A BRIDGWATER man is appealing for anyone that has stories or photos of the old railway line that ran from Bridgwater to Edington for its 125th year anniversary.

Dave Bown has been researching the seven mile track that began at Bridgwater North Station through Bawdrip and Cossington and finishing at Edington Junction.

It opened for business on 21 July 1890, making it 125 years since it began.

Dave, who retired at the age of 50, is putting together a collection of memories including photos and anecdotes to celebrate the anniversary and delve into the local history of the area surrounding the line.

He has been looking at old copies of the Bridgwater Mercury to help him create a webpage all about the old railway which he believes will interest enthusiasts.

“I was lucky enough to retire when I was 50 and I started off working on a project with a friend of mine taking photographs of Somerset,” said Dave.

“I actually live on the railway line in Bawdrip and so late last year I started looking at the history of the line when I came across some old documents that my father had kept when he bought the land from British rail in 1966 to build the bungalow where I now live.

“I knew also that my mother had worked in the ticket office at the Bridgwater North Station so that was another bit of interest for me.

“I wanted to build up a picture of how the village looked before the line was built, what happened during the building of the line, the operation of the railway itself including the trains, and today what is left of the line and structures that can still be seen.

Later this month, there will be a talk to a local history group about the findings of Dave’s research, as well as a walk along the old railway line.

“I could still do with finding some more photos and stories of the line,” continued Dave.

“I’m looking for anyone who might have a tale to tell- they would probably be over the age of 65 now.

“I hope to write a book eventually and call it The Bridgwater Railway Through Bawdip.”

If anybody can help Dave out, he is asking them to get in touch at dbown100@hotmail.com