A BRIDGWATER author and historian is searching for old photos of Bridgwater Railway.

Dave Bown, from Bawdrip, is writing a book called 'The Bridgwater Railway Through Bawdrip'.

The Bridgwater Railway Company built a branch railway from Bridgwater, through Bawdrip, Cossington and Chilton Polden, to Edington Junction near Burtle.

The railway opened in July 1890 and was just over seven miles long.

In July 1890, your Bridgwater Mercury wrote: "The line was opened for regular traffic on Monday morning 21st July 1890, when about 150 persons took tickets for the Edington Junction and back and there was a regular rush to obtain the first tickets.

"Most of the passengers returned to Bridgwater by the 08-45 train."

It was operated by the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway and operated for 64 years, but sadly closed in 1954.

Sainsbury's is now built on the site which housed the Bridgwater station.

Mr Bown said: "Do you have any old photos that you could share? Did you have ancestors who worked on the line?

"I have also built up a large database of personnel who worked along the line, in various job capacities, and would welcome queries about any ancestor you think might have worked on the line.

"The above picture was taken in 1913. The station booking hall is at the end of the arrival line to the left of the covered platform. St Johns church stands just to the right of that canopy. The goods shed is the building between the two men."

To get in touch, email Mr Bown on dbown100@hotmail.com or call 01278 683740.