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PHOTO
GALLERY GROUP 46
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The
Bridport Branch, Dorset. Much of the former branch line from
Maiden Newton to Bridport can now be walked, but there are two sections
where walkers should stay off the trackbed, namely (1) Tollerford,
near Maiden Newton, to the bridge over the River Hooke, just north
of Toller (subject to delicate negotiations with the landowner), and
(2) Loders to Bradpole (line ploughed out). The branch crossed an
area of outstanding Dorset scenery and it is good to report that Sustrans
is working hard, via its local ranger and the communities along the
route, to establish a cycle trail over it. The following batch of
photographs show how the line looked in May 2010. |
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Above:
The old line crosses two bridges in the village of Loders
in quick succession, this being the first as the route is traced
from Bridport to Maiden Newton. The trackbed here is not accessible
and probably never will be, since it runs along an embankment that
overlooks people's gardens. Not far to the left of the picture,
the old railway has been ploughed out and does not re-appear until
Bradpole is reached. 1 May 2010. (Jeff Vinter) |
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Above:
This is the second, i.e. more easterly, bridge in Loders,
where the trackbed can be accessed via the steps seen in the left
foreground. It is then a clear walk of two miles to lonely Powerstock
station, which is actually closer to Nettlecombe than Powerstock.
Nettlecombe has a good pub, The Marquis of Lorne, which makes a convenient
destination if you fancy an out-and-back walk from here. 1 May 2010.
(Jeff Vinter) |
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Above:
This is the trackbed north east of Loders, looking towards
Powerstock. This is a particularly fine section of trackbed walking,
with fine views developing over a long combe to the left. The fence
posts are of a distinctive metal type that characterises this line;
they will last for decades yet! 1 May 2010. (Jeff Vinter) |
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Above:
The north parapet of Whetley Bridge, which is situated beyond
Powerstock en route to Toller. The stencilled writing reads
'BRP 5-12'. 'BRP' stands for 'Bridport line' and is the Engineer's
Line Reference. All lines have a 3- or 4-character code to identify
them, although Bridport used to be BPT. (A full list of line codes
is available at the link here
– scroll down to the bottom of the page for the A to Z index.)
'5-12' indicates 5 miles and 12 chains from the junction at Maiden
Newton, a chain being the old imperial measurement for 22 yards, i.e.
one-eightieth of a mile. If you can interpret these old railway markings,
it gives you a good idea of how far you have travelled, or how far
you have yet to go. While the rust and decay make for an arty photograph,
the bridge clearly needs some tender loving care. 1 May 2010. (Jeff
Vinter with help from Ron Strutt on the caption) |
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Above:
The south parapet of Whetley Bridge still wears its Southern
green beneath the drab black that British Rail sloshed all over the
branch in the late 1960s. Being lead-based, the Southern paint was
much tougher than its replacement and arguably looked better in the
countryside than BR's dreary corporate image. Mind you, when you consider
what BR did to its branch lines, black was an appropriate colour to
paint the structures on them. 1 May 2010. (Jeff Vinter) |
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Above:
This bridge on Witherstone Bank illustrates the other type
of bridge on the branch – the classic brick or stone arch as
opposed to the steel trough mounted between opposing abutments. This
bridge carries a bridleway over the line which, on this occasion,
looked as if it had not been used since the end of the previous winter.
1 May 2010. (Jeff Vinter) |
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Above:
The view from Witherstone Bridge looking north-eastwards
along the trackbed towards Toller. This part of the line has been
open to the public almost since closure, thanks to its early purchase
by the Dorset Nature Trust. Witherstone Bank was the summit of the
line, where heavily loaded coal trains sometimes stalled, especially
in damp weather, thus requiring help from a banking engine. 1 May
2010. (Jeff Vinter) |
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Above:
This bridge is situated on Powerstock Common, two miles from
Powerstock and one mile from Toller. The trackbed to the left of the
photograph is not publicly accessible and will not become so, but
a convenient detour starts behind the photographer, also on the left.
1 May 2010. (Jeff Vinter) |
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Above:
In negotiating terms, the most difficult part of the conversion
of the branch into a cycle trail is probably from Tollerford to the
railway bridge over the River Hooke, just north of Toller. This bridge,
just over a mile from the junction at Maiden Newton, is in the middle
of that section and carries the old line over the lane to Toller Fratrum.
If the trackbed to the right of the picture cannot be used, it is
hoped that this can be where trail users pick it up again for the
run into Toller. There are two Toller villages in the area –
Toller Fratrum and Toller Porcorum, meaning 'Toller of the brothers'
and 'Toller of the pigs' respectively, names which suggest that there
used to be a monastic settlement here. The old railway station was
at Toller Porcorum; residents of Toller Fratrum wishing to catch a
train had to walk to Maiden Newton! 1 May 2010. (Jeff Vinter) |
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