• TICKET TO MINEHEAD is the title of a new book on the former Taunton to Minehead branch line.

The content of the book is all about the human side of life on this former Great Western Railway branch - a theme, which, until now, has been often neglected in other publications about the line. It is a fascinating read, with many memories from staff, evacuees, local people and much more.

The memories are accompanied by a marvellous selection of photographs from the late 1800's to 1971 (when the line was closed by British Ralways), many of which have not been published before.

The Foreword has been written by the ex-England cricketer Jack Russell.

The book is published by Millstream Books of Bath and is available from the WSRA's Station Shop at Bishops Lydeard Station.

The book is a 'must' for all those interested in the West Somerset Railway.

 • Published by Ian Allan Publishing/WSRA, March 2002 ISBN: 0 - 7110 - 2902 - 4

 • Over the past decade, Ian Allan Publishing - in conjunction with the WSRA - has published a number of highly successful colour books featuring the Railway and the locomotives that have operated over it. Locomotives of the West Somerset Railway: 2 includes well over 60 colour photographs (all previously unpublished) which - together with the first volume - provides the reader with a superb colour pictorial history of the locomotives that have operated on the line over the past 25 years.

 • The first volume of Locomotives of the West Somerset Railway (published in early 1997) featured at least one photograph of all the locomotives that had worked a passenger train between Minehead and Bishops Lydeard in the preservation era between 1976 and 1996. This new second volume not only continues that theme, but extends it! As well as bringing the story up to date by including a photograph of all the steam and heritage diesel locomotives that have worked a passenger train on the WSR between 1997 and 2001 (inclusive), Locomotives of the West Somerset Railway: 2 also includes a number of other events that have featured on the line over this period, including through charter trains from the main line network and the commercial stone traffic - plus photographs of some WSR-based engines which, since 1997, have appeared in different liveries.

 • This attractive new hardback book is now available priced £12.99 - and, until mid-April, will ONLY be available for purchase from the Station Shop at Bishops Lydeard, prior to going on general release. The book can also be purchased by mail order from WSRA Sales, The Railway Station, Bishops Lydeard, Taunton, Somerset TA4 3BX (postage £2, or FREE to WSRA members - please quote membership number).

 • About the author: Richard Jones has been associated with the West Somerset Railway since 1976, and been an active volunteer since 1978. A regular Driver on the line, he is the Chairman of the WSR Special Events Planning Team, and a former Director of both the WSRA and the WSR plc, and former Editor of the WSR Journal. Locomotives of the West Somerset Railway: 2 is his fourth book about the WSR produced by Ian Allan Publishing.

 • What the reviews say about the book……

“A successful book not only thrills but inspires the reader to take action. Locomotives of the West Somerset Railway wins on both counts…………The photography is as clear as a summer’s evening…………The photography is outstanding, a real tribute to the efforts of Richard Jones, who lives locally and clearly knows his subject…………Highly recommended.” RailStaff, May 2002

“……a fine record of this lovely line.” Main Line, No 116, Summer 2002