Looking back: IN PICTURES when the railway ran through Radstock

Some wonderful photos have emerged of Radstock's railway, taking by a transport enthuiiast in 1976.

The photos were taken by Richard Beamer, who was working in Bristol at the time.

The Radstock station, first opened on 20 July 1874, was an important hub and flourished as the Somerset coalfields flourished. But as those declined, so did it's importance.

Passenger services were withdrawn when the SDJR closed on 7 March 1966 and after the final seams of coal were extracted from Writhlington Colliery on 28 September 1973, the spur was dismantled.

But a team of enthusiasts are hopeful that the railway WILL run again to Radstock.

You can read the Nub News report about their project to bring the railway back to Radstock - with a decision due in May - by clicking HERE : Radstock Nub News