DMU Operations: Western Region
Maiden Mewton - Bridport
In the early days of DMUs on the 9 1/4 mile branch from Maiden Newton on the Westbury - Weymouth line GRC&W products (119s and 122s) were not uncommon but Bristol allocated Pressed Steel single cars (Class 121s) became the regular traction.
The branch closed in early May 1975 with the last trains running on Saturday 3rd.
Sample Timetables
15th June to 11th September, 1959
Cover only shown.
12th June to 10 September, 1961
Download (13 mb pdf) - see page 43. In the Passenger Services Western Region timetable it was Table 70 (0.4 mb pdf).
11th September 1961 to 17th June 1962
In the Passenger Services Western Region timetable it was Table 70 (0.5 mb pdf).
18th June to 9th September 1962
In the Passenger Services Western Region timetable it was Table 70 (0.4 mb pdf).
10th September, 1962 to 16th June, 1963
Cover only shown. In the Passenger Services Western Region timetable it was Table 70 (0.4 mb pdf).
17 June to 8 September 1963
In the Passenger Services Western Region timetable it was Table 70 (0.3 mb pdf).
9 September 1963 to 14 June 1964
In the Passenger Services Western Region timetable it was Table 70 (0.3 mb pdf).
15 June 1964 to 13 June 1965
In the Passenger Services Western Region timetable it was Table 62 (0.4 mb pdf).
18 April 1966 to 5 March 1967
In the Passenger Services Western Region timetable it was Table 36 (0.4 mb pdf).
Images
Unknown date
A Class 121 at Bradpole crossing, just outside Bridport. Undated. Steve Davies Collection.
Unknown date
A Class 121 at Bradpole crossing, just outside Bridport. Undated. Steve Davies Collection.
Unknown date
A Class 121 having just passed through Bradpole crossing, just outside Bridport. Undated. Steve Davies Collection.
August 1963
A 2-car Class 119 enters Bridport station in August 1963. Stuart Mackay Collection.
September 1965
A Pressed Steel single car DMU, thought to be W55032, in the Bridport platform at Maiden Newton station in September 1965. David Russon.
Unknown date
A Class 121 in blue with small yellow panels is seen at Bridport. Date unknown. Steve Davies Collection.
Unknown date
A Class 121 in blue with small yellow panels is seen at Toller. Steve Davies Collection.
Unknown date
A Class 121 in rail blue with small yellow panels, at Bridport. Steve Davies Collection.
7th August 1968
A derailed Gloucester single car at Maiden Newton on 7 August 1968, image one of three. Bristol only had one of these vehicles allocated on this date, so this is thought to be W55001. Stuart Mackay Collection.
7th August 1968
A derailed Gloucester single car, thought to be W55001, at Maiden Newton on 7 August 1968, image two of three. The closest end seems to have derailed on the catch point, the far end seems to still be on the line. Stuart Mackay Collection.
7th August 1968
A derailed Gloucester single car, thought to be W55001, at Maiden Newton on 7 August 1968, image three of three. Bubble cars would normally be used on the branch from Maiden Newton to Bridport, the line to the right, which seems to have some trackwork underway, and the main line north of the station has now been singled. Stuart Mackay Collection.
2nd July 1969
Pressed Steel single car W55028 is seen at Bridport with the 16:14 (SX) service to Maiden Newton on 2 July 1969. Robert Thomas.
1st October 1969
A Class 121 bubble car waits to pass through Bradpole crossing on the Bridport branch, 1st October 1969. Steve Davies Collection.
1st October 1969
A Class 121 bubble car passing through Bradpole crossing on the Bridport branch, 1st October 1969. Steve Davies Collection.
1st October 1969
A Class 121 bubble car having just passed through Bradpole crossing on the Bridport branch, 1st October 1969. Steve Davies Collection.
October 1969
A Pressed Steel 121 at Powerstock on the Bridport branch. October 1969. Steve Davies Collection.
October 1969
A Class 121 seen at Powerstock on the Bridport branch in October 1969. Steve Davies Collection.
October 1969
A Class 121 in Powerstock station on the Bridport branch in October 1969. Steve Davies Collection.
October 1969
A Class 121 on the Bridport branch at Powerstock in October 1969. Steve Davies Collection.
Unknown date
55033 at Bridport. Date unknown. Steve Davies Collection.