The Rodwell Trail
2nd August 2008
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The Rodwell trail, opened in 2000, gives access to a stretch of the former Weymouth and Portland Railway. Thanks to the efforts of the 'friends', a pleasant and educational stroll can be taken from Weymouth onto the island of Portland.
The Rodwell trail follows the line of the Weymouth and Portland Railway for two and a quarter miles between the Ferrybridge and Abbotsbury Road, Weymouth. The trail was formally opened in 2000 and is is enhanced by an active 'friends of' group.
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 Starting The Rodwell Trail at the Ferrybridge, easily reached by buses on routes 1 or 501, views across Portland Harbour can be had. Perhaps not as interesting as when the Naval base was active!
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 The Rodwell Trail looking towards Wyke Regis Halt. The route is very popular with cyclists and dog walkers, so the normal hazards of dog pooh and inconsiderate cyclists abound!
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In 1891 Robert Whitehead, the inventor of the deadly underwater torpedo, built his Whitehead Torpedo Manufactury at Ferrybridge. The factory was demolished in 1997 to make way for housing. This shot shows the underwater tracks used for torpedo test launching.
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 In 1862 the new Weymouth and Portland Railway Company announced plans for a public railway to Portland. Progress was rapid, and by May 1863 piles were being driven for a viaduct across Smallmouth, parallel to the road bridge. The first train journey to the Island took place on the 25th May 1864, and the first scheduled service was on 9th October 1865. By 1950 the passenger trains to Portland were losing money, as more and more people preferred to use the bus service. The decision was eventually taken to end passenger trains to Portland. The last passenger train ran across Ferrybridge on the 1st March 1952, although goods trains ran on for another 13 years. Part of the route of the old railway now forms 'The Rodwell Trail'.
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 the remains of Wyke Regis Halt. The platform was reconstructed in 1946 after originally opening in 1909.
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Wyke Regis Halt was built primarily to serve the Whitehead torpredo factory.
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 Around Wyke Regis, the Rodwell trail actually follows the route of an adjacent military road rather than the railway trackbed.
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 There are plenty of wild flowers to admire along the Rodwell Trail
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the ruins of Sandsfoot Castle. The castle was completed in 1539 to guard the sea lanes between Wymouth and Portland. Some of the stone possibly came from Bindon Abbey, near Wool, following Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries earlier in the year. The remains are now unsafe due to erosion by the sea.
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 View from the Rodwell Trail over Sandsfoot Bay. The Weymouth and Portland Railway was jointly operated by the GWR and LSWR
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 Sandsfoot Bay with the ruined Tudor castle and Portland Harbour breakwater in the background.
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Remains of Sandsfoot Castle Halt on the Rodwell Trail. The trail can easily be walked in about an hour and refreshments may be found just off the trail here. Opened in July 1909, it was part of a scheme that saw several halts opened on the GWR and other railways to counter road competition. Services were provided by Railmotors until closure of the line to passenger services in 1952.
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 Road overbridge near Rodwell
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 Rodwell Station, August 2008. Originally opened in June 1870 with a single platform, a passing loop was later added. The main station buildings at Rodwell were destroyed by bombing on 15th April 1941
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Brick built platform at the long closed Rodwell station on the Weymouth and Portland line. The track was removed from this location in 1970.
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 Looking towards the 58 yard long Rodwell tunnel
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 Formation of the old Weymouth and Portland railway - the bridge over Newstead Road being removed many years ago. Lottery funding is being sought to provide a bridge at this location.
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Westham Halt in 2008 - the former Weymouth and Prtland trackbed is lost from this halt towards Melcombe Regis and Weymouth.
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© 1998-2009 Dennis Lance - All copyrights rest with the Author
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