Through Countryside & Coalfield
The former cross-country railway between Bristol, Hallatrow, Radstock and Frome was a once-important line that used to swing and sway, uphill and down vale, through the North Somerset countryside and coalfield. This book gives the full story of a number of lines in the area south of Bristol, from many first proposals, through their construction and operation and on to their eventual closure.
Opened in 1873 after much financial difficulty, the then independent Bristol & North Somerset Railway between Bristol and Radstock was absorbed by the Great Western Railway in July 1884. In addition to describing and illustrating the B&NSR itself, this book fully details the development of a large number of associated coal mines, all of which have long since closed. In addition it takes in the history of many industrial concerns connected to the company's main line. Also featured are several stone quarries, including the key one at Whatley, which to this day, provides a section of the Radstock-Frome branch with an intense service of stone trains and which, in turn, also brings our story right up to date.
The various locomotives that worked both the North Somerset's main line and its associated industrial railways are detailed in appendices, as are the signalling arrangements, making this a most thorough historical survey of railways in this fascinating and picturesque part of the country.
Hardback with dust jacket, 256 pages, black & white illustrations
Condition: Very Good
ISBN: 9780860934288
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