The station was situated just two miles from Radstock. It consisted of two platforms and a small goods yard at the southern end of the down platform. This contained just two sidings, one of which led to a small stone built goods shed. The approach from the north was at a steep 1 in 50 gradient, easing to 1 in 300 through the station only to steepen again to 1 in 53.
The station was very well maintained, collecting many awards over the years for its gardens and general appearance. The station area and goods yard was controlled from a 16 lever signal box situated alongside the up platform.
To the east of the station, over the Silver Street road bridge (No.48), there was a connection to the Norton Hill
Colliery from the down line. This was opened in 1900. Additional sidings were laid in 1905 and 1907. In 1953 the
colliery was modernized and new sidings laid. The colliery finally closed in February 1966 with the loss of nearly 300 jobs.
©  Kevin Clapcott

©  K. Clapcott

© R. Stevens

This was one of the most famous of all services to run over the Somerset & Dorset line. The name is supposed to have been derived from the many Pine trees surrounding the Bournemouth area.
It was a daily Manchester to Bournemouth West express service started on the 1st of October 1910, in response to the GWR / LSWR Birkenhead to Bournemouth via Oxford service, being run jointly by the London & North Western and the Midland Railways.
Because of its success, from the 26th of September 1927 the train took the title of 'The Pines Express', and unlike other through express trains, ran all year round.
In later years it also included portions from Liverpool and Sheffield, the latter running as a separate train during summer weekends.
During the second world war the title was dropped. However on the 23rd of May 1949 'The Pines' was back again, this time under the control of the newly nationalised London Midland, Western and Southern Regions of British Railways.

On Saturday the 8th of September 1962 the last up and down workings of 'The Pines Express' were hauled over the S&D by BR 2-10-0 No.92220 'Evening Star', it was turned out in immaculate condition, and all along the line people watched the sad passing of this famous train. On the up journey the loading of the train was 426 tons - a record for an unassisted climb over the Mendip Hills.
From the following Monday 'The Pines' was diverted over to the Southampton, Basingstoke, Reading and Oxford route, thus never running over S&D tracks again.
From the 4th of October 1965 the trains route was extended down to Poole, but end of the line for this great train finally came on the 4th of March 1967.
©  Kevin Clapcott

For more information please visit

Kevin Clapcott
Kevin Matthews  S&D Trust
Chris Nevard
Richard Stevens    Trackbed Trust

©  Kevin Clapcott

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