Heritage railway in talks over new line extension

Railway enthusiasts who have been rebuilding a section of line ripped up in the 1960s are in talks with a council about extending it further.

Half a mile (800m) of track has already been reinstated by volunteers at North Dorset Railway in Shillingstone, which is home to a museum and cafe.

It includes a quarter-of-a-mile (400m) extension north of the station, completed in 2025, doubling the length of the line with the aim of offering brake van rides to visitors.

In a New Year message to supporters, chairman Gavin Collins said the group was now in consultation with Dorset Council about extending south of the station to create nearly 1.25 miles (2km) of track.

In a Facebook post, Mr Collins said: "We are in a consultation phase with Dorset Council about extending south to Holloway Lane at the southern end of Shillingstone village, and talking with them about acquiring some land for restoration and storage sheds.

"If approved [it] would give nearly 2km of running line."

Mr Collins said work was continuing to get the newly-built line ready for brake van rides, which would require approval from the Office of Rail and Road.

He said the railway was also in the planning and fundraising phase for a £200,000 restoration shed to replace a temporary shelter on the site.

Shillingstone station closed in 1966 when the nationalised railways were restructured and the line was ripped up but, in 2005, a group of locals took on the lease.

Over the years, volunteers repaired the platforms, re-laid the tracks and restored the station building.

The four-year, 0.25 mile (400m) line extension project was made possible by supporters who bought the land, donated materials, loaned machinery and shared their expertise.

More than 100 volunteers are involved at the railway, running the cafe, tending the garden, renovating stock, building infrastructure, and providing technical and administrative support.