railroad.wikisort.org - Station

Dorchester South railway station is one of two stations serving the town of Dorchester in Dorset, England, the other one being Dorchester West. The station is on the South West Main Line. It is 135 miles 70 chains (218.7 km) down the line from London Waterloo[note 1] and is situated between Moreton and Upwey. The station is managed by South Western Railway, who operate all trains serving it.

Dorchester South
Dorchester South railway station in July 2005
General information
Location	Dorchester, Dorset England
Coordinates	50.709°N 2.437°W / 50.709; -2.437
Grid reference	SY692900
Managed by	South Western Railway
Platforms	2
Other information
Station code	DCH
Classification	DfT category D
History
Original company	Southampton and Dorchester Railway
Pre-grouping	London and South Western Railway
Post-grouping	Southern Railway
Key dates
1 June 1847 (1847-06-01)	Terminus opened as Dorchester
1878	Westbound through platform opened
26 September 1949	Renamed Dorchester South
1970	Eastbound through platform opened
Passengers
2016/17	0.459 million
Interchange	682
2017/18	0.440 million
Interchange	555
2018/19	0.421 million
Interchange	415
2019/20	0.451 million
Interchange	384
2020/21	0.107 million
Interchange	111
Notes
Passenger statistics from the Office of Rail and Road

History

The station opened on 1 June 1847 when the Southampton and Dorchester Railway was completed.[1][2] The station was built as an east facing terminus with the intent of continuing the line westwards towards Exeter.[3] These plans were never realised, and instead another line was built from the terminus towards Weymouth. This joined with the Great Western Railway's line (now the Heart of Wessex Line) from Dorchester West and continued as a joint line to Weymouth.^{[citation needed]}

Originally named Dorchester, the station was renamed Dorchester South on 26 September 1949.[1] The station remained a terminus with trains from Bournemouth having to enter the station, reverse out back the way they came then reverse again and proceed to Weymouth. Trains from Weymouth had to pass the station, then reverse into it, and then back out.[3] This process often caused delays and brought criticism following an accident in 1877. As a result, a curved platform was provided for southbound trains; this was brought into use during 1878.[4] Eastbound trains still reversed into the original platform until 1970 when a platform was built on the curve. The buildings on the trackless original platform remained in use until 1989. As part of the modernisation work preparatory to electrification a new booking hall was built on the curved platform, replacing the building on the original platform which was then demolished.

Stationmasters

Motive power depot

The Southampton and Dorchester Railway constructed a motive power depot at the station in 1847 together with a coal stage and turntable. This closed in 1957 and was demolished soon afterwards.[13]

Modernisation

During late 2010/early 2011, CCTV monitor podiums were installed on platform 1 (similar to those used on the London Underground) so as to allow the guards of each London-bound train to have easier visuals of the platforms (because platform 1 has a tight curve, and makes it difficult to see the length of the platform whilst a train is in the vicinity of the station). New entrances have also been constructed from the southern end of platform 1 to the adjacent car park, as well as new waiting shelters built near the new entrance and on the site of the former brick hut on platform 2.

Services

The station is served by South Western Railway. Services originate from London Waterloo or Weymouth on the South West Main Line and are most commonly operated by Class 444 but are sometimes served by Class 450 electric multiple units during times of engineering work (i.e. when they are not required for use on lines near Portsmouth) or at peak times. The basic frequency is hourly on Monday - Friday and Sunday, twice-hourly on Saturday.[14]

A less frequent service is also available from the nearby Dorchester West station, which is served by Great Western Railway, with trains heading towards Westbury, Bristol Temple Meads and Gloucester.

Preceding station	National Rail			Following station
Moreton		South Western Railway London to Weymouth		Upwey

Notes

References

References

• Butt, R.V.J. (1995). The Directory of Railway Stations. Patrick Stephens Ltd. ISBN 1-85260-508-1.
• Hawkins, Chris; Reeve, George (1979). An Historical Survey of Southern Sheds. Headington: Oxford Publishing Co. ISBN 0-86093-020-3.
• J.H. Lucking (1968). Railways of Dorset. Railway Correspondence and Travel Society.
• Williams, R.A. (1968). The London & South Western Railway, volume 1: The Formative Years. Newton Abbot: David & Charles. ISBN 0-7153-4188-X.
• Williams, R.A. (1973). The London & South Western Railway, volume 2: Growth and Consolidation. Newton Abbot: David & Charles. ISBN 0-7153-5940-1.

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