A GHOST train is running out of Weymouth at dawn without any passengers.

Empty coaches not advertised in the timetable run non-stop as far as Wareham early on Saturdays where the train starts picking up passengers and forms a service to London Waterloo.

Passengers from Weymouth and Dorchester wanting to get to the capital early on a weekend have to catch the first advertised service which leaves more than an hour later than the ‘ghost train.’ The train has been running empty for the past year, leaving Weymouth at 5.42am.

Operator South West Trains has now decided to officially start the service from Weymouth on a trial basis – a move welcomed by transport campaigners.

There is concern though why a decision was ever taken to run an empty train in the first place.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council transport spokesman Chris-tine James said: “It seems to me that public transport providers have lost sight of what they are there for and are only concerned about the shareholders and making money.

“If there’s an early train running to London on a Saturday why can’t we get on it?

“It doesn’t make any sense that people have to get to Wareham to pick up this train.”

She added: “People want to make the most of their day in London and an early train from Weymouth would be most welcome.”

Rail campaigner Terry Putnam, of Up-wey, was made aware of the service he dub-bed the ‘ghost train’ when a friend inquired about getting to London as early as possible on a Saturday.

He discovered the first Wey-mouth-Water-loo departure is 6.55am, getting in at 9.49am. But a departure from Wareham 20 miles away leaving at 6.10am can get passengers to London by 8.49am.

Mr Putnam said his friend drove to Wareham to pick up the train, only to find out from the conductor on board that it had started from Weymouth, but ran empty.

Mr Putnam, a member of the Friends of Upwey Station, said “Weymouth has an excellent train service. Two trains an hour to the capital throughout the day and the first train on weekdays is the 5.55am.

“I’m delighted the earlier train is now in the timetable.”

Dorchester councillor and rail station based taxi driver Tim Harries said: “It does seem this was a lost opportunity for Dorchester passengers but I’m glad that common sense has prevailed.”

A spokesman for West and South Dorset Green Party said: “It is good that South West Trains are making more efficient use of their energy and other resources and offering residents of the Dorchester and Weymouth areas more rail travel options on Saturdays.”

martin.lea@dorsetecho.co.uk