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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.
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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.
Softback, 210 x 200 mm, 72 pages,
85 full colour photos |
