The Dorset Central Railway

Have a look at these two reproductions of publicity produced by the Dorset Central Railway for the opening of their new line from Wimborne to Blandford. Notice anything different? Well, the first one gives an opening date of 1st October 1860, whilst the second gives 1st November 1860! The line had actually been completed during the September, and the DCR hoped to open it to traffic on the first day of October. However, the Southern Times reported “A little delay has been occasioned in the opening of the first section of this railway from Wimborne to Blandford, in consequence of the Government Inspector required a large sized turntable to be laid down at the Wimborne end of the line.” Following a further inspection by the Board of Trade (when the required turntable at Wimborne had presumably been provided), the line was finally able to be officially opened to traffic on 1st November. Click here to read more about the railway’s history.

work part 31st December

Our last work party of the year, and thankfully this morning’s heavy rain soon cleared through to leave a bright and breezy day. The first job was to take down the Christmas decorations from around the booking office fireplace. Then the team carried on with the usual jobs such as tidying the embankment and flower beds, cutting back buddleia and clearing moss and fallen leaves from the flight of steps. We thought that the tiny timber shelter on the ‘up’ platform would be useful as a place where donated plants could be left, so next year we plan to revamp it a bit and add some shelves. Meanwhile, the inside was given a quick coat of yellow paint to brighten it up.

Finally, the volunteers of the Spetisbury Station Project wish you all a Happy New Year. If you came up to the station in 2023, then we hope you enjoyed your visit. If you haven’t visited us before, then we look forward to seeing you in 2024!

Christmas at the Station

On Sunday 17th December we held our popular Christmas get-together at the station, and this year’s was the best yet! We were able to offer hot drinks including the ever-popular mulled wine, hot dogs and other festive treats as well as some home-made goodies. We had brought up a gas cooker but the demand for hot drinks was so great Frances, who lives nearby, made several dashes back home to heat more water! Our stall selling donated railway items was also popular, with special thanks to the people who kindly donated items. This year, for the first time, everyone was kept entertained by members of the BLANDFORD UKULELE GROUP with their Christmas tunes and songs – thanks guys! We were especially pleased to welcome Dean Cockwell’s family, Dean was founder and Project Manager at the Spetisbury Station Project until he sadly passed away earlier this year. Mention must also be made to Dilys and the eight members of her cycling group who visited us from Stourpaine. Dilys is the ride leader who organised the ride under the Government-funded BIG BIKE REVIVAL winter intervention scheme, and who obtained this funding to help adults learn or improve their cycling skills to gain confidence to use the bike as a mode of transport as well as for improved health. Great to see you all!

Christmas at the Station

Not long to go now until our Christmas at the Station event on Sunday 17th December. The team will be on site from 10am until about 2pm offering festive treats such as mulled wine (and soft drinks for the kids), hot dogs, mince pies and savoury snacks. There will be a selection of second-hand railway books (including children’s books), DVDs and framed prints, also our new Spetisbury station fridge magnets. Entertainment will be provided by a ukulele band from Blandford. All of this is available in exchange for a donation to the Spetisbury Station Project – every penny goes towards maintaining and improving the station site for visitors.

To find us, and information on car parking, please click here. Note: in case of inclement weather the event will be held indoors at the Spetisbury Village Hall between 11am and 2pm.

work party 19th November

I don’t know about you, but I reckon November is still a little early to be thinking too hard about Christmas….. But during today’s work party we put up the decorations for our Christmas at the Station event which is now only four weeks away, on 17th December. Although we are hoping for fine weather so we can hold this actually at the station as usual, in case of bad weather Spetisbury Village Hall has been booked from 11am to 2pm as an alternative venue.

We have also just taken delivery of some fridge magnets featuring SPETISBURY as a railway-style totem sign in Southern Region green with white lettering. These will be available for a suggested donation of only £3.50 each at our work parties and special events at the station. One lucky visitor today couldn’t wait to buy the first one!

work party 5th November

Another sunny day at the station, and another good turnout of seven volunteers. Apart from cutting back overhanging buddleia, weeding and putting in new plants, one of the main jobs today was dismantling the timber steps leading from the Trailway to the ‘up’ platform. Unfortunately the wood had started to rot and the steps had become unsafe, which is why they had been fenced off. So we decided to remove them altogether, with some of the sound timber put aside for re-use. One passer-by asked if the steps will be replaced, and the answer is yes, eventually they will be. But if anyone is good at carpentry, or can supply suitable timber, then please get in touch with us. Talking of timber, one job for next year will be to repaint the various seats and benches, but we’ll wait for drier weather for that job!

work party 22nd October

After a chilly start, it was a sunny and warm autumnal day at Spetisbury (well, until the showers started but that was after we’d packed up!). We finished off clearing the foundations to the booking office, which will be the focal point for our Christmas display. Signs were also put up discouraging people from entering the building foundations, as some of the brickwork is unstable. General landscaping was also carried out, including around the pond, and the bird feeders topped up. We were pleased to welcome a couple of people who kindly dropped off some lovely framed railway prints and railway DVDs which will be included with the other sales items at our Christmas event on Sunday 17th December. Apart from the usual walkers, runners and cyclists, a couple of ladies on horseback also stopped by to say hello.

autumn has arrived!

Well, after some unseasonably mild weather lately, autumn feels like it has finally arrived today due to the wind and rain! But the station can look good in any weather so here are a few pictures taken over recent years. Why not come along to the station and see for yourself?

support a local model railway show

work party 24th September

A lot achieved today thanks to all eight regular volunteers being present. Once again, the flight of 30 steps leading up to the station were cleared of weeds and fallen leaves, and some earth cleared at the bottom of the steps to make the entrance a little wider. A large buddleia branch overhanging the Trailway was cut back to make life easier for cyclists and horse-riders to pass without ducking down! Work also proceeded with the picket fence around the building foundations. Work started on clearing the foundations of the booking office as this area will form the centre piece of our Christmas display. Meanwhile, the usual jobs of grass cutting, weeding the flower beds and clearing of the embankment also took place. Oh, and some new plants were put in which should look great next year. More volunteers always welcome to come and lend a hand.