Sunday 6th March 2016.
SPECIAL EVENT TO MARK THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE CLOSURE OF THE 'S & D' RAILWAY.
Merchant Navy class 35028 'Clan Line' hauling the RCTS special train on the 6th March 1966 as it passed between Common Lane and Templecombe. The rear of the train is at the site of the present day GLR 'Tower View' station. Photo by: Derek Cross
|
48706 & 80043 approach Henstridge station hauling the Southbound SLS special train on the 6th March 1966. Only minutes before, this train had traversed the actual trackbed of the present day GLR! Photo by: Unknown
|
The unique ‘S & D’ railway, often referred to as "the Slow and Dirty", "the Slow and Doubtful" or the “Serene and Delightful”, was a sad victim of the savage ‘Beeching’ railway line closures in the 1960s. The actual closure of the line was to be widely mourned and on the 6th March 1966 the last special passenger trains ran between Bath (Green Park) and Bournemouth (West). Although much of the old route has returned to nature or been developed, the ‘S&D’ still elicits fond memories from former staff members and passengers alike together with a new generation of rail enthusiasts – some not even born when the line sadly closed!
The location of the Gartell Light Railway on the formation of the Somerset & Dorset Line at the site of the former ‘Common Lane’ Level Crossing together with the GLR’s unique association with the much lamented S & D, ensures that the re-creation of events 50 years ago will be a special event not to be missed by S & D enthusiasts and keen followers of the GLR alike!
The Gartell Light Railway plan to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the ‘S & D’ closure by running two very special steam hauled trains over a unique section of the former Somerset & Dorset line. With the aim of recreating the last ‘double headed’ steam hauled passenger trains over the S & D the GLR’s owner, John Gartell, is keen to replicate many of the details of the day – from using 2 steam engines to haul the special 9 coach trains with the passengers holding special commemorative tickets to running the actual special trains as near as possible to the times that the final trains passed along much of the course of the Gartell Light Railway exactly 50 years ago! In the ‘Pines Buffet’ of the GLR, passengers will also be able to study the display of the extensive collection of S & D photos & memorabilia amassed by GLR volunteer, Ian Matthews.
The location of the Gartell Light Railway on the formation of the Somerset & Dorset Line at the site of the former ‘Common Lane’ Level Crossing together with the GLR’s unique association with the much lamented S & D, ensures that the re-creation of events 50 years ago will be a special event not to be missed by S & D enthusiasts and keen followers of the GLR alike!
The Gartell Light Railway plan to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the ‘S & D’ closure by running two very special steam hauled trains over a unique section of the former Somerset & Dorset line. With the aim of recreating the last ‘double headed’ steam hauled passenger trains over the S & D the GLR’s owner, John Gartell, is keen to replicate many of the details of the day – from using 2 steam engines to haul the special 9 coach trains with the passengers holding special commemorative tickets to running the actual special trains as near as possible to the times that the final trains passed along much of the course of the Gartell Light Railway exactly 50 years ago! In the ‘Pines Buffet’ of the GLR, passengers will also be able to study the display of the extensive collection of S & D photos & memorabilia amassed by GLR volunteer, Ian Matthews.
Local author Bob Bunyar will also be present at the GLR between 13:30 and 16:00 to sign copies of his new S & D book 'Somerset & Dorset swansong - a steam railway to the last'.
Steam on the S & D , the opportunity to purchase a new signed S & D book to add to your collection - what better reasons do you need to visit the GLR on Sunday 6th March! |
The GLR special trains - Sunday 6th March 2016
Demand for the two special trains is expected to be high - especially for the optional fare supplements which will include either a 2 course buffet luncheon (£10 supplement) for the morning ‘Up train’ or an afternoon cream tea (£5.00 supplement) for the afternoon ‘Down’ train. The standard pre-booked fare for the morning or afternoon train will be £20.00. You are advised to book early to avoid disappointment!
Option 1
£30.00 with buffet luncheon
£20.00 rail journey only.
The ‘Up Train’ - which originally ran between Bournemouth and Bath over much of the course of the present day Gartell Light Railway.
Scheduled to leave the ‘Common Lane’ terminus of the Gartell Light Railway at 11:30, the special 9 coach train will be initially diesel hauled over the steep ascent up and onto the actual formation of the Somerset & Dorset line at ‘Pinesway Junction for the delightful journey to the end of the line at ‘Park Lane’ station.
Here, two powerful steam locomotives will then haul the train for a unique ‘non-stop’ run along the actual ‘S & D’ to the Northern terminus of the Gartell Light Railway at ‘Tower View’ station. A diesel will then attach to the rear of the train for the trip back to ‘Pinesway Junction’ where, once again, the two steam locomotives will haul the train for the descent back to ‘Common Lane’ station. Pre-booked passengers can then retire to the comfort of the GLR’s ‘Pines Buffet’ to enjoy a two course buffet lunch.
£30.00 with buffet luncheon
£20.00 rail journey only.
The ‘Up Train’ - which originally ran between Bournemouth and Bath over much of the course of the present day Gartell Light Railway.
Scheduled to leave the ‘Common Lane’ terminus of the Gartell Light Railway at 11:30, the special 9 coach train will be initially diesel hauled over the steep ascent up and onto the actual formation of the Somerset & Dorset line at ‘Pinesway Junction for the delightful journey to the end of the line at ‘Park Lane’ station.
Here, two powerful steam locomotives will then haul the train for a unique ‘non-stop’ run along the actual ‘S & D’ to the Northern terminus of the Gartell Light Railway at ‘Tower View’ station. A diesel will then attach to the rear of the train for the trip back to ‘Pinesway Junction’ where, once again, the two steam locomotives will haul the train for the descent back to ‘Common Lane’ station. Pre-booked passengers can then retire to the comfort of the GLR’s ‘Pines Buffet’ to enjoy a two course buffet lunch.
Option 2
£25.00 with afternoon cream tea £20.00 rail journey only The ‘Down Train’ - which originally ran between Bath and Bournemouth over much of the course of the present day Gartell Light Railway. Scheduled to leave the ‘Common Lane’ terminus of the Gartell Light Railway at 14:15, the special 9 coach train will initially be steam hauled over the demanding incline to ‘Pinesway Junction’ - located on the formation of the Somerset and Dorset railway. A diesel will then be attached to the rear of the train for the trip to the ‘Tower View’ terminus station of the GLR. The two steam locomotives will then haul the special train non-stop to ‘Park Lane’ station where a diesel will then provide the motive power for the return journey to ‘Pinesway Junction’. The two steam locomotives will then attach to the front of the train for the final section of the journey back to ‘Common Lane’. Pre-booked passengers can then retire to the comfort of the GLR’s ‘Pines Buffet’ to enjoy a delicious traditional afternoon cream tea. |
The uniqueness of the occasion and the actual location of the Gartell Light Railway on the former 'S & D' railway combine to make our celebration event a very special one for lovers of the 'S & D' and the GLR alike.
Join us at the Gartell Light Railway to 'celebrate' the demise of one of the most famous railways in this country by travelling on one of our steam hauled special trains along part of the former S & D railway through the Somerset countryside.
Clink on the link below to download a booking form for our special event then complete the form
and return it to us at the GLR by post, to secure your place on one of our very special trains.
Alternatively, call us on 01963 370752 to make a telephone booking.
Join us at the Gartell Light Railway to 'celebrate' the demise of one of the most famous railways in this country by travelling on one of our steam hauled special trains along part of the former S & D railway through the Somerset countryside.
Clink on the link below to download a booking form for our special event then complete the form
and return it to us at the GLR by post, to secure your place on one of our very special trains.
Alternatively, call us on 01963 370752 to make a telephone booking.
glr_booking_form_6th_march_2016.doc |
© Copyight Gartell Light Railway 2014. All rights reserved.
The Gartell Light Railway (GLR) is a privately owned and operated railway. The GLR reserves the right to alter or cancel its advertised open day dates and train services without prior notice though every effort is made to adhere to the advertised dates and schedules.
GLR| Common Lane| Yenston| Templecombe|Somerset|BA8 0NB
Telephone: 01963 370752 Fax: 01963 37391 Email: [email protected]
The Gartell Light Railway (GLR) is a privately owned and operated railway. The GLR reserves the right to alter or cancel its advertised open day dates and train services without prior notice though every effort is made to adhere to the advertised dates and schedules.
GLR| Common Lane| Yenston| Templecombe|Somerset|BA8 0NB
Telephone: 01963 370752 Fax: 01963 37391 Email: [email protected]