A TALK from a transport historian on the early developments of railways in the UK is coming to Weymouth next week. 

Historian John New will be leading the talk which will look at the impact that Napoleon Bonaparte had on British railways.

In this talk, Mr New will outline how the Napoleon war in the early 1800s and its aftermath changed the shape of transport in Britain and then the world. 

By the time of Napoleon, the use of primitive railways was centuries-old with horses ruling these early rails, including from 1806 onwards, a line in Dorset.

Now living on Portland, Mr New has been a freelance transport historian and photographer since retiring in 2008.

He has carried out extensive research on the early development of railways and has had several articles and academic papers published in this field. 

The talk will be held in Hope United Reformed Church at 8 Trinity Street. 

Tea and biscuits will be served from 2 pm and the talk will begin at 2.30 pm on Monday, February 27.

Tickets cost £2 for members of the Weymouth Museum Friends group and £3.00 for visitors.