This is a campaign to revamp the disused Weymouth Quay Tramway into a unique heritage railway and attraction.
The 1/2 mile Branch has been left disused for nearly 2 decades although the owners, Network Rail, haven’t officially closed it.
The Weymouth Harbour tramway also opened on 16 Oct 1865 running from a junction with the Portland branch through the streets adjacent to the Backwater and the harbour, to the quay. It was constructed to mixed gauge and jointly available to the LSWR and the GWR. However the LSWR was not involved directly with the day to day operation of the quay line and to all intents and purposes it was a GWR line. Initially the tramway handled only goods traffic and was worked by horses until 1880. In 1889 the GWR took over the ferry service, with the first passenger train running on 4 August 1889 when the tramway was extended to the new ferry terminal allowing travellers to reach the Channel Island ferries which operated from the Quay. The GWR remained the sole operator of the service until 1948.
Read more about the history on DisusedStations.org HERE!
Many heritage railways and locals are interested in and actively supporting the campaign.
The campaigners have had interviews with Dorset Echo, WessexFM, BBC South Today. Network Rail is interested in meeting up to discuss the plans to see how they can help to make this campaign a success.
Locomotives – these would be small tank engines or diesel. Either modified trucks or small coaches will be used to carry passengers. The trains will probably be of 1 engine. 3 passenger stock and 1 break van. The wagons will have wooden seats fitted in for a clear view out of the truck. They will start off being loaned by another heritage railway, until there is enough money to purchase one to be owned by the line.
Maintenance – maintaining the line will not be difficult, just an inspection walk along the line, then if any rails need replacing they can be removed and replaced. This would be no different than any normal roadworks.
Safety – safety is very important when around steam engines. Trains will be going slow. If someone falls onto the tracks then the train can easily stop within a short distance due to the low speed.
Parking – will not be affected since the parking spaces are placed around the railway lines (parking was there when the trains were running).
Traffic will not be bad if the trains run once every half hour.
The line is envisaged to be run like the Bristol Harbour Heritage Railway.
Read more about the track plan proposals HERE!
Check out their Website HERE!
Follow the Facebook page HERE!
Sign the petition HERE!
This is a campaign to revamp the disused Weymouth Quay Tramway into a unique heritage railway and attraction.
The 1/2 mile Branch has been left disused for nearly 2 decades although the owners, Network Rail, haven’t officially closed it.
The Weymouth Harbour tramway also opened on 16 Oct 1865 running from a junction with the Portland branch through the streets adjacent to the Backwater and the harbour, to the quay. It was constructed to mixed gauge and jointly available to the LSWR and the GWR. However the LSWR was not involved directly with the day to day operation of the quay line and to all intents and purposes it was a GWR line. Initially the tramway handled only goods traffic and was worked by horses until 1880. In 1889 the GWR took over the ferry service, with the first passenger train running on 4 August 1889 when the tramway was extended to the new ferry terminal allowing travellers to reach the Channel Island ferries which operated from the Quay. The GWR remained the sole operator of the service until 1948.
Read more about the history on DisusedStations.org HERE!
Many heritage railways and locals are interested in and actively supporting the campaign.
The campaigners have had interviews with Dorset Echo, WessexFM, BBC South Today. Network Rail is interested in meeting up to discuss the plans to see how they can help to make this campaign a success.
Locomotives – these would be small tank engines or diesel. Either modified trucks or small coaches will be used to carry passengers. The trains will probably be of 1 engine. 3 passenger stock and 1 break van. The wagons will have wooden seats fitted in for a clear view out of the truck. They will start off being loaned by another heritage railway, until there is enough money to purchase one to be owned by the line.
Maintenance – maintaining the line will not be difficult, just an inspection walk along the line, then if any rails need replacing they can be removed and replaced. This would be no different than any normal roadworks.
Safety – safety is very important when around steam engines. Trains will be going slow. If someone falls onto the tracks then the train can easily stop within a short distance due to the low speed.
Parking – will not be affected since the parking spaces are placed around the railway lines (parking was there when the trains were running).
Traffic will not be bad if the trains run once every half hour.
The line is envisaged to be run like the Bristol Harbour Heritage Railway.
Read more about the track plan proposals HERE!
Check out their Website HERE!
Follow the Facebook page HERE!
Sign the petition HERE!
