Dorchester to Bournemouth

Dorchester to Bournemouth

Quote from Wilkipedia
The station opened on 1 June 1847 when the Southampton and Dorchester was completed. The station was built as an east facing terminus with the intent of continuing the line westwards towards Exeter These plans were never realised, and instead another line was built from the terminus towards Weymouth. This joined with the GWR's line from Dorchester West and continued as a joint line to Weymouth.
Originally named 'Dorchester', the station was renamed 'Dorchester South' on 26th September 1949. The station remained a terminus with trains from Bournemouth having to enter the station, reverse out back the way they came then reverse again and proceed to Weymouth. Trains from Weymouth had to pass the station, then reverse into it, and then back out. This process often caused delays and brought criticism following an accident in 1877. As a result, a curved platform was provided for southbound trains; this was brought into use during 1878. Eastbound trains still reversed into the original platform until 1970 when a platform was built on the curve. The buildings on the trackless original platform remained in use until 1989. As part of the modernisation work preparatory to electrification a new booking hall was built on the curved platform, replacing the building on the original platform which was then demolished.

Many thanks to Mike Morant, Mick House and Roger Winnen, major contributors to this section.

Dorset Coast Resignalling. A very comprehensive survey and detailed photographs of boxes along this line can be obtained by going to this excellent website table158photography.weebly.com/dorset-coast-signalling.html

The approach to Dorchester South station from the Weymouth direction, coverage from Dorchester Junction.

A cab photo - Dorchester Junction from the south. The lines ahead (left) got to Dorchester West, & Castle Cary. Those to the right are to Dorchester South and eventually Waterloo. This picture is just pre-electrification era and is about 1988. Copyright Mick House.

Maumbury road bridge Copyright Mick House

Under Maumbury Road bridge and looking towards Dorchester South Station. Copyright Mick House

From the Maumbury road bridge looking north towards Dorchester South with unit 444 043 approaching. Copyright Mick House

A cab view of Dorchester South station at the time of the work to electrify the line on to Weymouth. To the left can be seen the buildings of the terminal station. Note the both conductor rails for the forthcoming electrification lie alongside the up side metals. Copyright Mick House 1988.

Looking ahead, just beyond the Bournemouth end of the up platform note the as yet to be fitted conductor rails, especially that for the down side. The steam loco shed and turntable lay off to the right whilst off the left lay the coal sidings and the metals leading to the terminal building. 1988 Copyright Mick House.

Dorchester South taking a look at the original station

An undated view of the superb vista that greeted every visitor to Dorchester South station for decades until it was replaced with the structure that is nearby today. [Mike Morant collection]

The quite grand station buildings with an interesting array of 'vintage' cars. 3rd January 1978 Copyright Roger Winnen

An outstanding view of the odd operational arrangement at Dorchester South station photographed on August 5th, 1966. The down or Weymouth platform to the left is still as shown here albeit with a brick built shelter rather than a wooden one but the main station was the only one for services towards Poole and was, in effect, an inconvenient terminus which required that trains which stopped at Dorchester had to draw past and then reverse into it. That's all been swept away and a more convenient platform with station buildings replaced it. Almost all the vista in front of you in this picture is occupied by the recently built Brewery Square complex named after the famed Eldridge Pope brewery which stood on the site. [Mike Morant collection]

By the time Roger Winnen of the CRS visited Dorchester South on the 3rd January 1978 All track had been removed though the original station buildings remaIned in use with a connecting walkway to the new station. This is seen crossing the original track formation. Copyright Roger Winnen

Looking along the old platform towards Bournemouth. The relative cleanliness on the ballast on the left beside the 'up platform', which remained in use until 1970, contrasts with that alongside the remains of the fromer down terminal platform to the right. This ceased to be used in 1878 when the 'new' down platform was constructed. Copyright Roger Winnnen, 3rd January 1978

It's a poor negative but is here to demonstrate the odd traffic arrangements for 'Up' services that stopped at Dorchester South station in steam days. This is Ivatt 'Mickey Mouse 2-6-2T no. 41324 moving past the 'Up' branch that required stopping services to reverse into the platform as shown here. [Mike Morant collection]

Bulleid rebuilt West Country pacific no. 34044 Woolacombe in charge of a Weymouth - Waterloo service arrives at Dorchester South station on 15/7/65. [Mike Morant collection]

Bulleid rebuilt Merchant Navy pacific no. 35028 Clan Line in charge of a Waterloo - Weymouth service arrives at Dorchester South station on 15/7/65. [Mike Morant collection]

Dorchester South station from the down platform showing 2 home signals. We are advised by Chris Osment) that - the nearer signal is indeed the Up Main Home (No 34), but the further signal is the Up Bay Starting (No 33) – the angle of view is deceptive. 24th March 1966 Copyright Geoff Matthews

Bulleid rebuilt 'Merchant Navy' pacific no. 35023 Holland-Afrika Line prepares to depart towards Wareham from the old Dorchester South station on June 19th, 1967 almost at the end of SR steam. [Mike Morant collection]

We're almost at the end of Southern steam with this shot of BR Standard 4MT mogul no.76009 ready for departure from Dorchester South station with the 12.10 semi-fast to Bournemouth on 28/6/67. [Mike Morant collection]

Dorchester South - more recently

A class 33 in charge of a down service to Weymouth pauses at Dorchester South. 3rd January 1978 Copyright Roger Winnen

It is the 6th June 1986 and the picture is taken from an up train running into Dorchester South. Extension work is in progress on the down platform. Beyond the road overbridge which carries Maumbury Road lies Dorchester Junction where the metals of GWR line from Castle Cary join and continue towards Weymouth. Note the third rail for the electrification of the line is in place but obviously not in use. Copyright Roger Winnen.

It's the 12th June 1982 we witness the arrival of a Weymouth bound train seen passing Dorchester South signal box. Copyright Roger Winnen

We are east of Dorchester South heading for Moreton. We see Dorchester South Signalbox taken from an up train. Note the third rail already in position but not in use. In the distance lies Dorchester South station. 860906zzzh Weymouth Signal Box. Copyright Roger Winnen

From Culliford Road bridge - about 400 yards east of Dorchester station.

Bournemouth bound BRCW Type 3 'Crompton' Bo-Bo diesel no. 33118 in 'push mode' and a 4TC unit photographed from Culliford Road bridge in Dorchester on the snow bedecked morning of March 28th, 1975. Snow is unusual in Dorchester and that late in the spring is something I've not come across in the 13 years that I've lived there. This photographer's vantage point is still popular for photographing each summer's steam specials although the overall view has become marred by unrestricted overgrowth. [Mike Morant collection]

BR Standard 8P pacific no. 71000 Duke of Gloucester heads The Cathedrals Express as it accelerates away from Dorchester South towards Wareham on July 9th, 2005. [Mike Morant]

How the scene has changed!! A view of Dorchester station on the 20th January 2017. Photo by Mike Morant

A picture taken on the 20th January 2017 as a 444 unit forms the 11.33 departure for Waterloo. Photo by Mike Morant

Courtesy Mike Morant

Dorchester Railtours - captured by Mike Morant

19th July 2008

The bare facts about this picture are that this was the first down Dorset Coast Express of the 2008 season on 9/7/2008 and we are looking at Bulleid original light pacific no. 34067 Tangmere passing Dorchester South signal box on the approach to the station. On the face of it, this doesn’t seem to qualify as a good picture but I rate it as one of the finest steam shots I’ve ever taken. This was high summer but this was taken during the midst of one of the fiercest rainfalls that I can recall in this country and it was the third of the day. The apparent ‘noise’ in the image is actually 45˚ stair rods as they are commonly called and the previous storm as I’d approached the station had shredded my golfing umbrella. [Mike Morant]

This was the first up Dorset Coast Express of the 2008 season on 9/7/2008 and we are looking at Bulleid original light pacific no. 34067 Tangmere passing through Dorchester South station. [Mike Morant] (Glad that the rain had at least eased for the second of his pictures on summers day)

23rd August 2008

The down Cathedrals Express hauled by LMS liveried Stanier pacific no. 6233 Duchess of Sutherland approaches platform 2 at Dorchester South station on 23/8/2008. This trip started from Clapham Junction and I’ve just noticed the SC plate on the smokebox door which might not have been authentic for LMS days. [Mike Morant]

The down Cathedrals Express hauled by LMS liveried Stanier pacific no. 6233 Duchess of Sutherland prepares to depart from platform 2 at Dorchester South station on 23/8/2008. This was a scheduled 2 minute stop but for what reason isn’t known to me as the return trip passed straight through. [Mike Morant]

The returning Cathedrals Express hauled by LMS liveried Stanier pacific no. 6233 Duchess of Sutherland drifts through Dorchester South station on 23/8/2008. [Mike Morant]

Atttracting a lot of attention. The returning Cathedrals Express hauled by LMS liveried Stanier pacific no. 6233 Duchess of Sutherland drifts through Dorchester South station on 23/8/2008. [Mike Morant]

19th August 2009

The down Dorset Coast Express on 19/8/2009 - in brilliant sunshine for a change - hauled by Bulleid original light pacific no. 34067 Tangmere approaches Dorchester South. [Mike Morant]

18th August 2010

There were two scheduled steam trains through Dorchester South on 18/8/2010 but a perceived fire risk saw them diesel hauled. This was the first of the two hauled by class 37 no. 37706 on the approach to Dorchester photographed from Culliford bridge. [Mike Morant]

28th July 2010

The outward Dorset Coast Express hauled by Gresley A4 no. 60019 Bittern approaches Dorchester South station’s up platform which caught most of us by surprise on 28/7/2010. [Mike Morant] Note the collection of enthusiasts on Culliford Road bridge

The returning Dorset Coast Express hauled by Maunsell N15 no. 30777 Sir Lamiel passes gingerly through Dorchester South station on 28/7/2010. [Mike Morant]

The returning Dorset Coast Express hauled by Maunsell N15 no. 30777 Sir Lamiel passes gingerly through Dorchester South station and continues its way on 28/7/2010. [Mike Morant]

9th August 2011

LNER Gresley A4 pacific no. 4492 Dominion of New Zealand, AKA no. 60019 Bittern, in pre-war guise with valances fitted and blue livery is in charge of the returning Dorset Coast Express as it enters Dorchester South station on 9/8/2011. Note 34067 Tangmere at the rear. Sometimes the banker continued to Wareham but on this occasion dropped off at Dorchester which was probably why the train stopped. The drop-off was pretty sharpish because 34067 had already reversed out of sight by the time that I had snapped the front end of 4492 and walked to the back of the train. [Mike Morant]

LNER Gresley A4 pacific no. 4492 Dominion of New Zealand, AKA no. 60019 Bittern, in pre-war guise with valances fitted and blue livery is in charge of the returning Dorset Coast Express draws at Dorchester South station on 9/8/2011. Culliford bridge from which many of my Dorchester shots have been taken and the signal box are both visible in the background. [Mike Morant]

East of Dorchester - cab pictures taken in 1988 by Mick House

Culliford Road Bridge. Copyright Mick House. N.B. The conductor rails are partly laid but wait to be polished!!

The down main was out of use by this time (1988). To the left lay the cattle dock. Copyright Mick House

Alington Road Bridge (B3143) Copyright Mick House

A cab picture of Smokey Hole Lane bridge. Copyright Mick House

Moreton Opened in 1847 Five and half miles from Dorchester

A lovely colour shot as Bulleid rebuilt light pacific no. 34021 Dartmoor arrives at Morton station whilst in charge of the 13.30 Waterloo - Weymouth service on 6/6/65. [Mike Morant collection]

Moreton station 3rd January 1978. Copyright Roger Winnen

A train heads for Weymouth, passing Moreton Station. 3rd January 1978 Copyright Roger Winnen

Courtesy Mike Morant

Winfrith (sidings) Eight and a quarter miles from Dorchester
(No pictures at present)

Wool Ten miles from Dorchester

820612m 2 4 Car TCs at Wool on a working to Waterloo. 12th June 1982 Copyright Roger Winnen

Wool Signalbox 12th June 1982 Copyright Roger Winnen

Wool Signal Box and station 0n 26th May 2001. Copyright Roger Winnen At times this crossing on the A352 must cause serious hold ups!.

Courtesy Mike Morant

Worgret Jct Approx thirteen and three quarter miles from Dorchester

From a up Swanage branch train at Worgret Junction the fireman has just put the token on the cows horn. 22nd March 1966 Copyright Geoff Matthews

Looking back from the same train showing Worgret Junction Signalbox and the main line towards Dorchester. 22nd March 1966. Copyright

Worgret Junction from A352 road bridge 26th May 2001 Copyright Kevin Jenkin N.B. This was once a double track junction, the Swanage branch quickly becoming a single line.

Wareham Fifteen Miles from Dorchester

A Maunsell U class comes through Wareham with a mixed freight. This 2.6.0 loco was built in 1926 and lasted until January 30th 1964. It is nice to see that the station advertises the Swanage branch and that the up platform still has signals for the bay. Picture from Mick Hymans Copyright

Maunsell Q class 0-6-0 No. 30548 prepares to navigate the level crossing at Wareham circa 1960. [Mike Morant collection]

Bulleid original Battle of Britain pacific no. 34110 66 Squadron, numerically the last of the class, draws to a stop at Wareham. 66 Squadron had the misfortune to be one of the first of the class to be withdrawn whilst allocated to Exmouth Junction mpd in November 1963. [Mike Morant collection]

Wareham - 41224 overfilling the tanks at Wareham Station on 24th March 1965 Copyright Geoff Matthews

41224 now replenished taking the Swanage branch train out of down main platform on 24th March 1965 Copyright Geoff Matthews Note the level crossing gates and the far side of the platform not given over to a car park.

Wareham change for Jurassic Coast, 8th May 2019. Copyright Mick House.

Wareham station frontage 16th August 2008 Courtesy Mike Morant Collection

Station building, built in 1886 for the opening of the line 1887 and the London & South Western Railway Company coat of arms, 8th May 2019. Copyright Mick House.

Wareham station looking east 16th August 2008 Courtesy Mike Morant Collection

Wareham station looking west 16th August 2008 Courtesy Mike Morant Collection

Wareham station station building. 16th August 2008 Courtesy Mike Morant Collection

Up bay platform for the Swanage branch, 8th May 2019. Copyright Mick House.

Overview from footbridge also showing the up bay platform, there was also a down bay platform, now a car park, 8th May 2019. Copyright Mick House.

Footbridge, 08/05/2019. Copyright Mick House.

Footbridge with station behind, 8th May 2019. Copyright Mick House.

Up platform No 1 & down platform No 2 looking towards Weymouth, 8th May 2019. Copyright Mick House.

Wareham signal box looking east 16th August 2008 Courtesy Mike Morant Collection

Wareham Signalbox 16th August 2008 Courtesy Mike Morant Collection

Looking towards London you can see the little used crossover and under the A351 road bridge the down sidings, 8th May 2019. Copyright Mick House.

The station has the modern LED coloured lights, 8th May 2019. Copyright Mick House.

Public House Sign at Wareham. 12th June 1986. Copyright Roger Winnen

Railway Hotel is now a Indian restaurant (Monsoon), 8th May 2019. Copyright Mick House.

Locos Heading from Wareham to Swanage 08/05/2019. Copyright Mick House.

Courtesy Mike Morant

Holton Heath Halt Seventeen miles from Dorchester Built to serve a cordite factory.

Holton Heath Station with a train to Bournmouth and London Waterloo. 6th September 1986 Copyright Roger Winnen

The class 33 propels its train towards Bournemouth and eventually London Waterloo. Members of a CRS minibus party on both platforms. Minibus parked outside. 6th September 1986. Copyright Roger Winnen

Holton Heath Colin Burges

While ticking off Dorset's remaining operational stations last week, I got off the train at Wareham - which I used last year when I went to Swanage - and cycled through to Holton Heath. I found a short cut along a footpath and came upon what was immediately apparent as a former government installation. A lot of this has become a trading estate so, with time in hand before the next train, I went in search of a catering van for a cup of coffee.

When I returned home I found that I had actually been in the midst of the former Royal Navy Cordite Factory, built in 1914. The halt was opened to serve the factory. It was obviously a highly secure and sensitive site; in fact a decoy was built nearby during World War II. As a security measure, it never appeared on the O.S. "Popular" one-inch map.

And look at this: it appears in its W.W. One form on the 1925 25 in. survey; vanishes back to heathland in 1954 (the 1936 survey is blank); and reappears in its post W.W. Two form, shorn of its railways, on the 1970 survey.

As well as it direct rail connection, a line continued alongside the Southern and crossed it to serve a jetty; the overbridge is still there. A network of standard and narrow gauge lines went in all directions. From Holton Heath Station to the northern tip of the site was well over a mile.

Little did I know that as I drank my coffee at a picnic bench beside an unfinished roundabout I was sitting on the course of one of the ministry's lines.

Cheers, Colin Many thanks Colin, more recent maps not shown - copyright restrictions.

Hamworthy Nineteen and three quarter miles from Dorchester
Known as Hamworthy Junction until 70's. Had the last semaphore signals on the SW main line until 2014.

An 08 stands on the Hamworthy branch from the junction 6th August 1979 Copyright Roger Winnen. As of 2016 the branch remains connected to the mainline network, but sees no regular traffic. Semi-permanent fences and barriers have been erected across the line near each of the level crossings in the port area

A Class 33 on a Weymouth Train arrives at Hamworthy Junction, 6th August 1979. Copyright Roger Winnen

A Freightliner train comes off the Hamworthy Goods Branch and is seen heading east. 6th August 1979. Copyright Roger Winnen

6th August 1879 Class 33 is seen on a train of mark 1s passing through Hamworthy Junction. Copyright Roger Winnen

A class 33 arrives with a Weymouth service 6th August 1979. Copyright Roger Winnen

A study of Weymouth Signalbox 6th August 1979. Copyright Roger Winnen.

The exterior of Hamworthy station. 6th August 1979. Copyright Roger Winnen.

A down service calls at Hamworthy. 6th August 1979. Copyright Roger Winnen

A Weymouth to Waterloo service is propelled out of Hamworthy Junction. 6th August 1979Copyright Roger Winnen

Note :- At Hamworthy Jct a single track line (formely double track until 1932) headed north towards Broadstone, prior to reaching Broadstone it converged with another track from Poole which had left the Dorchester - Bournemouth line prior ro Poole at Holes Bay Junction.

S&D Evercreech to BournemouthWe will now pause for a short while to look at the lines on Evercreech to Broadstone S & D is already covered elsewhere. Click here

Sketch map by Keith Jenkin.

BR Standard 4MT 2-6-0 no. 76005 at Creekmoor Halt in 1962. If the supplied date is correct then 76005 was a Salisbury engine at the time but there's no shed plate on the smokebox door to confirm that and I wonder if this was taken after 76005 moved to Bournemouth in 1965. Pictures taken at Creekmoor Halt are scarce and it was latecomer opening in 1933 and closing in 1966. [Mike Morant collection]

Broadstone 76011 pauses on the last day for the station - 5th March 1966 Copyright Barry Lucas (Note the young man in school uniform on the island platform. A long covered footbridge served all platforms.

48760 calls at Braodstone on the very last day with the 13.25 off Branksome - the time is 13.44 5th March 1966. The headboard OURS is for the Oxford University Railway Society. The nearest person on the island platform is, I've just realised Keith Jenkin. Photograph by Barry Lucas. Copyright.

Broadstone station on the 18th September 1982 Copyright Roger Winnen The island platform can still be seen, just.

What is there now? From Wilipedia :- Today the site is occupied by Broadstone Leisure Centre, its car park and a traffic roundabout. A subway to Broadstone's shopping area passes under the roads where the railway bridge used to be. This, and the building of some houses on the old trackbed north of the station site, mean that the Castleman Trailway skirts the edge of the former site before regaining the old trackbed on the way to Wimborne.

Interesting tickets. Before it was renamed Broadstone this station was called Poole Junction (New). The ticket images below are courtesy of Mike Morant.

Poole and the complexities thereof.

If "Poole" is stated on its own then it is always referring to "Poole" as we know it today.
If "Junc" is appended to "Poole" (even if "New" is mentioned) then it is referring to Broadstone.
If "Poole (New)" then it is referring to "Poole" as we know it today. It is NOT Broadstone.

Courtesy Mike Morant

We return now to the Dorchester to Bournemouth Route

Poole Causeway parade

Poole Causeway 1 A Four Car 4 VEP unit crosses Poole Causeway 22nd May 1989 Copyright Roger Winnen N.B. The water to the left is Upton Lake, that to the right is Creekmore Lake

Poole Causeway 2 A Close up of the Class 47 hauling two clay wagons and five tanks. 22nd May 1989 Copyright Roger Winnen

Poole Causeway 3 Two trains passing. 22nd May 1989 Copyright Roger Winnen

Poole Causeway 4 A Class 37 with one tank wagon approaches Southampton. 22nd May 1989 Copyright Roger Winnen

Poole Causeway 5 A Wessex Electric on Poole Causeway 22nd May 1989 Copyright Roger Winnen

Poole Causeway 6 Clay and Tanks on the approaches to Poole. 22nd May 1989 Copyright Roger Winnen

Poole Causeway 7 Class 47 with Tanks on shrt freight crosses the River Test eastbound towards Poole, 22nd May 1989 . Copyright Roger Winnen

Holes Bay Junction Prior to May 1977 there was a double track route through from here to Broadstone passing through Creekmore Halt. Please see pictures of Creekmoor Halt and Broadstone and further details below.

Poole Twenty two miles from Dorchester.

Former LSWR Urie designed N15 'King Arthur' 4-6-0 no. 30736 Excalibur of 1918 vintage is shown here at Poole in August 1956. No. 30736 was a Bournemouth allocated engine throughout its BR years and would be withdrawn from there only two months after this shot was taken. [Mike Morant]

A Class 47 passing the carriage sidings at Poole. 22nd May 1989 Copyright Roger Winnen

Courtesy Mike Morant

Poole and the complexities thereof.

If "Poole" is stated on its own then it is always referring to "Poole" as we know it today.
If "Junc" is appended to "Poole" (even if "New" is mentioned) then it is referring to Broadstone.
If "Poole (New)" then it is referring to "Poole" as we know it today. It is NOT Broadstone.

Courtesy Mike Morant

Parkstone Twenty three and three quarter miles from Dorchester

Courtesy Mike Morant

Branksome Twenty five miles from Dorchester

Branksome Station 6th August 1979 Picture taken from a passing train with a class 33 on the back - pushing mode. Copyright Roger Winnen

Branksome hosted its own small servicing facility specifically for locomotives that had emanated from the Somerset & Dorset's metals but it had an Achilles heel insofar as the turntable was long enough to accommodate the 2P 4-4-0's and 4F 0-6-0's but was far too short for the S & D's 7F 2-8-0's and Stanier Black 5 4-6-0's. Those two classes were required to use the Branksome triangle as their turning method and here we see S & D 7F no. 53806 performing just such a manoeuvre in 1961.
[Mike Morant collection]

West of Bournemouth and just east of Branksome this viaduct carried a double track connection to Bournmouth West Terminus and later traincare depot. There was a turntable and small depot associated with the Somerset and Dorset services located within the triangle. This picture taken on 7th July 2016 The double track connection was closed on the `1st November 1965. Copyright Roger Winnen

Bournemouth Central Twenty seven and three quarter miles from Dorchester

Home Counties Railway Society: Somerset & Dorset Tour 7/6/64. Fowler 7F 2-8-0 no. 53807 and 4F 0-6-0 no. 44558 at Bournemouth mpd prior to the start of the S&D leg of the tour.
[Mike Morant collection]

Bournemouth shed Class 5 73092 Undated 1967 poss. Copyright Martin Scane

Bournemouth Sir Nigel Gresley 4th June 1967 Copyright Martin Scane

Bournemouth Standard 4T 80133 approaching Bournemouth (passing the loco shed) with (according to my notes) an empty stock train Martin Scane Copyright

76005 on Bournemouth mpd (in the shed yard) on the same day as Z13 Martin Scane Copyright

Bournemouth shed 1966 Copyright Trevor Snell

Bournemouth shed 80146 1966 Copyright Trevor Snell

Bournemouth 76026 awaits departure in 1966 Copyright Trevor Snell

Bournemouth 1966 34056 Croydon Built 1947 Modified December 1960 Withdrawn May 67 Copyright Trevor Snell

Bournemouth 1966 Copyright Trevor Snell

Just two hours at Bournemouth - pictures captured at Bournemouth in a two hour visit by John Cornelius - how interesting and varied motive power was in those days.

Cppyright John Cornelius

Pictures at Bournemouth Shed taken by Geoffery Matthews
(On official visit with a permit)

Bournemouth Shed Crewkerne on shed 20th June 1964 Geoffery Matthews

34023 Blackmore Vale - very dirty and nameless on shed. 25th Ma7 1966. Copyright Geoffery Matthews

34082 615 Squadron on the turntable at Bournemouth shed 23rd May 1965 Copyright Geoffrery Matthews

Courtesy Mike Morant

Bournemouth

A look at Bournemouth Central in 2010

An interesting shot of the crossovers at Bournemouth 5th March 2010 Copyright Mick House

An up train passes through Bournemouth on the 5th March 2010. The extent of the extremely long down platform is well illustrated here. 5th March 2010 Copyright Mick House

A look at Bornemouth Central in 2016

Bournmouth 9th May 2016 About to couple the Weymouth portion to the Waterloo train at Bournmouth. Copyright Roger Winnen

A general view from the footbridge at Bournmouth looking towards Southampton and Waterloo. The bay platform is to the extreme left. 9th May 2016. Copyright Roger Winnen

It is possible to cross from one platform to the other either by a footbridge or this subway at the east end of the station. 9th May 2016. Copyright Roger Winnen.

A quick look outside at the impressive front. Yellow cabs in attendance in the distance. 9th May 2016. Copyright Roger Winnen.