Desiro class 444 unit 444044 passes the site of Upwey Wishing Well halt on the climb of Upwey Bank at 1 in 50 with 1W24 1503 Weymouth to Waterloo. It is passing through Bincombe No2 tunnel.
Bincombe No 2 tunnel is just 48 yards long and passes below what was the main road between Weymouth and Dorchester, but no longer.
Looking through No 2 tunnel as 444044 is about to enter Bincombe No 1 tunnel.
The southern portal is massive but I do not think the bore retains this huge size throughout, it has been a few years since I last went through.
A down service formed by 444005 clears the 819 yard long tunnel and will quickly pass through the 48 yard long short tunnel.
444005 drops down the steep 1 in 50 gradient passing milepost 165 1/4 from London.......... check
Something different as GWR liveried class 166 Networker Turbo Express unit 166216 growls past. The platforms of Upwey Wishing Well halt stood either side of the line here. Now it is used for dumping rubbish. This working is 2E26 1508 off Weymouth for Cam and Dursley near Stroud in Gloucestershire.
Another up trains passes by with 444011 forming 1W66 1528 Weymouth to Waterloo. These views were taken from the top of the steps which gave access to Wishing Well halt, now used by NR staff to access there track.
Moving now to above No 2 tunnel on the old road now a cycle path after the road was diverted over the hill above the railway. 444030 exits the 819 yard long Bincombe North or No 1 tunnel with 1W67 1305 Waterloo to Weymouth.
The sheer size of the cutting that was dug by hand using pick and shovel and wheel barrow is apparent in this view. The cutting side on the left has slipped at some point in the past and sensors are place to monitor any further movement.
Crossing the now closed road to get the going away shot and 444030 passes through the site of Wishing Well halt. It was opened by the GWR on 28th May 1905 an closed on 7th January 1957, it had two platforms with pagoda shelters. The platforms lived on for another 31 years and were removed when the line to Weymouth was finally electrified in 1988.
On the serious climb is 444005 a few miles into its journey to London with 1W26 1603 off Weymouth to Waterloo. The Great Western Railway was the first to reach Weymouth in 1857 via Castle Cary and Yeovil Pen Mill. The London and South Western Rail later made a junction with the GWR at Dorchester.
Long gone are the Bulleid pacifics, Great Western Halls, push pull class 33/1 and 4TC sets, also gone are the class 442 5WES units and now Desiro class 444 units ply the Weymouth road.
The inky blackness of Bincombe No 1 tunnel, reputed to be haunted, shallows up 444005. The summit of the climb is just beyond the north portal.
A move down the line to Upwey station, the first out of Weymouth. 444030 runs in with 1W68 1620 Weymouth to Waterloo.
Station work complete and the set departs. The station is on a rising 1 in 74 gradient in the up direction which stiffens to 1 in 50 at the end of the platform.
444019 runs into Upwey with 1W69 1405 off London Waterloo to Weymouth.
The set clears the station for the short run to Weymouth. Upwey was a junction station with the Abbotsbury branch coming off here and running behind the up platform. The branch opened on 19th April 1866 and closed in 1952 with a short stub to Upwey Goods staying open to 1962.
Moving back to the north end of the station and GWR sprinter 158951 drops downgrade slowing for its station stop with 2O90 1304 Worcester Foregate Street to Weymouth. This working should have started at Great Malvern at 1251 but was cancelled between there and Worcester Foregate Street.
As the set slows for its stop, 444033 runs through non stop with 1W28 1703 Weymouth to Waterloo.
The guard of the GWR service stands and watches for passengers. The GWR style running in board stands proud on the down platform.
One last train to be seen and photographed and 444015 passes the running board with a South Western Railway service 1W29 1435 Waterloo to Weymouth.
The service is not booked to stop here and passes through at speed. A good few hours was had.
