The Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway (S&DJR) was an English railway company jointly owned by the Midland Railway and the London and South Western Railway. The railway linked Bath in north east Somerset to Bournemouth in south east Dorset. The railway had branch lines to Glastonbury and Bridgwater.

Management

The Somerset and Dorset Railway was formed by the merger of the Dorset Central Railway and the Somerset Central Railway. The word 'Joint' was added to the company name, when the railway was let on a 999 year lease to the Midland Railway and the London and South Western Railway in 1875.

At first, the Midland maintained the engines and the LSWR the rolling stock, track and signalling. Eventually the rolling stock was divided between the two owners, leaving only the locomotives displaying the company name. On grouping in 1923 the Midland was absorbed into the London Midland and Scottish Railway, and the LSWR into the Southern Railway. The S&DJR continued as a separate concern until 1928 when the remaining engines were taken in to stock by the LMS.

It was dismantled in 1966 as part of the Beeching Axe.

See also

• Rail transport in Great Britain