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PHOTO
GALLERY GROUP 66
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Portland
Perambulations. The Gem Bridge (seen in Photo
Gallery 65) is not the only major bridge being replaced on a former
railway in 2012: in fact, new bridges form the main theme for the
year on the UK's rail trails. Another example of a much-needed bridge
being replaced is that over Newstead Road in the Weymouth conurbation,
just north of Rodwell. The absence of this bridge has impaired the
Rodwell Trail for years, but it's back now, and user levels on the
path are expected to increase significantly as a result. |
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Above:
The Rodwell Trail now occupies the former branch line from Melcombe
Regis (effectively Weymouth) to Portland between Westham and Wyke
Regis. The route is owned and managed by Weymouth and Portland Borough
Council, which in recent years has done much to improve the route.
A nice touch is the reproduction station signs installed on all
of the station platforms, which are (clockwise from top left) Westham
Halt, Rodwell, Sandsfoot Castle Halt and Wyke Regis Halt. 24th February
2012. (Jeff Vinter) |
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Above:
Just south of Westham Halt, W&PBC installed a new bridge
in the early months of 2012 to replace the original rail-over-road
bridge which was removed in 1987 as part of local road improvements.
The new bridge is substantially longer than the original thanks to
the edges of the embankments being graded back to improve visibility
along the road. This is the view from the south side, looking towards
Weymouth. 24th February 2012. (Jeff Vinter) |
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Above:
This view of the new bridge over Newstead Road, taken from the north
side looking towards Portland, gives a fair impression of the size
of the structure. There were tiomes when there was some doubt as to
whether this bridge would ever be built, especially when elaborate
decorative parapets in the design pushed the project's costs above
£1 million; but, in the end, the design was simplified and delivered
at a cost of £835,000. The bridge had been opened by the time
a group of Railway Ramblers visited on 17th March. 24th February 2012.
(Jeff Vinter) |
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Above:
Just south of Newstead Road bridge, the railway passed through
Rodwell Tunnel before reaching Rodwell station, which was an important
passing place on the line. As can be seen, the tunnel was receiving
some attention, although it was impossible to tell if this was to
do with roof repairs, re-pointing, or renewing the lighting. However,
it was a safe bet that the work was inspired by the forthcoming visit
of the Olympic Games to the area. 24th February 2012. (Jeff Vinter) |
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Above:
Rodwell station, looking north. The tunnel seen in the previous
picture can just be seen in the distance. The main station buildings
were on the southbound platform (right), while a small signal box
was situated on the northbound platform (left). 24th February 2012.
(Jeff Vinter) |
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Above:
Continuing south from Rodwell station, the railway passed
under this three-arched viaduct, which carries Rodwell Road over the
line. The A frames visible above the parapet contain an extension
which encases an attached pedestrian walkway. 24th February 2012.
(Jeff Vinter) |
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Above:
The Rodwell Trail can be followed as far as the south end
of Wyke Regis, after which the trackbed is owned by the Crown Estates
as it crosses the west end of Chesil Beach; public access is permitted
here as well. On arrival in Portland, railway ramblers are advised
to head for Castletown, where the first of two inclines on the former
Merchants Railway can be followed up to the plateau on the top of
the island. Many stone sleepers remain in place here, while the views
can be impressive – except on this occasion, when the island's
heights were cloaked in low cloud. 24th February 2012. (Jeff Vinter) |
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Above:
The second, upper incline on the Merchants Railway is short
but more impressive than the first thanks to the three fine stone
bridges which cross the trackbed, seen here on the left. We believe
that the fourth bridge, seen on the right, also owes its existence
to a tramway, but we need to trace a 10" map from about 1900
to be able to confirm this. What is certain is that the top of Portland
is laced with old tramways – a railway rambler's paradise. 24th
February 2012. (Jeff Vinter) |
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