The Somerset & Dorset Railway Heritage Trust are pleased to announce the purchase of an important section of the former S&D Main Line railway track bed. In so doing they have ensured that this land, which is vital if they are to achieve its long-term expansion plans, will remain available for railway use.

The Trust has purchased the section running from just south of the Chilcompton Tunnels to the Redan Bridge, a length of some 750 yards together with several acres of adjacent former agricultural land which the vendor stipulated had to form part of the purchase. The Trust will benefit greatly from the ownership of this additional land as it provides a useful point of road access and, in the long term, has income potential.

There was a protracted period of detailed negotiations with the previous landowner, who is happy to see an operational railway re-instated with the purchase funded from a generous legacy left to the Trust, with the request that it should be used for the future development of the railway. The change of ownership was confirmed as from Tuesday 10th October 2023, and now enables the Trust's ambitions of extending the operational railway to move one important step closer.

Before The Trust can connect the newly purchased track bed to our existing running line, there remains the substantial task of removing the infilled cutting, leading up to the Chilcompton Tunnels and the second issue of both Tunnels being currently occupied by tenants of Highways England. The Trust continues to liaise with all key stakeholders over both issues.

As other heritage railways have shown, it is important to take a long-term view of the railway's future no matter how formidable other obstacles may seem at present. The current Trustees are doing all in their power to lay the foundations for those who come after them to build upon.