New ‘Old coach’ at Midsomer Norton Station

The Railway at Midsomer Norton has taken delivery of a restored open brake coach borrowed from the North Yorks Railway for three years The coach is an example of the ones used in one of the last special trains that ran over the S&D on its last day as a through route on the 6th March 1966.

Trust Member, John Baxter said

“It is a remarkable survivor and all the more remarkable is the fact that one of the Trust's members, Mike Ware, travelled in this very coach on that day with his father, Bernard who was the Guard that day.  The Trust has invited Mike to help with an internal repaint of his Dad's old compartment and he will have the honour, once the outside has been painted in Midland maroon, to add the BR lion emblem on the side. 

 “It had its maiden voyage at the ‘Real Ale day’ weekend at the station when it was found to be an excellent place for a bar. Visitors were treated to rides up the restored track and were able to sample some real ales from the Milk Street brewery in Frome and the Box Steam Brewery in Holt supplied by the Redan Inn in Chilcompton

 “Its next outing will be for our Midsummer at Midsomer event on June 17th and 18th. Look out for a special offer for Father’s Day to include lots of lovely activities on the station.

More information about this and other events can be found on the recently updated website www.sdjr.co.uk - or you can call 01761 411221 on a Sunday (am or pm) or Monday (pm) or pop into the station.