West Somerset Railway

COLOUR & BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHS

The railway to Minehead served the community faithfully for 100 years until it closed in 1971. Enthusiasts refused to let the line die and have spent almost 50 years rebuilding it as a heritage railway. It is the longest standard-gauge steam railway in the UK and one of the premier lines. It delights passengers who are hauled by GWR locomotives through the beautiful Somerset countryside and alongside the coast from Bishops Lydeard, near Taunton to the seaside resort of Minehead. This book tells the story of the heritage railway and how it got to be what it is today.

Reviews:

'Is there an enthusiast that doesn't have at least one of the Middleton Press' superb volumes?
   'While this is largely a photographic book covering the various locations along the WSR, there is also a detailed but concise history of the line's origins and development, high-quality maps, and a mixture of present-day scenes and archive views which show how the WSR has grown in the last 50 years.'
(Steam Railway, Issue 548, September 2023)

'Editor's Choice: This handy-sized volume abounds with stories and is thoroughly recommended to anyone visiting the railway...
   'You are left with the feeling that no matter how well you think you might know this line and are familiar with its much-varied scenery, there is always something new to discover at every twist and turn.'
(Heritage Railways, Issue 309, August-September 2023)