The West Somerset line runs for 23 miles through some of the finest scenery in South West England. It starts at Norton Fitzwarren near Taunton, where it meets the main line of Network Rail to Exeter, Plymouth & Penzance, and climbs through the very scenic Quantock Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty until it reaches the sea near Watchet and then heads back inland for a few miles before rejoining the coast at Blue Anchor and the final 3 miles into Minehead.

Don Bishop has captured the line working through all the seasons over some 18 years with a particular emphasis on “steam in the landscape” shots, particularly in the months between October and April when the light is at its best, the sun lower in the sky and crisper. A great variety of steam locomotives that have worked over the line in recent years is seen, ranging from single coach Auto trains to through excursions from the national network.

Through more than 60 photographs included in this ground-breaking pocket-format book, Don portrays vividly Britain’s longest preserved steam line in all its glory.

Imprint: PiXZ Books. ISBN 978 1 906887 26 1, hardback, 110x155mm, 64 pages. Published April 2009.