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PHOTO
GALLERY GROUP 50
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The Somerset & Dorset Railway between Stourpaine
and Blandford Forum. Following the opening ceremony for the
new Hodmoor bridge just west of Stourpaine (see Photo Gallery 49),
the Webmaster took a look at the remains of the railway continuing
on to Blandford Forum. This is what he found ... |
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Above:
A final look at the new Hodmoor bridge, this time showing
the plaque commemorating the work of the major partners in the project
to replace it – Liveability, Dorset County Council and North
Dorset District Council. Although the name of the bridge has been
changed from Hodmoor to the more obvious Stourpaine, the railway
is remembered by a replica of the original bridge plate –
no. 185 – which has been cast and installed on one of the
abutments. The photographer, Mike Rutter, and the Webmaster were
standing just 6 ft. away from each other at the opening ceremony,
but didn't actually 'meet' until Mike submitted this picture a few
days later by e-mail. 7th November 2010. (Mike Rutter) |
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Above:
The Trailway currently leaves the trackbed just before Stourpaine
and runs into the village via a minor lane, so the embankment seen
here, which leads to the village's former station and then a bridge
under the busy A350 (both well out of frame to the left), is not open
to the public. This view was taken from a local footpath which starts
by Stourpaine parish church. 7th November 2010. (Jeff Vinter) |
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Above:
Stourpaine & Durweston Halt, a concrete structure opened
by the Southern Railway in July 1928, is on private land but, from
November to April, can be seen (just) from a public footpath. Hover
over this image to see the line of the platform, which is slipping
somewhat at its left, i.e. eastern, end. The slope seen here is not
just the ramp at the end of the platform! The running
in board is preserved in the wall of a children's playground in
nearby Durweston. 7th November 2010. (Jeff Vinter) |
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Above:
This bridge, now partially covered by ivy, stood at the eastern
end of Stourpaine & Durweston Halt. This is the view from the
Durweston side. In years gone by, passengers from Durweston would
have passed under this bridge and then turned immediately left to
open the station gate and climb the steps to the platform. The halt,
opened to local acclaim in 1928, was closed in 1956 as an economy
measure. 7th November 2010. (Jeff Vinter) |
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Above:
This narrow road bridge crossed the northern 'throat' of
Blandford Forum station, where the single line section to Templecombe
began. The building on the right with the tall chimneys is the former
station master's house. All the scene needs is a black and white cat.
7th November 2010. (Jeff Vinter) |
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Left: Little remains in
Blandford to show that a railway ever served the town, let
alone a major railway linking the Midlands with the south
coast. However, the street name Station Court is a give-away,
and this is where this short section of track can be found,
complete with check rails, which once led into the busy goods
yard. A token wagon wheel can be seen at the end of the rails,
on the left. 7th November 2010. (Jeff Vinter) |
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Right:
Although Blandford lost its railway in 1966, it has not
lost its Railway Hotel, nor have the owners succumbed to
the temptation to give it a cranky modern name. When one
looks out from the windows of the bar, shrubs and trees
growing on the stone clad station embankment opposite hide
all new developments from view, and one could almost think
that the railway was still there ... were it not for the
football match being broadcast on Sky Sports and the beer,
which is probably a lot better than it used to be in 1966!
7th November 2010. (Jeff Vinter) |
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Above:
I wonder, I wonder ... Although the railway has has been
purged substantially from Blandford (a process which was well under
way by 1975 when the site was a dusty wasteland with only the platforms
remaining), a lot of Victorian buildings survive in the station area.
What was this? Railway offices of some sort? Another railway pub?
The cream coloured band half way up the front elevation is a clue.
If anyone knows the answer – and we do not – please get
in touch using the online form on our Contact
page. 7th November 2010. (Jeff Vinter) Update: It
turns out that this building was indeed a pub, called 'The Railway
Inn'; it was situated across from the gates to the goods yard. Our
correspondent was able to confirm its former use from a small book
he purchased in the Blandford Museum. It looks to us like an old 'Strong
of Romsey' house. Readers of a certain age will remember this company's
trackside hoardings: 'You're approaching the Strong country', 'You're
in the Strong country', etc. (Phil Young)
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