2. Railways

Return to the Somerset and Dorset Railway

I never travelled on the S&D, it closed just after my fourth birthday. But I have driven along the line visiting the stations and tunnels and some of the notable viaducts several times, not always taking photos sadly. These pictures are from two trips, in 2019 and 2021 plus a few from much earlier trips and we go from the south to the north.
Read More
  • Photo Sharing
  • About SmugMug
  • Browse Photos
  • Prints & Gifts
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Owner Log In
© 2023 SmugMug, Inc.
    This is the north portal of the original 1872-74 built tunnel below Windsor Hill, to the north of Shepton Mallet. On doubling of the line in 1892 this became the Down tunnel.
    Looking through the 239 yard long curved tunnel. After the line closed and track lifted, the tunnel was used by Rolls Royce for destructive testing of the engines to be used on Concorde. They wanted to see how long an engine would run without oil, they expected around 20 minutes but the Rolls-Royce/Snecma Olympus 593 engine went on for several hours. For many years after the tests there were gates across the portals denying access. They were later removed and in recent years new gates have been erected.
    Standing at the portal and looking in the northerly direction towards Bath. Ross looks up and the stonework around the portal.