Description

This is the story of one of Britain’s most delightful railways. The Weston, Clevedon and Portishead Railway was a quirky, colourful, independent, standard gauge light railway which served the people of North Somerset from 1897-1940. First proposed in 1884, construction took so long that some sleepers were rotten by the time the line opened! The railway was always short of money, and most of the locos and rolling stock were bought second-hand from various sources, making a motley but interesting collection. Over its 14 mile length there were 19 stations, mostly just halts with no platforms and only a hut for shelter. Where there were platforms, they were usually made of wood. Stories abound of times when passengers would jump off to pick flowers or blackberries at the many level crossings. Trains were led across the streets in Clevedon by a guard carrying red and green flags, and the line ran through beautiful countryside. From 1911 until 1931, the railway came under the management of the ‘Light Railway King’ Col. H F Stephens. This DVD brings the story of this fascinating railway to life, with the help of some superb rare photographs, precious archive film from the 1930s, an award-winning model railway, interviews and aerial footage of some of the route of the line today. A real treat for railway enthusiasts everywhere.

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