The Weston, Clevedon & Portishead Light Railway had a relatively brief existence serving three coastal towns in north Somerset. Unfortunately, it never secured the financial backing that it required and greedy landowners forced it to exceed its available funding, delaying the completion of the line beyond Clevedon to Portishead for some years. A saviour in the form of a rich insurance broker, some clever technical innovations under the management of the 'light railway king' Colonel H. F. Stephens, and some dodgy financial restructuring kept the railway going until 1940. For most of its existence, though, it was in receivership. The public, particularly holidaymakers, came to appreciate the railway for its quirkiness, finding delight in its old-fashioned carriages and cast-off locomotives. For many residents it provided a useful service but they preferred the convenience of motor buses when they commenced operating in the area from the 1920s.

The writing was on the wall for the railway as soon as the first section opened between Weston-super-Mare and Clevedon in 1897, so it did well to last as long as it did. Railway historian Peter Johnson has researched official records and digitised newspapers in the search of fresh insights into this fascinating railway's story.