The Wrington Vale Light Railway

by Colin Gerald Maggs

The Wrington Vale lies approximately midway between Bristol and Weston-super-Mare, snuggling under the north-western slopes of the Mendip Hills. The railway was built and operated by the Great Western Railway and opened in 1901. For reasons of economy the Wrington Vale line was one of the first in southern England to see steam railmotor services. The Great Western made another ambitious attempt to improve economy when it built a pioneering oil-burning 0-4-0T for the line. Due to technical problems No. 101 never left the vicinity of the GWR's Swindon Works. The railway was to carry passengers for 30 years with freight on part of the line continuing for another 30 years. The author is well-known for his railway histories in and around Bristol and SouthWest England. As well as appealing to local and railway historians, this book will hold great appeal to railway modellers as it depicts a simple line with interesting features.