Considerable primary source research has been undertaken in a effort to come up with something a little different and it is. Buy gwr railwayana books and get the best deals at the lowest prices on ebay. As is usual there will be an early passenger train departure from minehead station on the saturday of. Although i do not currently have the time to spend here that i would like i can say that page 78 of the book the west somerset mineral railway states that the two locomotives were transferred to the line on the 17 december 1911 and the public demonstration took place on the 5 july 1912. I missed this book that was released in 2011, its a fully illustrated, well reserached and pra quality production the brendon hills iron mines and the west somerset mineral railway m h jones, hb, 275x210mm, printed on gloss art paper, casebound with colour dustjacket. Please accept my apologies for not following the discussion on this talk page here in this article. The west somerset mineral railway and the story of the. The west somerset mineral railway and the story of the brendon hills iron mines by roger sellick abebooks. The bredndon hills iron mines and the west somerset. Page48 tonnes calculates from royalties tonnes recordedby geological society average tonnes year resource4roreproductionfromthebrendonhillironminesbetween.
I dont have a copy of the bodman book this is referenced to user. The stunning and picturesque landscapes of the somerset hills come to life in this unique route for train simulator, representing the proposed reopened heritage line from frome to radstock. The west somerset mineral railway wsmr was an independant railway in west somerset, constructed as a standard gauge 4 8. People accidents lottery projects mining iron ore on the brendon hills mineral railway glossary goods wagon short history smelting.
The complex web of freightonly lines is studied in great detail with many maps and unpublished photographs. Non of the machinery survives but the site remains and is going to be consolidated to allow visitor access. A list of mines in north devon and west somerset 2nd edition october 1997. The west somerset mineral railway was designed primarily to carry iron ore from the brendon hill mines to an outlet port at watchet, but also carried passengers. People accidents lottery projects mining iron ore on the brendon hills mineral railway glossary goods wagon short history smelting mike jones locomotives west somerset mineral railway. The west somerset mineral railway and the story of the brendon hills iron mines by sellick, roger and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The west somerset mineral railway was a standard gauge line that served the iron mines of the brendon hills in west somerset. An independent and sometimes eccentric line, which connected the local port of watchet with long abandoned mines and deserted villages more than feet high on the brendon hills. The west somerset mineral railway opened in 1855 to transport iron ore from the brendon hill mines to watchet for shipment to south wales. The west somerset mineral railway was a private venture by the brendon hills iron ore company to extract iron ore feet above sea level in the brendon hills.
This type of wagons would have been used on the somerset and dorset railway when owned by british railways during the 1950s and 1960s. Buy the bredndon hills iron mines and the west somerset mineral railway a new account 1st edition by jones, mh isbn. The first railway in the area was the west somerset mineral railway wsmr, approved in the mid 1850s to construct a narrow as opposed to broad gauge line from the ironore mines high on the brendon hills to the harbour at watchet. The brendon hills iron mines and the west somerset mineral railway. I have a well illustrated book about the mineral railway the old mineral line by r. Weve rounded up the best railway and transport attractions in somerset and bristol in our quest to discover brilliant family attractions and places to visit near you. Here is the official west somerset railway guide book which is one of a set of three comprehensive books that silver link are pleased to produce for the railway. Somerset also had two significant independent railways. The west somerset mineral railway was a standard gauge line in somerset, england.
A full day out on west somerset railway on saturday 5th october. More about the west somerset mineral railway part 1 youtube. Jacob reesmogg, by letter, email, or attending one of his surgeries, expressing the advantages this community venture could bring to the area and why you feel it should happen. My copy is a 1981 edition and i believe the book is currently out of print. The ore was transported to watchet harbour west jetty for onward transmission to the ebbw vale co. Make offer the west somerset mineral railway by roger sellick. There is a variety of preserved steam and diesel locomotives and diesel multiple units, passenger coaches and goods wagons. The operation was unprofitable and the mines were closed in 1883 and the railway in 1898. Branchstow are specialist railway booksellers with a particular emphasis on high quality books produced by small independent publishers.
The brendon hills iron mines and the west somerset railway. The devon and somerset railway was a 44 mile branch line that ran from taunton to barnstaple. It ran successfully until 1898, when failure of the mines caused its closure. A recent inspection indicates the mineral line bridge at watchet will need some attention during the coming winter season. Mso9229 west somerset mineral railway the historic. Its main purpose was to carry iron ore from the mines on the brendon hills done to the port at watchet, but it also provided a public passenger service. A look at the railways of one of the south wests most attractive corners, though it ranges a little beyond the true geographical confines. The author worked in the chine clay industry for most of his life and usually had a camera by his side. The old mineral line provides historic photographs and expert commentary by r. West somerset railway stock book and spotters guide. These beutifully illustrated, high quality full colour books, are of course not just to be enjoyed by those fortunate enough to visit the railway but make for interesting and. Although the railway is operated by the west somerset railway company wsr plc based at minehead, it is supported by a number of voluntary and charitable organisations.
People accidents lottery projects mining iron ore on the brendon hills mineral railway glossary goods. Davidahull may be able to help there are three refs for a very short sentence, so perhaps this one can just be removed. A report on the excavation of the incline winding house of the west somerset mineral railway at brendon hill, by exmoor mines research group, and a conjectural restoration of the. There are 26 somerset and bristol railway and transport attractions to pick from. Bristol and north somerset railway project gutenberg. In the foreground is the 1866built locomotive pontypool with a train of two passenger coaches. The bredndon hills iron mines and the west somerset mineral railway a new account. Is there somewhere else in the book that is relevant. Mar 18, 2014 a chance to hear and see more about the old mineral railway that was primarily used to transfer iron ore from the brendon hills to the nearest port of watchet. The west somerset mineral railwayroger sellickgood clean copy with protective cover to dust jacket. The return journey takes approximately 40 minutes and is a 5 mile round trip. An illustrated survey of the west somerset mineral railway from watchet to the brendon hills as it was and is today by sellick, r. West somerset mineral railway information and photos. Roger burton has already made a start on exmoor and a book on the north devon mines is pending but there is scope for much more research particularly in.
The lines core purpose was to carry iron ore northwards from mines on the brendon hills to watchet harbour on the bristol channel. Photographs of west somerset mineral railway on the mine exploration web site uk. The west somerset mineral railway, constructed under an act of 1855, was one of the more unusual of britains minor railways. Buy the brendon hills iron mines and the west somerset railway by jones, m. Great savings free delivery collection on many items. Local business men and dignatories in the west somerset area began to promote the west somerset.
Mem15203 the incline, west somerset mineral railway the. Few can have involved so much expenditure, for so little reward, as the opening and development of the iron mines on the brendon hills in west somerset and the construction of the standard gauge west somerset mineral railway to carry the ore to watchet harbour for shipment to newport. The winding house on the west somerset mineral line railway contained the machinery used to lower the trucks full of ore down the steep incline encountered on the route to watchet harbour. The line ran almost due south from bristol and was 16 miles 26 km long. The inclined plane on brendon hill at comberow station on the west somerset mineral railway, seen from the southwest. Based at bishops lydeard, it is a major shareholder of the plc. Jul 31, 2017 radstock could see part of its railway reinstated if north somerset railways plans get enough support. May 17, 2012 i missed this book that was released in 2011, its a fully illustrated, well reserached and pra quality production the brendon hills iron mines and the west somerset mineral railway m h jones, hb, 275x210mm, printed on gloss art paper, casebound with colour dustjacket.
List of rolling stock preserved on the west somerset railway. West somerset mineral railway industrial railway society. Become a volunteer volunteering your time to help the railway. The bristol and north somerset railway was a railway line in the west of england that connected bristol with radstock, through pensford and further into northern somerset, to allow access to the somerset coalfield. Leleux the west somerset mineral railway, constructed under an act of 1855, was one of the more unusual of britains minor railways. The west somerset mineral railway was built between 1857 and 1864 to take iron ore from the mines on the brendon hills to watchet harbour, where it was loaded onto ships and transported across to south wales for smelting at ebbw vale. It was not used officially for passenger traffic until some years later. West somerset mineral railway references in railway magazine omitting very trivial references and advertisements for books.
An independent and sometimes eccentric line, which connected the local port of watchet with long abandoned mines and deserted villages more than feet high on the brendon hills, the west somerset mineral railway enjoys a place in west somerset folklore. The west somerset mineral railway hardback book by roger. West somerset mineral railway and the story of the brendon hills iron mines by sellick, r. The books homepage helps you explore earths biggest bookstore without ever leaving the comfort of your couch. Brendon hill and the west somerset mineral railway incline. A chance to hear and see more about the old mineral railway that was primarily used to transfer iron ore from the brendon hills to the nearest port of. Photos of west somerset mineral railway mine exploration. The group is currently negotiating with railway paths to create a shared vision of the. The west somerset mineral railway ran down from the iron mines on the brendon hills, and the west somerset railway came up from the bristol and exeter railway. The west somerset railway wsr is a heritage railway. It ran from the ironstone mines in the brendon hills to the port of watchet on the bristol channel. The west somerset railway association wsra was formed alongside the wsr plc in 1971, to reopen the line.
More about the west somerset mineral railway part 1. I have been asked on my own talk page to supply references for the railway magazine articles relating to the line. A report on the excavation of the incline winding house of the west somerset mineral railway at brendon hill, by exmoor mines research group, and a conjectural restoration of the building and the winding machinery. The west somerset mineral railway by roger sellick.
A railway line in the north of somerset is nothing new, with the bristol and north somerset railway opening in 1873. The west somerset mineral railway and the story of the brendon hills iron mines. Mineral line bridge was constructed when the line was extended westwards over 5 years ago and as the name suggests it carried the new railway over the existing west somerset mineral railway tracks which led from the brendon hills to the harbour at watchet. East somerset railway shepton mallet 2020 all you need to. The west somerset mineral railway by sellick abebooks. Media in category west somerset mineral railway the following 34 files are in this category, out of 34 total. The rolling stock preserved on the west somerset railway is used to operate trains on the west somerset railway wsr, a heritage railway in somerset, england.
The mines were closed in 1882, but were reopened in 1907, but a slump in the steel industry led. The railway line will give accessibility to an area of natural beauty with tremendous views. This railway line has the advantage of a sustrans path adjacent for the majority of the route. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. News west somerset railway the longest heritage railway. West somerset railway the longest heritage railway in. West somerset railway simple english wikipedia, the free. It received royal assent in 1855, and work started on it in 1856 and was completed in 1861. News wsmla association contact newsletter archive minutes calendar. It then returns to the coast for the run to minehead. West somerset mineral railway historical association. It runs along the edge of the quantock hills in somerset, england, between bishops lydeard and watchet.
The line took ore from the mines to the port of watchet from where it was shipped across the bristol channel to south wales, where it was taken to the iron furnaces of ebbw vale. Here youll find current best sellers in books, new releases in books, deals in books, kindle ebooks, audible audiobooks, and so much more. The somerset and dorset railway trust has announced that they have bought two british railways 16 ton mineral wagons from the swanage railway. Plans for a north devon railway were first mooted in 1845. In this video we see joyce in action hauling trains the length of the line towards chilcompton. Alternatively, why not explore some other sightseeing days out nearby, including museums and art galleries, or tourist attrac. W and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
An illustrated history of exmoors railways rail books. The brendon hills iron mines and the west somerset mineral. Most of these are typical of great western railway gwr branch lines in somerset, or of the somerset and dorset. Brendon hill and the west somerset mineral railway incline 9 may 2011. Harbour trade was aided by the coming of the railway, with two independent railways terminating at watchet from the mid 1860s. About east somerset railway a trip back in time come and meet our friendly staff and take a relaxing ride on our heritage steam train through the beautiful mendip countryside.
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