On 18 November the ‘Heart of Wessex’ line, which connects Weymouth with Bristol Temple Meads on the Great Western Railway (GWR) network, was closed as engineers installed brand new track and performed vital maintenance. Between Chetnole and Yetminster, where just under one mile of new track was needed, engineers used a New Track Construction train, which lays new rails and sleepers as it travels. In total, more than four miles of new sleepers, rails and ballast was installed from Maiden Newton to Yetminster. Some track in the area dated back to 1958.
At Upwey station, engineers used the country’s only Railvac to remove ballast supporting the track. The Railvac uses a high-powered vacuum to suck up large volumes of ballast, which through Upwey had become contaminated due to rainwater that had mixed with clay beneath.
The track was then lowered slightly to improve its level and ensure that trains can continue travelling at full speed through the area.
Train services returned to normal on 4 December.