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SWT Additional Christmas services

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pompeyfan

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South West Trains are running extra services during December. Most are Weymouth - Salisbury (I assume via Yeovil, Frome, Westbury, although could be via Yeovil PM, Yeovil Jn), the ones that caught my eye however were Bournemouth - Salisbury via Weymouth. I would imagine Bournemouth crew to Weymouth, Salisbury link 1 crew to Salisbury.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Having done some digging it would appear the Bournemouth services were the weekend just passed. :oops:

Routed via a double reversal at Yeovil.
 
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berneyarms

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South West Trains are running extra services during December. Most are Weymouth - Salisbury (I assume via Yeovil, Frome, Westbury, although could be via Yeovil PM, Yeovil Jn), the ones that caught my eye however were Bournemouth - Salisbury via Weymouth. I would imagine Bournemouth crew to Weymouth, Salisbury link 1 crew to Salisbury.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Having done some digging it would appear the Bournemouth services were the weekend just passed. :oops:

Routed via a double reversal at Yeovil.

These extras run on:

Saturdays December 3 and 10:

08:03 Weymouth-Salisbury
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/Q21767/2016/12/03/advanced

16:24 Salisbury-Weymouth
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/Q21768/2016/12/03/advanced

And Sunday December 11:

09:59 Weymouth-Salisbury
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/Q59584/2016/12/11/advanced

16:23 Salisbury-Weymouth:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/Q59585/2016/12/11/advanced
 

TCDD

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I travelled on one of these services last Sunday (27th November). I was on my way from London to Dorchester and a route via Salisbury mysteriously appeared on the journey planner. I wondered if it was a computer glitch, but since the train ran at a convenient time, I decided to give it a go, fully expecting the train to not actually materialise at Salisbury. I was therefore both relieved and pleasantly when the 16.23 to Bournemouth appeared at few minutes late on platform 4 at Salisbury, formed of a 2-car 158 unit.

The train did indeed run via Yeovil, with a reversal at both stations. I got off at Dorchester West, whilst the train continued, via a further reversal at Weymouth, to Bournemouth. Interestingly this must be one of the first times a direct service has run between the two Dorchester stations!

According to the guard, the service was put on for those wishing to go to the Salisbury Christmas market, and there had been a service in the other direction earlier in the day. However, aside from a few shoppers heading home from Salisbury to Gillingham, the train was largely deserted. Certainly between the two Yeovils I was the only passenger in my carriage.

I wonder if any publicity was ever given to the service - I could find nothing online for sure. It was certainly useful for me, and I enjoyed a London to Dorchester journey in those wonderful comfy class 158/159 seats!
 

greaterwest

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I travelled on one of these services last Sunday (27th November). I was on my way from London to Dorchester and a route via Salisbury mysteriously appeared on the journey planner. I wondered if it was a computer glitch, but since the train ran at a convenient time, I decided to give it a go, fully expecting the train to not actually materialise at Salisbury. I was therefore both relieved and pleasantly when the 16.23 to Bournemouth appeared at few minutes late on platform 4 at Salisbury, formed of a 2-car 158 unit.

The train did indeed run via Yeovil, with a reversal at both stations. I got off at Dorchester West, whilst the train continued, via a further reversal at Weymouth, to Bournemouth. Interestingly this must be one of the first times a direct service has run between the two Dorchester stations!

According to the guard, the service was put on for those wishing to go to the Salisbury Christmas market, and there had been a service in the other direction earlier in the day. However, aside from a few shoppers heading home from Salisbury to Gillingham, the train was largely deserted. Certainly between the two Yeovils I was the only passenger in my carriage.

I wonder if any publicity was ever given to the service - I could find nothing online for sure. It was certainly useful for me, and I enjoyed a London to Dorchester journey in those wonderful comfy class 158/159 seats!

You must've been in the front carriage then, as I was in the rear (from Salisbury) and it was a little busier. The train was freezing cold though, the guard said something to do with the old air conditioning unit!
 

Bigfoot

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There are charity santa specials running Weymouth to Salisbury this year on some weekends. I'll try and find a link.
 

Kite159

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From SWT Journey Check:

Dear Customer

This year we're operating several additional "Christmas Shopper" and "Santa
Special" train services between Weymouth and Salisbury, to assist shoppers
with a busy schedule this festive season.

The dates for the Christmas Shopper services will be as follows:

Saturday 26 November and Saturday 10 December:

? 08:03 Weymouth to Salisbury via Dorchester West and Sherborne
? 16:24 Salisbury to Weymouth via Sherborne and Dorchester West Sunday 27
November
? 08:58 Bournemouth to Salisbury via Weymouth, Dorchester and Sherborne
? 16:23 Salisbury to Bournemouth via Sherborne, Dorchester and Weymouth
Sunday 18 December
? 11:23 Salisbury to Weymouth via Sherborne and Dorchester West
? 17:00 Weymouth to Salisbury via Dorchester West and Sherborne

Additional provisional Santa Special services will operate on Saturday 3
December and Sunday 11 December on behalf of Weldmar Hospicecare. Dates
will be confirmed at a later stage.
 

TCDD

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You must've been in the front carriage then, as I was in the rear (from Salisbury) and it was a little busier. The train was freezing cold though, the guard said something to do with the old air conditioning unit!
I was indeed in the front carriage - and the heating worked there!
 

1018509

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This is just a shot in the dark as I don't know, but wouldn't Bournemouth to Salisbury be quicker via Southampton Central or Eastleigh and Romsey?
 

TCDD

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This is just a shot in the dark as I don't know, but wouldn't Bournemouth to Salisbury be quicker via Southampton Central or Eastleigh and Romsey?

I wondered that too, but I imagine the idea was to attract day trip passengers from Weymouth, Dorchester, and Poole, with Bournemouth (reached much more quickly by bus) simply being a convenient terminus/origin.
 
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