{"product_id":"the-evercreech-junction-to-burnham-on-sea-branch-of-the-somerset-dorset-joint-railway-lp-255-9780853617839","title":"The Evercreech Junction to Burnham-on-Sea Branch of the Somerset \u0026 Dorset Joint Railway (LP 255)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIncluding Highbridge Works\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis railway's origins go back to the loss of Glastonbury's wool and cloth industry to the north of England and the idea that improvement of infrastructure would help economic revival resulting in the Glastonbury Navigation and Canal opening in 1833. Initially a great success, by the early 1840s it had problems and was purchased by the Bristol and Exeter Railway who part-funded the Somerset Central Railway formed in 1850\/51 to build a line from Highbridge Wharf to Glastonbury, which opened in 1854, with an extension to Wells in 1859. In 1862 the Somerset Central merged with the Dorset Central, but in 1874 the merged company was bought out by the Midland and London and South Western Companies who then operated it jointly. This complex history is told over the first seven chapters of the book, with others including Description of the Line, Highbridge Locomotive Works, Timetables and Traffic, Locomotives, Accidents and Track Lifting. The eight appendices include include details of the S\u0026amp;D Fleet, locomotives, station accommodation, traffic at Highbridge Wharf, station accommodation and more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSoftback, 208 pages, 173 illustrations\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Oakwood Press","offers":[{"title":"New","offer_id":59174440337791,"sku":"9780853617839","price":24.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1910\/7111\/files\/9780853617839.jpg?v=1794489676","url":"https:\/\/rail-books.co.uk\/products\/the-evercreech-junction-to-burnham-on-sea-branch-of-the-somerset-dorset-joint-railway-lp-255-9780853617839","provider":"Rail Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}