Weymouth Quays

[gareth taylor]

Appologies if in the wrong section.

Was in Weymouth this week, I noticed single track leading up to the habour. My question is, how long since there was any passenger services to there?

 

[steamybrian]

It was used by regular boat trains from London connecting with the ferries to the Channel Islands until September 1987. After which it was still available for occasional specials such as railtours until the last train ran in 1999.

 

[gareth taylor]

thanks

 

[swt_passenger]

It's currently 'temporarily out of use', but NR have just started the full closure procedures.

 

[jamesr]

Is it still fully connected?

To be honest, much as I'm against any rail closure, and seeing "proper" trains running along a road, it always was a bit of a red herring - proceeding round the back and along the quay at walking pace adding 20-30 minutes to the journey when the quay was walkable from the main station in far less time.

Very difficult to see any practical future use.

 

[Welshman]

We went on holiday to Guernsey in the early 1970s, and for me, the highlight of the whole two weeks was the trip on the Weymouth tramway!
As I remember, the train was well-filled, both on the outward and return journeys, and although the distance may be easily walkable, it was a boon to those with heavy suitcases, saving the expense of taxis or the need for a bus connection.
I suppose the Health & Safety people would never permit it today.

 

[LE Greys]

YouTube video I've found

 

[wintonian]

Video of the last train in 1999
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJbv5me0pRQ

And one from 1994 which I think highlights the H&S differences.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6XEVvVRB_4

 

[LE Greys]

Video of the last train in 1999
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJbv5me0pRQ

And one from 1994 which I think highlights the H&S differences.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6XEVvVRB_4

Nice one (or two).

 

[merlodlliw]

Travelled on it from Waterloo in the very middle 60s, this was when the one class ships had just come on line, The Sarnia was one of the ships, also recall the sign Guernsey station in green.
Back to the point, it was at crawling pace,pulled if I recall by a diesel through the town,signs in the carriages dont use the toilet when in the town.

On the return the steam loco,when attached was assisted by a banking engine .


Bob

 

[The Planner]

Not quite the same, but Id expect to see Voyagers in Weymouth during the Olympics.

 

[Oracle]

When I last looked (last year) the track appeared to have been severed as a result of local council road works near the station.

 

[MrC]

When I last looked (last year) the track appeared to have been severed as a result of local council road works near the station.

Quite possibly - the whole of King St. is being dug up over 26 weeks(!) for gas and traffic works before the Olympic events kick off and I doubt the line will survive as it's a real anachronism with no potential for future use. Next time I'm spare or cover I may wander over and have a look and see what's going on.

 

[swt_passenger]

The status of a line like this 'on the ground' is often completely different to its official status.

Probably why NR are now closing it properly, just to catch up with the council's roadworks.

Locking the stable door after etc, etc...

 

[jopsuk]

It's a relic of a time when ferries actually carried significant numbers of foot passengers- these days the vast majority of ferry passengers are with vehicles as foot traffic headed for the skies. For the hassle of maintainence and the bother of the operations, it is not worth keeping it.

 

[kentuckytony]

One can also see a "driver's eye view" of the entire Weymouth Quay branch from the cab in the 1994 DVD "Wessex: Weymouth to Waterloo" by Video 125.
They even have to wrestle an encroached parked car out of the way!

Not free like the YouTube films, but a nice different angle from the cab itself.

 

[Oracle]

I hope that this shows the King Street/Commercial Road junction and LC. It is much as I remember it:


http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Wey...0,0.136986&z=14&panoid=Bd_FpnlNwiNqWi920nsJAQ

Note the fuel prices [TURN VIEW TO THE RIGHT].

 

[Train wasp]

Most of the line is now in very poor condition and would need to be completely renewing before any loco/unit could traverses the quay line again. I did notices the signal at the Jersey sidings is still working which I was very surprised to see considering it hasn’t been used for a considerable amount of time.

 

[MrC]

I did notices the signal at the Jersey sidings is still working which I was very surprised to see considering it hasn’t been used for a considerable amount of time.

Do you mean the signal at the London end which leads onto the single line? If so the stub of the Quay branch as far as the signal protecting Melcombe Regis L/C at the B&Q car park entrance is still open, although used very rarely, and I've only seen infrastructure trains on it. Jersey sidings are still definitely in use for shunts and the occasional berthing. Jubilee siding (where the compound is) is still in use but hasn't been used for a while (AFAIK).

Obviously this may all get a bit busier with any increased workings for the Olympics.

 

[Train wasp]

Do you mean the signal at the London end which leads onto the single line?

Thats the one.

 

[MrC]

Next time I'm spare or cover I may wander over and have a look and see what's going on.

OK, for those who are interested the tramway hasn't been affected (yet) by the King St. works.

 

[wibble]

Not quite the same, but Id expect to see Voyagers in Weymouth during the Olympics.

That's the only way you'll be able to get extra capacity down there as the power supply is not up to much down there!