The Mansfield-Southwell-Rolleston Railway

Opening first between Southwell and Rolleston, later the section from Southwell to Mansfield was built. From the end of the 19th-century technological developments led to new pits being sunk to win coal, with implications for the railway. The axe fell on Mansfield-Southwell passenger services in August 1929, although race specials continued. Meantime the coalfield continued to expand. The story continues post-Nationalisation with the closure of east of Farmsfield and then west of Farnsfield in September 1983 and the end of the line. This railway had turbulent origins and a chequered history, told in five chapters concluding with a short chapter on motive power.