Deputy Mayor Rides the Wickham Trolley

Wickham Wednesdays at the Somerset and Dorset Railway are proving very popular over the summer holidays.  Amongst over 60 people enjoying the trolley ride on the day was the Deputy Mayor of Midsomer Norton Town Council, Cllr Gordon Mackay, and his family.

The ride takes around 20 minutes running the full length of the operating line giving passengers a wonderful view over the Midsomer Norton countryside and a unique insight into the progress being made to restore this part of the famous SDJR line towards Chilcompton.

After the ride, Cllr Mackay took some time to chat with drivers Alan Humphries and Michael Pugsley and was lucky enough to have a quick go at driving the trolley himself.

“What’s been achieved here is amazing,” said Cllr Mackay, “it’s another great example of the incredible community spirit in this town, that volunteers have achieved so much.”

The Town Council have been regular supporters of the Railway Trust over the years and helped fund the recent Jubilee celebrations at the station.  As Midsomer Norton continues to develop as a ‘destination town’, the station is seen as being a key attraction for tourists as well as providing a valuable service for local residents.

“With ambitious projects like the Town Hall Restoration and the High Street Regeneration Programme, this is a very exciting time for Midsomer Norton,” continued the Deputy Mayor.

As well as always looking for new volunteers, The Railway Trust are currently fundraising to purchase their resident Sentinel steam engine “Joyce”, which arrived at the station in 2004, so she can be enjoyed by future generations of the town.

Full details of the appeal and all the exciting activities at the station are available on their website https://sdjr.co.uk