Major improvement work on Weymouth rail line complete

Travellers have been thanked for their patience following the work which saw both rail lines from Weymouth closed at the same time and buses laid on in place of trains.

A section of the Heart of Wessex line which connects Weymouth with Bristol was shut for 16 days as new track was laid while the Waterloo route was closed for five days between Weymouth and Dorchester South to allow engineers to complete more than 30 jobs at eight different locations.

Weymouth station paving installation. Picture: Network Rail

Network Rail Wessex route director, Mark Killick said: “We’re so grateful to customers and people who living close to the railway for their patience over the last few weeks. Sixteen days is a long time to close the railway but we’ve delivered much better track, improved two stations and performed vital maintenance that will keep trains running on time. The alternative to this closure would have been many months of weekend disruption which would have affected many more journeys.

“The new track we’ve laid will last us many decades into the future and I’m confident that people will notice a difference this week as they enjoy travelling by train again.”

Welding new rails at Bradford Peverell. Picture: Network Rail

Between Chetnole and Yetminster on the Bristol line, where just under one mile of new track was needed, engineers used a New Track Construction train, which lays new rails and sleepers as it travels. In total, more than four miles of new sleepers, rails and ballast was installed from Maiden Newton to Yetminster. Some track in the area dated back to 1958.

At Upwey station, engineers used the country’s only Railvac train to remove ballast supporting the track. The Railvac uses a high-powered vacuum to suck up large volumes of ballast, which through Upwey had become contaminated due to rainwater that had mixed with clay beneath.

The track was then lowered slightly to improve its level and ensure that trains can continue travelling at full speed through the area.

Both Weymouth and Upwey stations also had new tactile paving installed on platforms to assist visually-impaired passengers, while Weymouth station was also cleaned and re-painted.

Christian Neill, SWR’s Customer Experience Director, said: “The work Network Rail completed will mean big improvements for our customers. Not just a more reliable and resilient service, but visible changes which usher in further upgrades to the passenger experience at Weymouth, with the new forecourt scheme planned for completion in May 2022."

All work was completed on time with trains running as normal from Saturday, December 4.