Historic Locomotive Crosses Lamb House Bridge at Shillingstone, Marking a 60-Year Revival

A 1959-built Hudswell Clarke diesel becomes the first locomotive to cross Lamb House Bridge at Shillingstone since 1966, signaling the sustained community-led revival of the North Dorset Railway.

In Dorset, a milestone for the Shillingstone-based North Dorset Railway was celebrated as a Hudswell Clarke diesel became the first locomotive to roll over Lamb House Bridge in almost six decades. Volunteers praised the moment as proof of a long-running restoration effort paying off.

Shillingstone station closed in 1966, but in 2005 local residents leased the site and began an ambitious restoration that eventually opened a small museum and cafe for visitors.

A four-year extension project doubled the track length to about half a mile (0.8 km), with the goal of offering brake-van rides to people visiting the museum in the future.

On a rainy Saturday, the crowd watched the 1959-built diesel cross the newly refurbished bridge over Bere Marsh.

Key takeaways

Track extension to 0.8 km brings closer the prospect of brake-van rides for visitors.
The Lamb House Bridge crossing marks the first locomotive passage since 1966.
The diesel locomotive, built in 1959 for the Manchester Ship Canal Railway, is a unique piece of preserved railway history.
Volunteer-led restoration demonstrates the value of community effort for regional heritage and tourism.

Expert comment

Expert comment: Rail heritage experts say this milestone highlights how volunteer groups can revive local rail history and attract visitors to heritage lines.

Summary

The crossing of Lamb House Bridge represents a pivotal moment for the North Dorset Railway’s revival. The project, run by volunteers, is expanding the track and preserving a rare locomotive for future generations. When completed, the line could offer hands-on experiences like brake-van rides and deeper insights into Dorset’s rail heritage.