journey to Henstridge
30075 looks rather forlorn without her boiler, and with an upturned bucket to keep the rain
out of her blast pipe, Richard White but work can now start overhauling the chassis and running gear. D C GARDEN machinery Servicing, Repairs and Sales of all Horticultural Machinery Very competitive rates | Free collection and delivery | Free quotations
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Page 15 YOU SAY GOODBYE
Derek Lester-Jones relates the tale of the arrival - and departure - of the Mark III coach.
It was a normal Sunday and closing time was approaching when a customer asked me if I wanted a coach. I have been putting on a little weight but as for needing a coach? He went on to explain that he had a MKIII FO Bu et available and it was free to anyone who could move it within the next three weeks. I was none the wiser, but realising Above | The luxurious, First class interior of the Mark 3 coach with a it was a railway coach of view over Hambledon Hill some description I said, “Yes”. e gentleman explained it was at MK1 coach so that the disabled access is RAF Chilmark and had to be moved out as now in the correct position to align with the the site had been sold. A purchase had been platform at the end of the carriage siding. arranged but had fallen through at the last All this and the collection of the carriage minute and time was not with the vendor. took a lot longer than planned and the I then had the problem of telling route set for the transport meant crossing the other Trustees what I had done. (Never a hump-back bridge where it ‘bottomed’. act in haste!). To be honest, they seemed So, the drivers made a decision and came pleased with what I had arranged and set through Sturminster Newton. is change to organising the transport. ey even got of route and the amber ashing lights, in to visit the site to see the carriage. Leaving the late evening, caused a lot of interest me out of the negotiation, the price of the and several people came out of their houses carriage suddenly rose from free to £300 so I and followed the carriage to Shillingstone. felt obliged to pay for it, as I had agreed the Interest was so high that the local press purchase. carried an article about it being the rst e transport was coach in Sturminster Newton for 50 years! expensive, but, they delivered the Ruston, their loaned LowMac and they turned our
Page 16 e coach was cleaned and made Our stated aim is to re-create a water-tight. e Virgin Cross-County station with the ‘50s/ 60s’ atmosphere and stripes were removed and all seemed it became obvious that this coach did not t well. Work started on the electrics but in. So, when the new committee took over it was found that they were much more last year decisions were made and a buyer complicated than we were used to. Several was sought for the coach. Jeremy Hosking thousands of pounds would be needed to of the LNWR group based at Crewe showed buy batteries and the coach would only run interest and in due course he bought the with our 08 diesel, when it arrives. We used coach and collected it to join his eet. it for meetings and training, but in winter the coach was cold: it had to be heated with When delivered the transporters fan heaters and extension cables. In Summer had problems with Stur’s bridge. On the there was no way we could run the air- way to collect the coach the transporters conditioning and there were no windows to came foul of Durweston Bridge and caused open, so users cooked rather than have food quite a jam. Is there a lesson to be learnt? cooked for them in the coach. Many plans Whilst the departure of the coach leaves a were made for ne dining but the power gap in our stock book it leaves a healthy ller supply proved too large a hurdle and no in our bank balance! Would I say, “Yes,” to plans came to fruition. any further o ers without checking them through……….er…….
Goodbye to the Mark III... Page 17 AND I SAY HELLO British Railways standard Brake Van B950885 arrives at Shillingstone
ree members of NDRT have agreed a they also allowed the train guard to travel at loan/purchase agreement with the Trustees the rear, keeping an eye on things through and we all look forward to the ‘Waggoners’ the lookout duckets. getting on with the restoration of the brake van. e intention is not to restore it to B950885 was built in 1950 at original condition, but to make it a usable Faverdale, Darlington, under Lot number passenger wagon to give brake van rides. It 2137 to diagram 1/506, un tted (originally does come with roof vents, but these will built without continuous train brakes), at a be kept in store until such time as it can be cost of £732. B950885 now has a vacuum restored to original condition. In the gap cylinder tted for braking. Its maker’s where a stove would plates have apparently have been, benches been stolen but replicas will be made to match have been obtained. the existing benches. With no need for holes B950885 was in the roof for the withdrawn from the vents and stove pipe Tra c Department we can have a one piece for disposal in 1977, covering of the roof and sold to a private which will be easier to group for £750. Note maintain and keep the the small white handles inside dry. Wooden just above the frames doors will be added to that show a di erence the verandas to ensure to many other Lot Brake Van B950885 passengers can travel Above | numbers, later versions without falling o ! If possible the doors have single vertical handles rather than the on the verandas will be made wide enough two this brake van displays. for wheelchair access. We await the rst passenger trips, hopefully behind the Ruston. BR inherited many brake vans from the big four companies, and soon embarked on a building program, initially Goods brake vans were an integral divided between the existing LNER, LMS part of the UK freight scene. As the name and GWR designs. e LNER type was suggests, these vans were intended to evidently the most successful, as this was provide braking to goods trains (in addition selected (with minor modi cations) for all to that supplied by the locomotive), but batches built from 1950. Out of a total Page 18 And I say hello Hall ween continued... Event John Collington
Above | Replica Maker’s Plate e last weekend in October saw spooky kids enjoying our Halloween event, dressed of 5248 built by BR, 4922 were to the in their spooky costumes and looking out ex-LNER or BR diagrams. e last BR for the spiders! standard brake vans were built in November A very big thank you to our Chair Yvonne 1962. and her Mum for the scary decorations. e LNER and BR designs with a 16ft long body have short verandas at each end. Two step boards were tted to each side and are full length on the BR variant, while concrete or scrap metal weights were built into the chassis and ends to provide additional braking e ort. Un tted, vacuum-piped and vacuum- tted examples were built. John Collington
Settled in, and awaiting the tlc of the Waggoners
Page 19 A TALE OF TWO RAILWAYMEN ...Continued! In the previous edition of Platform, Jack told us about the visit to the station of two ex Somerset & Dorset railwaymen, Bob Downes and John Cluett. Here are some more of their reminiscences. Bob, who was a porter, was able to tell us token and having to make a sudden stop and about many of the products delivered to highly elaborate shunting sequences carried the station: animal feed, including Dairy out to get a certain truck into the dock. Nuts for cattle and Pellets and Mash for Later in their visit, both Bob and John poultry were delivered to Silcocks and climbed the stairs to the Signal Box. Levers and stored in their shed. ese Standing amongst the visiting radio hams arrived in sacks from Avonmouth Docks and their amateur radio paraphernalia, near Bristol. Coal came in to the station they instructed many visitors on the the and was delivered to the surrounding area ringing of bell codes and sequences of by Snows, and Basic Slag (a high phosphate pulling signal and points levers. At one fertiliser originating in steelworks) was stage it looked like a competition to see brought in and delivered to local farmers. how many people we could get into the John also has many old railwaymens’ tales: box! ere was an electrifying atmosphere a passing locomotive crew dropping their with sequences of signal procedures Jack interviews Bob Downes John Collington
Page 20 ringing out, the clunking of levers being pulled, and the hiss, crackle and call signs being emitted by the radio operators. Looking back, Bob and John were part of a once very exciting industry, but the end came very swiftly. Bob relates how he John Collington returned from a training course in London, only to nd the line closed and he had to get the bus home from Poole to Blandford as the Somerset and Dorset was no longer available. We hope to see more of both Bob and John in the future, especially as they have such good memories of their previous railway experiences and can throw so much light on what Shillingstone Station meant to the local community. By Jack Bath
Page 21 From The Archives By Jack Bath A check rail chair comes out of vintages of ordinary chairs in the relative retirement and gets back to work! peace of the museum, has now been In carrying out the recent installation of the given a useful existence in more tranquil southern end Down Loop point work, the outdoor surroundings. It is now looking Permanent Way gang were short of a check forward to having a train pass over it rail chair and one of our museum artefacts sometime in the future and I guess we was enticed out of retirement and put back won’t miss it too much up at the museum into work! – being twice the size of an ordinary chair it was jolly heavy to move about! A cast iron check-rail chair di ers from Our check rail chair can be easily spotted ordinary cast iron railway chairs in that it next time you are walking along the has a double recess to take two standard rails Trailway between the level crossing and in very close proximity. Vicarage Gate. Check rails are short lengths of rail which are used near crossings and points (a lot longer when guarding severe curves or bridges) to ensure that locomotive and rolling stock anged wheels stay on the railway track during the short time the wheel anges on the opposite side are traversing gaps in the opposite running rail. Our donated chair, at one time sitting alongside several examples of various
Clearing the way to Lamb House Bridge
We may be getting a little bit ahead of ourselves, but our volunteers have been hard at work clearing the way to Lamb House Bridge, allowing more detailed surveying of the condition of the bridge and the embankment between it and the station. All essential work in preparation of the route to Sturminster Newton...
Page 22 Scammell Delivery Vehicle This is our 1934 Scammell Mechanical Horse, which is currently in bits in a volunteer’s garage. This was designed to replace the horse and cart for door-to-door deliveries. These Scammells were a common sight on our streets and stations in the ‘30s and ‘40s. Less than 30 have survived and this is possibly the oldest. A horse and cart could do around 20 miles a day at 4MPH. The Scammell can do 20MPH and is as manoeuvrable droppings and although we have a as a horse and cart. The trailer logbook, getting a new V5 may require can also be changed in minutes. some help from the Scammell Club. Railways bought them in large numbers We want to use the vehicle, together to replace their fleets of horses and carts. with our newly acquired 3 ton Scammell Our one was a very early model... trailer, to advertise ourselves at fairs and it’s the deluxe version, with doors! displays, probably sporting S&D Prussian John Giles, the Scammell Blue livery. However, there is a lot of Mechanical Horse Club historian work to do before it gets out and about. Its visited us to check it out and to 1150cc side valve engine is currently being verify the provenance of the vehicle. removed for overhaul and some of our It has not been on the road for 35+ volunteers have taken bits of bodywork years and is thick in dust and bird to work on restoring them over the winter.
A new acquisition: The Scammell now has a trailer
Page 23 Annual General Meeting Reports Great Progress in 2017-18 Council for Inland Transport, which is disbanding, announced that following a selection procedure they will make a donation 5 YEARS of £3,000 to the NDRT. is excellent ACCOUNTS news was met with a round of applause. POSTED ere were suggestions that video reminiscences of previous users of the S&DJR should be made and the Trust should give lectures and talks. e Chair e Annual General meeting of the North replied that some videos were made last Dorset Railway Trust, who own the lease year by the S&DJR Trust during last of Shillingstone Railway Station, was year’s event marking the 50th anniversary held on Saturday 24th February 2018 of closure of the line and that the NDRT at 10.00 am at Durweston Village Hall. delivers a range of talks to interested groups. e Chair’s report which had been circulated ere being no further business, the beforehand was read to the members. e meeting closed. Chair added that during the year, 2016/17, volunteer’s hours on site had recorded a 15% increase over the previous year. is is a very positive sign and the Chair VOLUNTEERS’ expressed her gratitude to all the volunteers HOURS UP 15% and members who support the Trust. e Treasurer reported that ve years of accounts have now been posted on the Charity Commission website. Key Points Under ‘any other business’ the Chair announced that membership fees would • Yvonne orne continues as Chair be increased from 1st April 2018 to (2 years remaining) bring them more into line with other similar projects. (It is thought that • Robin Buss continues as treasurer they haven’t risen for at least 8 years) (1 year remaining) A member of the Trust, also of the National • Colin Fisher elected unopposed as Secretary for 3 year term £3,000 DONATION • New Executive Committee of trustees ANNOUNCED elected: Geo Baker, Jack Bath, David Caddy, John Drew, Patrick Law, Derek Lester-Jones
Page 24 Can Yo u Help us? Two positions (for members only) are becoming vacant soon: Treasurer Health and Safety Manager
If you are a member and would be interested in helping out by taking on one of these very important roles, please contact the Secretary, Colin Fisher. ([email protected])
Page 25 SHILLINGSTONE SIGNAL BOX HANDBOOK AVAILABLE NOW! Written by Jack Bath. Available for Purchase now in the Signal Box and shop
A new handbook has been produced for the signal box detailing the Handbook and Tyer construction of both the original box and Tablet Machine the replica. It includes detailed information on the interior equipment and artefacts including the Tyer electric tablet machine, together with a detailed explanation of the way the tablet system operated. It was, of course, crucial to the safe operation of the single track Somerset and Dorset Railway, ensuring that only one train could operate on each section at any one time, thus avoiding the danger of collision.
ere is a detailed explanation of the bell codes used to communicate between the signal boxes: it gives a breakdown of the communications that would take place as an “Up” passenger train moved from Blandford, stopping at Shillingstone, and then moving on to Sturminster Newton.
e handbook has been John Collington thoroughly researched and written by Jack Bath and includes a beautifully detailed and annotated centre page illustration by John Collington. It has been produced in an authentic retro style and is competitively priced at £2.00. Available in the signal box.
Page 26 Radio Solent Interview
As part of the programme of events to raise our public profile and to increase awareness of what we are doing at Shillingstone, we have taken part in a number of promotional activities, including interviews on Hope FM and Radio Solent, in addition to items that have appeared in the local press BBC Radio Solent such as The Blackmore Vale Magazine. Here, David Caddy is pictured with Ian Ramsdale just before his interview with Radio Solent. Appearances like these have reached people in a wider geographical area and brought them to visit the station.
PLATFORM RESURFACING
If you have visited the station recently, you may have noticed that the platform under the canopy has been beautifully resurfaced with Tarmac, removing hazardous and unsightly potholes and allowing much easier access for those using mobility scooters. e surface would now be suitable for the arrival of a royal visitor, like the one for whom the canopy was originally built!
Page 27 If you’re reading this, you’re probably a member already, but...... if you’re not, why not use this form to join the Trust and start making a real contribution to our work through your subscription? You may also copy it and encourage friends and family to join as well. As a member of the NDRT, you will receive regular copies of our Magazine PLATFORM and have access to all areas on Station Open Days. You will also have the chance to become actively involved in the restoration work if you wish. Title First (Mr/Mrs) Name(s) Surname Date of Birth (if under 16)
Address Telephone
Mobile
Email Postcode
If you are able to offer your services to the Trust, please give details of any special skills.
(payable annually with the Membership Rates excepction Life members) I/we wish to apply for ADULT (individual) £16.00 (category) membership of The North JUNIOR (under 16) £10.00 Dorset Railway Trust and attach a cheque/ P.O. for £ payable to The FAMILY (2 adults + children) £25.00 North Dorset Railway Trust to cover my/ CORPORATE £50.00 our rst year’s subscription. Life Adult (individual) £425.00 Senior Individual Life (60+) £200.00 Senior Joint Life (one 60+) £300.00 Signed Date When complete, please hand this form to a member of the Station sta or send it to :- The North Dorset Railway Trust, Shillingstone Station, St Patrick’s Industrial Estate, Station Road, Shillingstone, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 0SA
THE MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY WILL CONTACT YOU WITH YOUR MEMBERSHIP CARD(S) AND FURTHER INFORMATION Page 28 THE NORTH DORSET RAILWAY TRUST TRUSTEES & OFFICIALS TRUSTEESChair, Finance Chair & OFFICIALS Yvonne Thorne Treasurer Robin Buss Secretary Colin Fisher
Executive Committee of Trustees Geo rey Baker | Trustee & Plant Manager Jack Bath | Trustee, Chair Training Sub com., Chair Events & Museum sub com., Museum Curator David Caddy | Trustee, Chair Planning & Development sub com. John Drew | Trustee, Chair Site sub com. Patrick Law | Trustee, Chair H&S sub com. Derek Lester-Jones | Trustee, Chair Retail & Cafe sub com.
Other O cials of the Trust Will Appelbee | Platform Magazine Editor Beryl Beecham | Head Gardener Andy Butler | Cafe Manager John Collington | Marketing & Media O cer Ian Harrington | Operations Manager Jon Jenkins | Membership Secretary Many other volunteers work at the station but all report to one of the above Trustees or o - cials. If you would like to join them as a volunteer, please contact Jack Bath at the station who will be able to provide you with more details of the work currently available. The above can be contacted via email [email protected] or by letter to The North Dorset Railway Trust, The Station, Shillingstone, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 0SA. Phone contact may also be made during station opening hours (Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays, 10am to 4pm) on 01258 860696 although it should be borne in mind that not all sta will be present at the station on any given day. An answerphone is installed and any messages will be dealt with on the next day the station is sta ed. Page 29 Dates for your Diary
Saturday 19th May ree Okefords Steam Rally (& Royal Wedding Day & F.A. Cup Final) Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th June Traction Engine Steam Up with live evening entertainment Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th August Volunteers Recruitment Weekend ursday 23rd to Monday 27th August Great Dorset Steam Fair Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd September - ROTA with FRARS Signal Box Weekend (Railways on the Air with Flight Refuelling Amateur Radio Society) Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st October SB 140 Celebration Weekend commemorating the 140th anniversary of the opening of Shillingstone’s original Signal Box and the installation of the original ‘Down Loop’ doubling of track through station. Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th October Halloween Weekend Saturday 17th November National Museums ‘Take-Over’ Day Sunday 28th November ‘ e Stickler’ Saturday 1st December Volunteers’ Christmas Party Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th December Santa Weekend
Page 30 IMPORTANT GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATION You may have heard of the Data Protection Regulations which are coming in to force this May. In order for us to be able to contact you in the future, we need your express personal consent to allow us to store your personal data. You will also need to tell us how you would like us to contact you. Unfortunately, if we do not receive this from you, we will not be able to contact you again in the future. You will soon receive either an email or a form in the post from the Trust. Please complete this and return it to us to give your consent so that we are able to contact you in the future. Page 31 Platform Issue 8.indd 28 11/03/2014 09:00:23