Author: Michael S. Welch

Publisher:

Published: 2001-09-29

Total Pages: 72

ISBN-13: 9781870754521

This book is in full colour; The Somerset & Dorset is one of those railways which has a following far beyond its immediate area of operation and the interest keeps going although it is now 35 years since the passenger service from Bath to Bournemouth via Templecombe ceased. British Railways were determined to close the route as evidenced by the diversion of its most famous train the 'Pines Express' in 1962. But it took until March 1966 for the passenger service to cease completely and steam remained in charge until the end. The outstanding scenery, the busy and heavy through holiday trains from the Midlands and north of England, plus the old Midland motive power used into the 1960s, all made the route a magnet for photographers. The Fowler 2-8-0s built specially for the line by the Midland Railway added to the attractions and soldiered on until 1964. They are well represented in this book on both passenger and freight workings. The whole line is covered, including branches and connections, and the pictures show the changing variety of motive power up until the line's final demise.A goodly number of outstanding photographers have contributed to the book and many pictures are published for the first time, including some showing rarely seen workings.