CAN you guess where this week’s Mystery Photograph was taken?

Each week, the Journal invites its readers to put their local knowledge to the test by identifying a location in the area from days gone by.

This week’s photograph was slightly easier, with several readers correctly identifying the location after last week’s tougher challenge.

The photograph in question was, in fact, of Midsomer Norton Station, specifically the goods yard dealing with deliveries.

Dave Seddon wrote in and said: “An easier one for those of us who went to the nearby grammar school. That’s the loading bay at Midsomer Norton South S & D station.”

Midsomer Norton Station has a rich history tied to the Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway (S&DJR), a line renowned for its scenic route through the rolling countryside of Somerset and Dorset. The station opened on November 20, 1874, as part of the Bath Extension of the S&DJR, linking Bath to Bournemouth and making it a key stop along this important north-south route.

During its operational years, the station served both passenger and freight traffic, with a bustling goods yard that handled coal, agricultural products, and other commodities vital to the local economy. The station had two platforms, a signal box, and a station building that housed the ticket office and waiting rooms. The line was particularly famous for its challenging gradients and tight curves, making it a favourite among railway enthusiasts.

In the mid-20th century, the S&DJR faced declining passenger numbers due to competition from road transport. This, combined with rising operational costs, led to its inclusion in the Beeching Report, which aimed to reduce the railway network. Midsomer Norton Station was closed to passengers on March 7, 1966, and shortly after, freight services ceased as well.

However, thanks to the dedication of the Somerset & Dorset Railway Heritage Trust, the station has been extensively restored. Work began in the 1990s, and today, Midsomer Norton Station has been transformed into a living museum.