Our plans for the future

• To complete the Phase 1 extension over Lamb House Bridge to the north.

The track is laid and the required biodiversity work and fencing are progressing.

• To plan and prepare for running passenger services using our Brake Van from the station to the end of the northern extension. To do this we need the permission of the Office of Rail and Road who will want to inspect our infrastructure, processes and documentation to ensure we are ready and this includes the many documents needed for railway operations, our Safety Management Systems and Rulebook and the competence of our train crews to operate a service. 

 

 

• To build a new restoration shed on site replacing the temporary shelter we have in place at present. This requires planning permission and fund raising as the project is likely to be around £200k when all the costs are in. Planning and design has started.

• To progress our discussions with Dorset Council about the feasibility of extending south to Holloway Lane which is at the southern end of Shillingstone Village (as the route which would allow us to extend our trackbed further north is currently blocked by the neighbouring landowner). This would involve an upgrade to the trailway to enable our shared use of the old track bed to connect the station towards Holloway Lane and, if approved, would give over a mile of running line.  

 

• A major upcoming challenge is an anticipated requirement to vacate the industrial buildings behind the station that we have been fortunate enough to have been able to use for the last seven years. Moving out of these will be a significant challenge and when we need to do this then other projects may have to stop or slow as we divert our efforts to moving.