Railway station given go ahead for regular services

A view of the restored Shillingstone station on a sunny day. The sky is a pale, bright blue with some cloud. There is a red brick building to the left of the rail track, which is framed by large green trees and has an awning coming out over the platform with people walking around. To the left is a row of three brown picnic benches with people sat down. A black train sits on the track.North Dorset Railway

A development programme to restore Shillingstone station has been running for 20 years

Trevor Bevins
Local Democracy Reporting Service

Final plans to turn a station into an operational railway and museum have been given the go ahead.

Dorset Council has approved a change of use proposal for Shillingstone station, submitted by North Dorset Railway.

The green light for the 2.3 hectare (5.6 acre) former railway station comes after a 20-year development programme and is the final stage before it can start regular steam and diesel services.

The railway is currently only open to the public three days a week, with occasional bank holiday opening times.

Locomotive movements are currently restricted to days when rolling stock has to be moved for display purposes, exhibition, or training purposes.

The railway group hopes continued improvements to the site will increase visitor footfall in the station café and shop, which helps fund 780m (2,559ft) of track.

A black and white image from 1962. A 7F 2-8-0 S&DJR locomotive 53808 is on the track, with steam coming out of its chimney as it approaches a small hut, with a sign which reads "Shillingstone" on the front.North Dorset Railway

The line was originally operated by the Somerset and Dorset Railway, and then British Railways, until its closure in 1966

A statement from the group said: "Our intention through this application is to be able to run passenger services over the full length of the site.

"Over the last 20 years it has become more than just a heritage railway and museum. It is now a community-based hub in the heart of North Dorset which provides a place for young and old to meet and share interests.

"The proposed change of use would allow greater social, educational and training opportunities for all. It would enhance the railway's attraction as a visitor destination as well as giving enormous pleasure and satisfaction to its volunteers."

Another view of the restored Shillingstone station. There is a black train sat on the track and a yellow truck on the opposite track working on the site. In the distance is the station property with the green and white awning over the platform. In the foreground of the image is more track and a grass verge to the left.North Dorset Railway

North Dorset Railway plans to regularly run a small steam locomotive and a diesel locomotive from the station

The line, on the northern edge of the village, was originally operated by the Somerset and Dorset Railway, and then British Railways, until its closure in 1966.

It is anticipated trains will run from the station platform eastwards, over the bridge and then return to the station.

The group initially plans to run a small steam locomotive, built in 1960, for passenger services and a diesel locomotive, built in 1959.

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