Catalogue description Wilts, Somerset and Weymouth Railway Company

The Wilts, Somerset and Weymouth Railway Company (WSW) was incorporated by the Wilts, Somerset and Weymouth Railway Act 1845 which also authorised the construction of several railways. The first was to commence at a junction with the Great Western Railway at Thingley, Wilts and terminate in the "City of New Sarum" (Salisbury), the second commencing at a junction with the first line at Upton Scudamore, Wilts and terminating in the Park, Melcombe Regis, Dors, the third from Melksham, Wilts on the first railway to Devizes, the forth from Staverton, Wilts to Bradford, Wilts, the fifth from Frome Selwood, Som to Radstock, the sixth from Bradford Abbas to Sherborne, Dors and the seventh from Maiden Newton, Dors to Bridport Harbour.

The 1845 Act also gave the WSW the powers either to lease or sell itself to the Great Western Railway Company (GWR) and the GWR undertook a lease in 1845; this being confirmed by the Wilts, Somerset and Weymouth Railway Act 1846.

Therefore, it was the GWR that constructed the authorised lines, the first section being opened between Thingley Junction and Westbury on 5 Sept 1848. Other openings followed and the proposed lines were completed by 1 July 1859.

The GWR purchased the WSW by an indenture dated 6 Mar 1850; the WSW being dissolved by the Great Western Railway Act 1851.