The building of this railway line between Brockenhurst and Christchurch from 1884 to 1888 provided a direct link between Bournemouth and London and was to have a profound effect on the local communities and was instrumental in Bournemouth's rapid expansion during the latter part of the 19th century. Although this book details the historical facts emphasis is placed on the human side, the lives of the navvies who built the line and of the social impact the whole enterprise had on SW Hampshire and its communities. The book also explains the 'treacle' at Sway and why it was so problemmatic.