For almost a hundred years the Mangotsfield-Bath line provided a direct rail link from Bath to the Midlands and the North of England. Originally built as a branch with a splendid terminus at Green Park, the line took on greater significance once the Somerset and Dorset line had opened, which enabled trains to run through from the North to Bournemouth. Numerous industries along the line supplied a variety of goods traffic and local passenger trains ran through to both Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol St Philip's stations. Fortunately this story is not set entirely in the past. Part of the route has been preserved by the Avon Valley Railway, from its base at Bitton station. A recent extension southwards enables passengers and users of the Bristol and Bath Railway Path to reach the riverside and picnic area. The AVR's long term plan is to extend their line to the outskirts of Bath - a return trip of some 14 miles. The AVR already receives 80,000 visitors a year. The magnificent 'train shed' structure at Bath Green Park station has also been preserved and now provides cover for a car park.This much enlarged edition is presented in an A5 format, and consists of 176 pages with more than 200 illustrations. There are a number of Ordnance Survey maps included which help the reader to understand the sometimes complex layouts along the line.