Back To S&DR Index

SOMERSET & DORSET RAILWAY WALK

MIDSOMER NORTON TO RADSTOCK

(4th Aug. 2018) Update 17th Aug. 2018).

The track bed from Midsomer Norton South station to Radstock is walkable. However, not completely along the S&DJct track bed due to the final quarter of
a mile not being available.  Just outside Radstock you have to take a short detour that takes you onto the Ex North Somerset railway track bed and into
Radstock. The North Somerset Rlwy track bed is also walkable from Midsomer Norton North station site into Radstock. You join the NSR track bed just where
it drops under the S&D JR Five Arch viaduct. The two track bed split once more for the final 100 years or so, where you can take either track bed up to the two
station sites.

From the Ex station sites you can either walk the S&DJ as far as Shocombe or the NSR into Frome. In this case we shall continue on the S&DJ track bed
to Shocombe in another page. The station was not in Shocombe village but a quarter mile or so northwards at Single Hill. The station was called Shocombe &
Single Hill Halt.

We start the walk from the site of the preserved station at Midsomer Norton South Station.

   

 
The present day site of Midsomer Norton South Station. It has been fully refurbished and is open to steam train runs every weekend. This is the north
eastern end of the station where the railway bridge over the road has been demolished. Trains can only run southwards towards Chilcompton. A path
has been created to take walkers up on to the track bed where you can walk to Radstock. However, this is just for a short way where another bridge
has been demolished and the S&DJR track bed is unavailable. A short path takes you onto the Ex North Somerset track bed that you can walk
into Radstock.


North side of the ex under bridge on the B3355 with the working station site on
the other side.

 

     

 

 
The old railway bridge has been demolished over Pit Road. But you can get down to road level and cross to the entrance back onto the track bed.

 
Left: The south side path down onto Pit Road. Right: The entrance back onto the track bed on the opposite side. It is signed.

 

 
Through the gate off Pit Road and back onto the track bed. Right: The blockage looking southwards back to the Midsomer Norton station.

 
Towards Radstock.

 

 

 
Views northwards from the track bed.

 
Right: The track continued straight ahead and over he Radstock Road. However the bridge has been demolished and a new path curves around te old track bed
down to the main road.

 
Left: The track bed is diverted onto a modern path for a short way. It ran through the overgrown way through the trees. Right: Looking back toward Midsomer Norton.

 
The new path diverting around the track bed (To the left) and dropping down to the main road where the railway bridge has been removed.

 
Site of the over bridge. The path leading down to Radstock Road.

 

This is where I got way-laid and missed the diversion to get onto the Ex North Somerset track bed for the final walk into Radstock and walked along
the main road until it was possible to get back onto the track bed once again. The following photos are from my next walk from Midsomer Norton
North station into Radstock and starts from the path I should have taken taken in the first instance.

From my walk on the 4th Of August. Starting from where I joined the North Sumerset Track bed and into Radstock. Near the "Five Arch Viaduct"
were the S&DJR  ran over the top
.


The blue line follows the S&DJR from Midsomer Norton South to Radstock. The red line follows the actual path that diverts from the track bed to Radstock Road. You then turn
left and follow the red line until you meet the Ex North Somerset track bed and walk into Radstock, passing under the Five Arch Viaduct. You get back onto the S&DJR track
bed just before entering Radstock.

===================================

 
On the Ex North Somerset track bed and on to Radstock (GWR) West station.

 
'Five Arch Viaduct' West side. The S&DJR ran over the North Somerset railway line from Bristol to Radstock West Stn.) and onto Frome.

 

 
'Five Arch Viaduct'. East Side. The S&DJR crossed over the bridge from Midsomer Norton from the left. The Norh Somerset Railway towards Midsomer Norton
North station site and to Bristol.

 
Radstock side of Five Arch Viaduct looking back towards Midsomer Norton.


Five Arch Viaduct with S&D double-headed express running over the top into Radstock. Bath In Time Photo.
(Authour Unknown).


Five Arch Viaduct with a S&D freight running over the top towards Midsomer Norton. The North Somerset line is seen below and
towards Bristol. In Time Photo. (Authour Unknown).


The NSR towards Radstock.

====================================================

From my first walk where I joined the NSR track bed and into Radstock.

 
Where the two branch lines parted and ran into their respective stations at Radstock. Left. The S&DJR. Right: The NSR track bed towards Radstock.

=======

 
Left: Looking back along the S&DJR as it comes in from off the Five Arched viaduct. Right: Same spot towards Radstock.

   

   

 
Left: The Ex NSR bridge over the river. From the S&DJR track bed. Right: The last few yards to the crossing and into Radstock GWR station site.

 
The Ex level crossing site. The station stood where the mining memorial stands today.


Radstock West station site and level crossing.

 
Left: S&DJR station and level crossing site. The signal box stood here. Right: Standing on what was between the Up & Down platforms. Towards Bath.


The S&DJR station site. Towards Midsomer Norton.

 
Then & Now. Radstock North station towards Midsomer Norton. In the present photo I would have been standing on the Up platform where the loco is.
(Old photo Author Unknown).

  

 

 

 

 

 

===========================================================================

To: Radstock To Shoscombe Vale

Back To S&DR Index

Other railway walks:

The Dundee & Newtyle Rlwy Walks  Opened in 1831 the route had three incline planes. The first was from the terminal station on Ward Street, up the Dundee Law, where there was
also a tunnel. The second was the Balbeuchley incline at Rosemill and the third at Hatton that ran down to Newtyle station. It was also the very first
passenger train service in Scotland.
Worked by Horse over the levels until the first steam engine was purchased in 1833. Came under the Caladonian Railway with
it's terminal moved to Dundee West station. Passengers
service ended in 1952 and the line totally closed in the mid 60's. The inclines were by-passed in the 1860's.

The Cromford & High Peak Incline railway in Derbyshire has been luckier in having much of it's buildings, including an Engine House preserved. This is what could have happened with
the D&N, indeed, should have happened with at least one of the D&N inclines. However, the C&H gives an excellent comparison
of what the D&N would have looked like, albeit the
inclines were only single track.

Boddam To Ellon Branch (Walks)   By Bill Reid. Ex GNSR branch line.

Dyce To Fraserburgh and Peterhead Walks. Ex GNSR

Bath To Wellow Rlwy Walks Ex Somerset & Dorset Rlwy.

Chippenham To Caln Walk.

The Test Valley Railway Walk. (New Mills To Hayfield).

All My Web Sites (Web Pages, Flickr and Videos).

Hosted by www.theatreorgans.com

BACK TO HOME PAGE

This page brought to you by: 
VintageHammond.Com - We Buy-Sell-Trade Vintage Hammond Organs and Roll or Kari Organ/Vending Machine Moving Dollies Order Roll or Kari Dollies Here

This page brought to you by:
VintageHammond.Com - We Buy-Sell-Trade Vintage Hammond Organs

TheatreOrgans.com operates KEZL-FM Culbertson, NE A Non Profit Full Powered Radio Station