Description

The demolition in 2020 of the lines through Weymouth spelt the final end of a tramway first opened in 1865. This DVD examines the history of the quay line and its operations from the GWR/LSWR days onwards. Starting as a way of distributing goods from the port, new passenger ferry services from the Channel Islands saw the addition of passenger traffic. Superb little-known local history.

Full description from the producer:

The demolition in the autumn of 2020 of the lines through Weymouth spelt the final end of a tramway first opened in 1865. Never again will passenger and goods trains run from the main station area to the quay to meet the ships which plied to and from the Channel Islands.
This programme examines the history of the quay line and its operations by firstly the Great Western Railway jointly with the London and South Western and then the Southern followed by British Railways and finally train operating companies under Railtrack until the final special train in 1999.
The building of the quay line was incorporated as part of the construction of the branch line to Portland in the 1860s. With increasing commercial trade appearing at Weymouth’s sea port, the local authorities combined with the railway promoters of the day agreed to create a faster way of transporting goods in and out of the harbour area for despatch to other parts of Britain.
With new passenger ferry services from the Channel Islands becoming more popular, the addition of passenger traffic to the quay line commenced. Regular services would continue until the start of electrification of the main Bournemouth to Weymouth which then made it unviable due to the mix of traction required. Goods services to the quay had already halted in 1972 with the exception of oil tank trains for the ferries. Pathfinder Tours sent the very last train in the form of a charter through to the pier in May 1999 and following that, the tracks were still in place in the streets of Weymouth until demolition in the autumn of 2020.

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