The railway to Minehead served the community faithfully for around 100 years. After its closure in 1971 enthusiasts refused to let the line die. In 1976 the first section of the line to be re-opened to the public was the part between Minehead to Blue anchor; and finally in 1979 the line was re-opened all the way to Bishops Lydeard. The supporters of the West Somerset Railway have now spent nearly 50 years restoring and developing this popular heritage railway.
In West Somerset Railway: Norton Fitzwarren to Minehead, part of the Middleton Press Heritage Railways series, the author Ian Coleby tells the story of how this heritage railway came to be one of the premier heritage lines in the UK. At 22 miles it is the longest standard-gauge steam railway in the Britain, and it delights passengers as it runs through the beautiful Somerset countryside and alongside the coast from Bishops Lydeard, near Taunton to the seaside resort of Minehead.
The book covers the background of the line, followed by sections on Norton Triangle, Bishops Lydeard, Crowcombe Heathfield, Roebuck and Leigh Woods Crossings, Stogumber, Between Stogumber and Williton, Williton, Doniford, Watchet, Washford, Blue Anchor, Along the Beach, Dunster, Minehead and Stone Traffic. As well as the photographs, the information is supplemented with a gradient layout, maps, tickets and promotional material.
126 colour and 33 black & white photographs. Hardback. 96 pages.