Somerset Guardian/Somerset Standard
Friday 11th March 1966
New Link Line For Transport Of Coal
After the last train had passed through Radstock on its way to Bournemouth on the Somerset and Dorset line on Sunday, engineers took over.
The up line was cut and slewed to meet a link line which now connects the Somerset and Dorset line with the former G.W.R. Bristol-Frome line.
This is to enable coal from Writhlington Colliery to be taken on to the former G.W.R. line and thence to Bristol and Portishead.
With the closure of the S. and D. line, and its signal boxes, the level crossing gates at Radstock, still needed for the link to Writhlington Colliery, have been disconnected from the signal box and are operated manually. They were formerly worked from the Radstock North Signal box.
ONLY A SHORT STRETCH
The line also provides a link to Wagon Repairs Ltd. whose workshops and sidings are alongside the former Somerset and Dorset line.
Only a short stretch of the S. and D. line from Radstock to Writhlington is now in use.
The Bristol-Frome line through Radstock is still used by freight trains through its length, though there are no through services. Trains from either Bristol or Frome terminate at Radstock and return, but it is proposed in the near future to close the section between Radstock and Mells Road station.
Last trips on the S. and D. and pictures – See pages 4 and 14.
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