Great Western Coffee Shop

And it might be possible to then relocate Frome station to a more central location.

And so do I. Unlike for instance the Bristol to Bath Railway/Cycle Path, there is (probably) enough room there for both track and bikes, so I don't see that as being a problem. And it might be possible to then relocate Frome station to a more central location. Ha ha, really dreaming now!

I walked the route last year and the formation is surprising intact, much with the rails still in situ but the sleepers are well past their sell by date.

You would end up with "Cheese and Grain" and "Wallbridge" as they would be on different lines.  Rather like Bat and Ball and Tubbs Hill.

Bat & Ball is just outside Sevenoaks, but I've not heard Tubs Hill before - must be well closed years ago!

Sevenoaks railway station was opened on 2 March 1868. It was formerly known as "Tubs Hill", after the adjacent area. There is a second station, on the branch to Swanley Junction, which opened on 2 June 1862. The station is named after the Bat & Ball local inn which is now closed, and serves the north end of the town.

The two lines to Sevenoaks were electrified in January 1935. When the station was reconstructed in the 1970s a new ticket office was built replacing the old wooden S.E.R. building. Two additional side platforms were also abolished.

The name lingered on locally long after it was officially renamed just "Sevenoaks".

So Bat & Ball is older than Sevenoaks on the main line?

Pity it couldn't extend to Midsomer Norton (S&D) - it would increase the catchment area considerably.

Suspect our enlightened planners have judiciously obstructed the route.

OTC

Not to mention a new level crossing which nowadays is very difficult to gain approval for

Old pictures of Radstock show the line seeming to go under the road. Perhaps a cutting in Radstock centre with the road going straight over? Unlikely but you never know.

Which bridges would need rebuilding?

Which road? And which line, come to that - there were all those mine tramways around, too.

The centre of Radstock is a few metres below the land the railways come in on. So the lines naturally kept their height and the roads had to squeeze underneath (as at the market). Frome road was cut off leaving just a subway, and (as now) turned sharply to the north.

I always thought that Radstock had the S&D and GWR lines crossing the road by level crossings, two within 50 yds.

Radstock to Frome Railway Trust News Bulletin

The Radstock to Frome Railway Trust Annual General Meeting was held on 27th January 2018 and all the motions were passed unanimously. The Trustees would like to express their thanks to the membership for their support and will keep in touch by issuing News Bulletins by email every few months.

We are waiving “official” renewal notices this year and having a “fallow” year for the reasons outlined in the annual report. Subscription reminders will be sent out late in 2017 for the year 2018.
 
However, anyone wishing to support the Trust by making a donation of £10.00 could send a cheque to the Secretary or by Pay Pal on the web site, where it will be gratefully received. Such a donation will provide evidence of the continued support for the project notwithstanding the convoluted negotiations required to gain the necessary permissions to run a regular service between Radstock and the main line. We will continue in our endeavours!