Reopened Dorset Railway Line Celebrated by Volunteers

A reopened Dorset railway line has officially welcomed its first trains after four years of dedicated work by volunteers. The half-mile (0.8 km) stretch north of Shillingstone station is the latest milestone in a 20-year effort to restore the historic site, which now includes a museum and café.

Marking a milestone: Class 62 steam loco 30075 celebrates the line’s extension.

Volunteers Drive the Revival of a Lost Line

After the line was dismantled in the 1960s, the community came together to bring it back. The official opening featured a procession of three engines, led by the 1960 Class 62 steam locomotive 30075 “Yankee Tank”, lovingly restored by volunteers at the Shillingstone heritage railway.

Driver Harry Jones described it as “quite an honour” to be one of the first to drive on the extension. “This engine I stood on the footplate of when I was two years old at East Somerset Railway so, 22 years on, it feels quite a privilege and an honour to be reunited with an old friend and to be making history together.”

Harry Jones called the steam locomotive Yankee Tank an “old friend.”

The youngest volunteer, 13-year-old Joe, had the honour of starting the procession. Alongside the steam engine, the celebrations also showcased a 1959 Wickham Trolley and the 1959 diesel locomotive Ashdown.

The Journey to a Reopened Dorset Railway Line

Shillingstone station closed in 1966 during the national rail restructuring. In 2005, a group of local enthusiasts leased the site and began rebuilding. Over time, they repaired platforms, restored the station building, re-laid track and created a welcoming heritage centre.

In 2021, work started to extend the line 400 metres north, requiring the rerouting of the North Dorset Trailway. The project was made possible thanks to land purchases, donations of materials, loaned machinery, and hundreds of hours of volunteer expertise.

Today, more than 100 volunteers are involved in everything from running the café and tending the gardens to restoring rolling stock and handling administration. The Raildays guide to North Dorset Railway highlights the dedication behind the project and its growing visitor appeal.

The Future of the Reopened Dorset Railway Line

Looking ahead, the volunteer-run railway restoration in Dorset aims to offer brake van rides, creating a new attraction for visitors. With further events and expansion planned, the restored line is expected to draw tourists, families and railway enthusiasts, strengthening its role as a community landmark.

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