The plaque which once stood to mark the joint boundary of the Great Western Railway and London & South West Railway on Portland is now back in its rightful place in Victoria Square.

Made of cast iron, it told passenger trains up until 1952 and freight trains until 1965 that they had reached the end of the line.

At a ceremony held on the spot of its reinstatement, William Macey spoke of how the railway lines had disappeared by the early 70s and with them the boundary marker.

He said: "It was later found among the brambles and was put on display in the guard house at the former HMS Osprey Helicopter Base and now it is good to see it again on the grass verges opposite the island's new police station where it used to be in the days of steam."

The event was attended by Court Leet representatives Bailiff Rowland Reynolds and Chief Constable Brian Otter, Bruce Voss and James Rowley from SWERDA, island historian Stuart Morris, railway historian Brian Jackson and Michael Pitman, the last station master at Victoria Square and Easton.

Mr Pitman had the honour of unveiling the Portland stone plinth on which the refurbished marker has been placed.

He recalled many incidents of his time as station master and he said: "Passengers stopped using the trains in favour of buses and freight business dropped off in favour of road haulage, particularly for stone, and now looking at this boundary marker certainly brings back pleasant memories of the days of steam."

Mr Voss remarked that SWERDA had great pleasure in hosting this event.

"It is good to see history being revived," said Mr Jackson, "Portland Railway deserves it."

But on the question of the railway coming back to the island, he said: "It could be great for the tourists but it just wouldn't be practical."

The plinth for the marker was funded by Court Leet.