Midsomer Norton Work In Progress Weekend

28th August 2004

On the weekend of the 28th & 29th of August, Midsomer Norton Station, sprang into a frenzy, as the gates opened to the public and railway enthusiasts alike. The 28th of August was also the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Somerset Central Railway, later joining the Dorset Central Railway, to become the much loved S&DJR. Because of the significance of this date, it was fitting that for the first time in many years, the public would have the chance to travel in the cab of a standard gauge locomotive over the S&DJR.
 
In excess of 300 people passed through the station gates, to witness the high quality work that has taken place in recent times. In addition to looking at the restoration work and taking a cab ride, there were also refreshments and displays from local societies. A profit of around Ł800 was made, with over Ł600 from the SDRHT sales stand alone.
 
The main event of the weekend, however, had to being the naming of English Electric 0-6-0 industrial diesel locomotive "David J. Cook". No.10, formerly D1120, is in the process of being purchased from the Somerset & Dorset Locomotive Company in Yeovil. The late David Cook, who sadly passed away a couple of years ago, was the Trusts' former publicity officer. David was also on the board and a member of the consortium, who are purchasing the locomotive. David's other passion was the maintenance of the station gardens, carrying on a tradition the station was always well known for in B.R days - a fitting tribute.
 
The next major event will be the 5th & 6th of March 2005, coinciding with the 39th anniversary of the closure of the S&DJR. Plans are well underway, in order to make it a weekend, which will firmly put Midsomer Norton on the heritage railway map, as a significant operational centre. S&DRHT Chairman, John Baxter said, "I am trying to seek the Ł11,000 sponsorship that I reckon will be needed to get 92 Squadron down to Midsomer Norton. The plan is to translate her into 34057 one day and 34006 the next - a tall order but I hope we can do it".
 
It is hoped, that shortly, the station will open on the first Sunday of every month, for rides using No.10. By Christmas there will be a brakevan for this purpose.
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<a href="http://www.sdjr.co.uk/" target="_new">Click here</a> to find out more (site subject to availabilty).
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<a href="http://groups.msn.com/MidsomerNortonStation/" target="_new">Click here</a> for Midsomer Norton Station MidsomerNortonStation@groups.msn.com
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Full size images broken? <a href="http://www.nevard.com/sdjr/midsomer_gallery03.htm">Click here</a> for a working mirror site!
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A 1950's Austin A30. Midsomer Norton Work In Progress Weekend. 28 August 2004. Nikon D70 040828_ms-norton_forecourt-a30_03_web2.jpg 2004-08-28 12:42:23	English Electric No.10 'David J. Cook'. Midsomer Norton Work In Progress Weekend. 28 August 2004. Nikon D70 040828_ms-norton_ee-no10-david-j-cook_02_web2.jpg 2004-08-28 12:33:20	English Electric No.10 'David J. Cook'. Midsomer Norton Work In Progress Weekend. 28 August 2004. Nikon D70 040828_ms-norton_ee-no10_loading-gauge_01_web2.jpg 2004-08-28 12:32:49	English Electric No.10 'David J. Cook'. Midsomer Norton Work In Progress Weekend. 28 August 2004. Nikon D70 040828_ms-norton_ee-no10-david-j-cook_04_web2.jpg 2004-08-28 12:32:05
English Electric No.10 'David J. Cook'. Midsomer Norton Work In Progress Weekend. 28 August 2004. Nikon D70 040828_ms-norton_ee-no10_loading-gauge_03_web2.jpg 2004-08-28 12:26:45	English Electric No.10 'David J. Cook'. Midsomer Norton Work In Progress Weekend. 28 August 2004. Nikon D70 040828_ms-norton_ee-no10-david-j-cook_03_web2.jpg 2004-08-28 12:19:01	English Electric No.10 'David J. Cook'. Midsomer Norton Work In Progress Weekend. 28 August 2004. Nikon D70 040828_ms-norton_ee-no10-david-j-coo2k_06_web.jpg 2004-08-28 12:09:43	English Electric No.10 'David J. Cook'. Midsomer Norton Work In Progress Weekend. 28 August 2004. Nikon D70 040828_ms-norton_ee-no10-david-j-cook_07_web2.jpg 2004-08-28 12:07:47
Busy platform. Midsomer Norton Work In Progress Weekend. 28 August 2004. Nikon D70 040828_ms-norton_gen-v_01_web2.jpg 2004-08-28 12:00:48	English Electric No.10 'David J. Cook'. Midsomer Norton Work In Progress Weekend. 28 August 2004. Nikon D70 040828_ms-norton_ee-no10_loading-gauge_02_web2.jpg 2004-08-28 11:59:59	English Electric No.10 'David J. Cook'. Midsomer Norton Work In Progress Weekend. 28 August 2004. Nikon D70 040828_ms-norton_ee-no10-david-j-cook_05_web2.jpg 2004-08-28 11:41:58	A 1950's Austin A35. Midsomer Norton Work In Progress Weekend. 28 August 2004. Nikon D70 040828_ms-norton_forecour2t-a30_01_web.jpg 2004-08-28 11:37:22
A 1950's Austin A35. Midsomer Norton Work In Progress Weekend. 28 August 2004. Nikon D70 040828_ms-norton_forecourt-a30_02_web2.jpg 2004-08-28 11:37:02	Miniature power. Midsomer Norton Work In Progress Weekend. 28 August 2004. Nikon D70 040828_ms-norton_miniature_02_web2.jpg 2004-08-28 11:34:34	Work progressing well with signal box reconstruction. It is hoped that the box will be complete by August 2006. Midsomer Norton Work In Progress Weekend. 28 August 2004. Nikon D70 040828_ms-norton_signalbox_02_web2.jpg 2004-08-28 11:32:41	Work progressing well with signal box reconstruction. It is hoped that the box will be complete by August 2006. Midsomer Norton Work In Progress Weekend. 28 August 2004. Nikon D70 040828_ms-norton_signalbox_01_web2.jpg 2004-08-28 11:32:20
Next stop Chilcompton, English Electric No.10 'David J. Cook'. Midsomer Norton Work In Progress Weekend. 28 August 2004. Nikon D70 040828_ms-norton_ee-no10-stop_web2.jpg 2004-08-28 11:28:20	Miniature power. Midsomer Norton Work In Progress Weekend. 28 August 2004. Nikon D70 040828_ms-norton_miniature_01_web2.jpg 2004-08-28 11:21:39	English Electric No.10 'David J. Cook'. Midsomer Norton Work In Progress Weekend. 28 August 2004. Nikon D70 040828_ms-norton_ee-no10-david-j-cook_01_web2.jpg 2004-08-28 11:13:56	Naming of English Electric No.10 'David J. Cook'. Midsomer Norton Work In Progress Weekend. 28 August 2004. Nikon D70 040828_ms-norton_ee-no10-mayor_web2.jpg 2004-08-28 11:12:14

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