S&DJR Shillingstone

09/06/2026

Father's day is soon approaching and the station has the perfect gift: treat Dad to a Ploughman's Lunch in a vintage railway carriage with one of the best views in Dorset. Choose from ham or cheese options, with all the traditional trimmings: crusty bread, chutney, apple slices, pickles and more, at £10 per person. A vegan version is also available, £12.
Or does Dad have a sweet tooth? Opt instead for a cream tea - home-made scones, clotted cream, strawberry jam. £8 per person.
Book in person at the station, or phone 01258 860696 when the station's open.

09/06/2026

Project 62's restored 'Yankee Tank' loco left Shillingstone yesterday, and has gone to Plym Valley Railway, in Devon, for a while. For more information, please check out Project 62's page.
But North Dorset Railway will soon be announcing a new arrival. Watch this space!

07/06/2026

Dry for the second day of the 1960s celebration weekend. People could enjoy guided tours of the station! And the Wickham Trolley could have a trundle.

With the 1960s in mind, this is a link to our latest YouTube. Bob Downes, former porter and lampman reminisces about his working life at Shillingstone Station: https://youtu.be/F8PMiKZyv3I

06/06/2026

Last chance to see? (For a while!)
Project 62's steam loco was moved today, to make it easier for it to go on its travels, so tomorrow might be the last chance for visitors to see 30075 for a while. And the weather forecast looks much better!

05/06/2026

Change of plan! Unfortunately the steam loco will be shunted away from the platform on Saturday morning. Apologies for the confusion.

05/06/2026

On Wednesday the team were test running the Wickham trolley, making sure it is ready for action this weekend. Come along and see it in action.

04/06/2026

Update

It was planned that Project 62's steam loco would be on the down platform for the weekend for footplate visits. Due to a change of plan, it will now be shunted away tomorrow morning.

Running of the Wickham Trolley will be interrupted by the shunting. (And will be weather dependent.)

The station will be open both days from 10:00am and 4:00pm and entry is free. (Donations welcome, though!)

03/06/2026

Today the newly-redecorated GUV coach (General Utility Van) was all laid out to welcome the Friends of Wimborne Minster, who came to have a look round the station and enjoy a delicious cream tea.

If your group would like to do something similar, why not call in for a chat, or phone 01258 860696 during station opening hours (Wednesdays and weekends, 10am to 4pm)?

28/05/2026

You are cordially invited to a 1960s-themed Gala Weekend at the station. The weekend of 6th and 7th June will be very much a party to celebrate all that’s been achieved since the station ‘closed’ in 1966, and remember the incredible efforts of the volunteers.
As well as tours of the station and the signal box (which was, of course, completely rebuilt by volunteers), there will be guided walks of the new track extension, with the opportunity to see the Lamb House bridge from a whole new angle. There’ll be a couple of model railway layouts, including a steam version, and visits from a steam traction engine and vintage buses.
Friends and neighbours will also be joining the party - the station will be welcoming displays by the Big Yellow Bus Project, the Countryside Regeneration Trust, the North Dorset Trailway and the Blandford Fashion Museum, along with other heritage railway projects, the Spetisbury Station Project and the Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust.
And, of course, it wouldn’t be a party without home-made cake and some toe-tapping music. With kind permission from the Performing Rights Society, the station will be bopping to a soundtrack of 1960s pirate radio classics.
There will be a free shuttle bus service to and from the gala, thanks to Damory Buses and Pete Kearsey, starting from Morrison’s car park in Blandford and Station Road car park in Sturminster Newton. Vintage buses will be used, including a Routemaster. Due to the cost of the diesel, they will run when the driver determines that there are enough passengers on board.
On both days, boarding will start at the two locations at 9:45am, with the last bus to Shillingstone at around 11:15. Buses start returning from Shillingstone at 2:00pm, with the last bus at around 3:30pm.
The station will be open both days from 10:00am until 4:00pm and entry is free - though donations are welcome, to aid the ongoing development and maintenance of the station and railway. Come along and join in the fun, and if you fancy digging out your best 1960s outfit, why not?

26/05/2026

The spring update of developments at North Dorset Railway is now available:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGoCmNQ8OOk
Enjoy!
And don't forget to 'subscribe' - at some point NDR may be able to monetise and, as someone once said, every little helps.

Action and activities at Shillingstone station, late Spring 2026.