Vital track replacement work in Thornford, Dorset, will mean that the Heart of Wessex Line between Castle Cary and Weymouth will be closed with buses replacing trains from Monday 23 September to Sunday 29 September.
During this time, Network Rail’s engineers will be replacing just under a mile’s worth of track, which is over 50 years old, north of Thornford. Passengers will benefit from smoother and more reliable journeys once this work is completed.
Engineers will also be making improvement works to the junctions either side of Maiden Newton station, where the two tracks merge into one.
A rail replacement bus service will be running between Weymouth and Castle Cary during this time. Fast buses will be running, calling at Yeovil Pen Mill and Dorchester West, while stopping buses will call at all stations. During the week, passengers connecting between Weymouth and Dorchester will be able to use South Western Railway (SWR) services to Dorchester South. SWR will also be accepting Great Western Railway (GWR) tickets where appropriate.
Additionally, on Sunday 22 September, engineering work is taking place between Dorchester West and Weymouth. A replacement bus service will run non-stop between Yeovil Pen Mill and Weymouth. Passengers travelling between Thornford, Yetminster, Chetnole and Maiden Newton are advised to use the replacement bus service that runs between Dorchester South and Weymouth, calling at Upwey. Passengers should then make their own way (approximately half a mile) between Dorchester South and Dorchester West stations to connect with the GWR service.
Mark Goodall, Network Rail’s Wessex route director, said: “The track we are replacing is over fifty years old and worn out, making it more prone to defects and faults. This essential engineering work will improve the railway between Weymouth and Castle Cary, allowing passengers to enjoy smoother and more reliable journeys.
“Longer single closures such as this one allows us to best manage our resources and complete a greater amount of work compared to working over multiple weekends, which is also more disruptive to passengers.
“We’re sorry to any passengers whose journeys are disrupted and thank them for their patience and understanding during this time.”
Jordan Welsby, GWR Station Manager for Westbury, Wiltshire and Dorset, said: “This improvement work forms part of an ongoing programme of maintenance, helping to ensure we can continue to provide consistent and reliable services. GWR will provide rail replacement services between Yeovil Pen Mill and Weymouth on Sunday 22 September, then between Castle Cary and Weymouth until Sunday 29 September. As an alternative, customers can also travel between Westbury and Weymouth using SWR services via Southampton Central from Monday 23 to Friday 27 September. However, please note that buses replace all trains via Southampton Central on the weekend of 28/29 September so this alternative would not be an option. It’s important customers understand these alternative arrangements will make their normal journey times much longer, so do please check before you travel.”
Old and new track north of Thornford station