The Isle of Portlands Railways - A Short History.

[@pwhitewick]

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[@philbraithwaite1316]

I walked that back in the early 70s as a kid. It also offered a nice view of the pitch of Weymouth FC back in the day. I also remember the trains trundling down to the Quay station.

[@mkendallpk4321]

This was totally fascinating. A tramway using stone guides and it lasted longer than most of the steel railways. Wow!

[@johnnew3096]

Except they weren't stone guides but stone sleeper blocks to hold bog standard iron edge rail.

[@gavinfry6612]

The track out of Easton used to run through a cutting as it turned onto the side of the island, however when the railway was removed the cutting was completely infilled by the quarry so road vehicles could moved about. This cutting used to have a famous photography bridge location on it.

[@pwhitewick]

Ah yes. We had a look for that spot and filmed it, but at 17 minutes sadly it got left on the cutting room floor

[@TheWokingmike]

@@pwhitewick The KZbin algorithm being what it is I bet everyone that watch this one has had this video recommended now - kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHfCeHx9q7WBfrs - but just in case your algorithm is different to mine!

[@johnjephcote7636]

I seem to remember that the railway track in a cutting ended at a vertical rock face. I don't think that buffer stops were necessary. The line was obviously intended to go further. That was mid 1960s.

[@johnnew3096]

@@johnjephcote7636 If it is the section that went north beyond the station it went as far as some exchange sidings. The other long term abandoned section was part of the original scheme to build a dock at Church Ope Cove. They went down to meet the Admiralty line at Casteltown instead. That is mentioned in the commentary.

[@tonybrook7768]

Some of the inhabitants of Portland never set foot off the island. They pride themselves on being weird. Certain pubs only serve locals. I thank Paul and Rebecca for exploring the tramway lines, many parts I couldn't navigate on my mountain bike. Spectacular views.

[@Mrtallguy76]

I’ve worked with a few who ventured as far as Weymouth - and they wouldn’t ever say the word “rabbit” instead referring to “bunnies” or “underground mutton”.

[@michaelmiller641]

How fascinating! And that incline with the grooved stones and multiple arches! Wow! Thanks for that!

[@darrenmurray861]

Portland is just beautiful. Rugged and worn out but so beautiful. I spend so many summers, as a teenager, helping out with a children's camp at Ringstead Bay. One of our favourite trips used to be up to the island to walk around the Bill and endless playtime at the Verne High Angle Battery. I have taken my young family there a couple of times and along with the Isle of Wight I can see that we shall spend many summer holidays around Weymouth and Portland.

[@HenrysAdventures]

Interesting video! I remember walking some of those old tramways as a child when we went on holiday to Portland.

[@kitkatv3]

Like the zoom out from the map at each stage. Keeps it nice and easy to follow. Thanks for creating, and sharing with us.

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Retro. Thought it looked quite funky, so gave it a try

[@davidberlanny3308]

That's a fantastic photo of the incline with all those bridges, well worth the walk!! Good place for fossils as well happy memories of finding a Titanite there. Good luck from Spain!!

[@trevorenever265]

Whenever I'm in Dorset, Portland Bill is my go-to place on a stormy day. Maybe I should go back on a fine day and enjoy some of those walks. Thanks for the video. I'm now inspired to go exploring down there.

[@leroyholm9075]

King Barrow quarry system, parts are readily accessible through an extinct railway tunnel under the road from Tout, well worth a visit. The area on the south east side is still being worked.

[@leroyholm9075]

Dear Paul & Rebecca We have friends in Dorchester that also have an amazing sea front flat at Overcombe. We have taken the opportunity of its out of season use to conduct a five year exploration of the railway systems of Portland. Your programme was a good glimpse, the system is much bigger than at first view. The amazing quarry complex at Tout & King Barrow are open to public access & worth a video on their own. Warning the side of Tout quarry has suffered severe landslides destroying the coastal path.

[@danarkle5053]

Extra interest - at 9'30 you are passing a climbing area called 'The Cuttings' which is the most popular on the Island. Lots of old railways and quarrying provide us climbers with popular spots to play.

[@claire76leach]

I’ve just discovered your channel. I live east of Brighton. Never get bored of the sea. Gorgeous video am going to the isle of Portland this summer. Looks like a beautiful area. Thank you for your interesting video.

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Claire. Welcome to the channel.

[@danehardinge8801]

my first ever P&RW video apart from Martin Zero and you in the Haddon Hall Tunnel with Martin Zero. Very fast paced,I had to pause a few times to see the names of old stations etc. Thank you

[@chrisamies2141]

Spent a week on Portland in 2017 (staying near Church Ope Cove) and walked along East Weare (where people were climbing). I knew there was a railway line along there and that the stone pillars 'connected' to the cliff previously ... never knew about the tram incline though or I would have gone there as well! Very much enjoyed your video.

[@truebrit3578]

Sandsfoot Castle, brought back memories of a childhood summer holiday and finding the old railway on the way to the beach. I guess its because of the Naval use but I find it interesting, that with the views Portland has not been more developed over the years.

[@diogenesegarden5152]

Sssh😉

[@mattphillips9107]

In its day Portland was one of the wealthiest places in the UK. St Paul's cathedral and many other famous buildings are built from the stone quarried here. Just love this place apart from the Portland race which is just offshore from the bill of Portland! One of the scariest places I've ever had the displeasure of experiencing. Great work guys 👏

[@andrewince8824]

Amen on the Races. Absolutely vile trying to get a vessel through them and every moment expecting something bad to happen.

[@johnledingham852]

Thoroughly enjoyed this video, and the physical effort you both put into its production. I live in Queensland, north east Australia, and I love the history that is captured and aired of railways in Britain. It is the birthplace of this wonderful mode of transport that has embraced the world. Your enthusiasm is captivating, and I look forward to many more of your projects. Take care now, keep safe and well!

[@drdoolittle5724]

Lord Portland, Portland stone, Portland Square, Portland Estates, there's money in them there hills! Thank you Guys for showing us 'The Bill', same as you, retro memories galore!!!

[@UsualmikeTelevision]

Such a beautiful part of your country. Great Video Paul and Rebecca!

[@davidsheriff8989]

My favourite place is Weymouth and Portland ...what an adventure you had..great to see it all again..

[@WightWanderer]

You'll have to visit the Isle of Wight one day. We walked all the old lines as part of a series, the island has a very interesting railway history as I'm sure you know. Great stuff guys ❤️

[@leroyholm9075]

Dear both. The quarry system was also served by a direct incline into the BR system joining with the point of the Portland line at the Junction with the Docks system and Stone block marshalling sidings MOD unaccesible from the North side of Portland. The top part of this is public accessible and takes some finding. It is in the region of Grove Road - Incline Road and the Railway Loco Depot and incline system is still intact!

[@RobertSmith-zv1xo]

Can't imagine how much work it takes to research and to find it all once you are there, so thank you that we can enjoy it!

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks for noticing Robert. Yup, takes some time that's for sure.

[@RobertSmith-zv1xo]

@@pwhitewick Don't envy you and more importantly as long as you are enjoying it.

[@shirleylynch7529]

You are so enthusiastic Paul. You draw us in and we are there on the explore with you. That was amazing and filmed on a glorious day. Thank you both so much . Really appreciated.

[@andrewfanner2245]

Fascinating place Portland and one had so many railways too. Thanks for sharing.

[@leroyholm9075]

The Portland Easton Station terminated under the road bridge at the north end under the road over bridge it had a siding leading off to the left. When you left the station area at 17.00 on the right was a no longer visible branch. This led to the top of a cove an unsuccesful attempt to shorten the distance for unloading stone.

[@dsj672]

I wIsh I seen this before speding a week on the island a few years ago. I knew there had been railways in the area, but didn't really know where to look. I watched your video with the NLS georeferenced 1888-1913 map open on another window which added considerably to the narrative. Thanks for doing the legwork onthis and your other fascinating videos.

[@christinecrockford1654]

I live not too far from bridport over looking the sea, but portland my fav place for views. They used the full carts going down, to pull up the empty carts.

[@santorini8423]

Brought back a lot of childhood memories, used to go to Weymouth every year, staying in Littlesea holiday park, which backed onto the lagoon the other side of Chesil Beach, next to an MOD firing range. The Rodway trail is a good day out when the weathers nice. Good work people

[@invisiblewizard2538]

Lots of family history around Portland, so this was a real treat! Thanks!

[@fishbert17]

Never explored Portland, but this video has inspired me to take a look!

[@richardhands1380]

I can remember walking some of those places back in the sixties and being up on the Verne watching the Navy helicopters training at the base below. I can remember seeing tankers on the rails bringing fuel to the twenty odd fuel tanks along there, sadly all gone and only the coastguard helicopter there now. The car park where you left Rebecca originally had no fence and it terrified my mum that dad would park to near the edge. Sad that the boat trains have gone, was a unique experience watch it navigate the traffic

[@malbecmikegrey996]

Sorry, Richard - the Coastguard helicopter is gone too. Emergencies are now responded to from St Mawgam (Newquay), St Athan (S Wales) or a base near Gosport (name escapes me). As you can imagine, this adds to response time, leaving a busy boating area very exposed. I live in Weymouth, and the local rag often reports on these long-distance rescues, which the Cameron government tried to assure everyone would not be a problem. I wonder if the savings come anywhere near matching the extra costs.

[@sr6424]

My memories of the line. In the mid 1970s I went on a family camping holiday to Portland. The old track was still in place. Heavily rusted and obviously not in use. I think it as removed soon after our visit!

[@lukesdad5218]

Same here. Blue Waters caravan park at Wyke Regis in August 1970. We did check that it was OOU before venturing on it though!

[@Mrtallguy76]

Used to enjoy riding the Rodway trail and then climbing up onto Portland before heading to the Bill for a cake stop when I lived in Weymouth.

[@nilo70]

Wonderful episode Whitewicks ! Thank you for taking me along with you on this one . Cheers from California !

[@pwhitewick]

Many thanks!

[@andrewince8824]

Totally doing a ride out from Weymouth to Portland along the old line. I've been in the area often but never knew of that route. Next time you're in Weymouth, treat yourself to a meal at The Marlborough restaurant right next to the town bridge. Best fish & chips in the town.

[@PlainAnne]

I went to Weymouth College in the mid 80s and to reach each section of the college we used to walk along the old railway..then it was grown over, there was still some foundations and rubble of the railway bridge that use to span westham, along the line the remains of WW2 gun turrets were seen..Rodwell station was completely overgrown and walking under the bridge before the station was always spooky..it’s strange to think that Rodwell station was at one time the most beautifully kept station.

[@m3hnl]

thank you guys a very informative vid portland stone was used to build some awesome structures too

[@leroyholm9075]

Dear both. Indespensable to your research of the huge railway complex at Portland are: ISLE OF PORTLAND RAILWAYS volume One & Two by B.L. Jackson The Oakwood Press

[@landcrab75]

Portland has lots of hidden gems. You can still see parts of Mulberry Harbour that was used in WW2 to support troops landing on the French coast. Tout Quarry has 60 carvings and sculptures including one by Anthony Gormley

[@Tomm9y]

A similar stone paved route route was used from 1817 near Dublin, Ireland. Granite from a quarry at Dalkey and Killiney was used to build two huge mile long piers at Dunlaoghaire (Dunleary) to provide a refuge for ships in Dublin Bay. Horses were used and gravity too to move huge blocks of stone, (8 tons) on rails. Beautiful scenery and views, when the weather is good, try June.

[@steverpcb]

When you had finished for the day, you should have gone for a meal at the Crab House Cafe, the oysters are grown in the Fleet just in front on the cafe and all the other seafood is caught localy :)

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks for the tips!

[@ianjackson6751]

We love portland stayed at the heights and have walked the Rodwell trail good video both ..

[@HD-dz4uk]

Really enjoyed this one, we were there in 20 20 and walked most of the tracks you were on. I've been cutting stone for 30 + years and always wanted to visit. Great place for a rock solid break and that tramway is great to look down. Keep up the good work. 👍.

[@michaelcampin1464]

Thank you . I've walked to Portland Bill many times

[@davie941]

very interesting video again paul and rebecca , thank you so much guys and well done 😊

[@pauljones1350]

There’s a nice day in a nice place you had there my friends.your knowledge of the railway outstanding and dedication commendable.

[@bobsrailrelics]

I love that incline with the bridges. Really atmospheric. Thanks for that, so much packed into one video.

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Bob. Enjoyed making this.

[@christinecrockford1654]

Rodwell trial. I love Portland also the fleet on Chesil beach the inner water is fresh water and not salt. I live in a village just outside Bridport.

[@Lochnivar]

I bet the incline took the wind out of your sails. They used that for running Quarry stone down to the harbour in Castletown.

[@paulinehedges5088]

Lovely scenery and really interesting facts. Thank you both as always

[@kevodowd5282]

Video shared to Weymouth and Portland Face Book sites, a couple of small errors but you're excused. Thank you.

[@ValeriePallaoro]

I almost had a conniption though, at 6:24, I go 'oh god, look at that lovely stone work!' with what is clearly a system to get wee trucks up and down the hill AND THEN I'm struggling, waiting, for more information. Even mouthing under my breath - hope he don't forget, hope he don't forget ... till, finally, at 12:59 theres the explanation. I tell you, those were the longest 6 minutes ... I'm laughing now though. However, there's lots going on here, geologically, it's quarry that is limestone but the beach stones look harder than that and the wall at 8:50 is sandstone. If that's original stone, there's lots going on on the tiny island. So, I'm off for a wee google to assuage my interests. 7:45 you're such a funny bugger, Paul. *gleeful chuckles ensue*

[@brianartillery]

The interesting thing about Chesil Beach is that, as you head further west, the size of the pebbles decrease. I've swum off Portland, and the water was crystal clear. A lovely, strange place.

[@santorini8423]

I used to go there as a kid, had some weird cousins who lived there, wasn’t the currents dangerous off Chesil Beach?

[@brianartillery]

@@santorini8423 - I believe that there were 'rips' along there. It was extremely deep in places, too.

[@drdoolittle5724]

@@brianartillery definitely 'rips', so strong a photo looking at setting sun on horizon is marked with a dark line approx 25m wide running E to W and 'no sun' showing at all!

[@Rail_Focus]

Have you visited or plan to visit the Wirral Country Park? Still some of existing railway infrastructure visible, including a preserved station.

[@lindamccaughey6669]

Wow that was really good. What a gorgeous area that was. I actually live quite close to the beach. Thanks for the history that was really fascinating. So good they worried for the horses. Thanks for taking me along. Please stay safe and take care

[@johnstart6459]

Like the Bridport Railway,went on the last train May 5 1975 i think.Also went to Okehampton last day june 1972.Token for Crediton to Okehampton was marked OKHAMPTON.

[@ianhudson2193]

The tarmac Road you walked down near Saunsersfoot is not the railway route. The railway eas next door as the road was built in the 1940s as an alternative route to the fleet bridge and Chesil beach for vehicles preparing for D Day......the concrete parking stands they were stored and marshalled on are still to be seen alongside the Portland Road on Chesil Beach and the "Hards" from which they loaded onto LCTs bound for Normandy are still visible alongside Portland Castle

[@michaelalexander2306]

Thanks for that, I saw my sister's house! Nice to see from the Canaries.

[@tangletwigsfairymeadow6243]

Just like to say thank you for your wonderful relaxing videos. SideBySide map site was a revelation for me and I have spent a lot of time virtually wandering around here, I live very close to the Birmingham Canal/Stafford Road Works area with its turntable, and literally 10 minutes walk away from the site of Wednesfield Heath station, the first station to serve Wolverhampton! So much stuff on the 25 mile maps to look at, may you long continue. Once my benefits settle down I will definitely join your Patreon campaign too. Twigs.

[@phillunn4691]

Absolutely brilliant video again guys! Really interesting about the railway near Portland Another great and informative video Paul and Rebecca!

[@rogermorris6957]

Thanks Guys brought back memories of a walk a few years back

[@brettpalfrey4665]

Thanks, you two! another informative video...well done...

[@bullettube9863]

Amazing walk! A tramway using horses was not always profitable as horses need as much upkeep as steam locos do. Horses need feed, hay, straw and water and shelter from bad weather, plus a blacksmith for shoes and wagon repairs. But steep inclines are really hard on steam locos so a balanced tramway would have worked out well for the quarry owners. You can see the proof of the profits by the elaborate bridges that the owners could afford to build. Of course it helps if the owners also own a stone quarry and have expert stone masons on hand to build the bridges!

[@robinjones6999]

More great fascinating and educational content. I think, all the old government buildings in Whitehall are faced in Portland stone - have a gander when you are next in Londinium

[@handyandy6050]

Correct! Portland stone was used in the construction of many London buildings, including Buckingham Palace, the British Museum, the Foreign Office, the Cenotaph and St Paul’s Cathedral. The Centrepoint building was made from precast segments, consisting of a concrete mix containing crushed Portland stone. The segments were made on Portland and transported to London.

[@robinjones6999]

@@handyandy6050 Thanks for the detail

[@rogercmerriman]

Looks a fascinating place, I visited for work many years ago!

[@pwhitewick]

The sun definitely helped.

[@jsimmo52]

Thanks Paul and Rebecca - a lovely film! We went to Portland for a day when snatching a short break in Dorset between lockdowns in 2020. I was also fascinated by the evidence of railways on maps and on the ground. So, when we got home, I GOOGLED "Railways on the Isle of Portland" and came across a series of 3 books about them. They are written by B.L. Jackson and are very detailed. They are published by Ookwood Press - numbers 106 A/B/C in their "Library of Railway History". You may already be aware, but, if not, go buy! P.S. Have also installed POUCH - thanks for the tip!

[@marcdebruin2425]

Fascinating little island!

[@Hairnicks]

Beautiful weather for an amazingly interesting story and an area I know little about, thanks for the adventure, you had better weather than Martin this week!! Have signed up for pouch. Thanks.

[@thebagfather4633]

love Weymouth always went there when i was a kid great job .well done

[@pugsandportals326]

Really interesting video Paul. Thank you

[@Bicyclehub]

Superb camerawork and editing. You told the story very well and the I really felt like I was exploring with you. It reminded me of climbing there in the 1990's. We explored the quarries on a very hot summer's day.

[@StuartMorris7]

A nice lively documentary. Please note that the 1826 Merchants Railway closed in 1939, so it did not outlive the passenger railway.

[@pwhitewick]

Ah that's a shame. I wonder where I got the other date from!

[@kathrynwilliams669]

Summers is slowly starting to disappear here especially at night. So it should start warming up soon

[@MrLargePig]

Certainly one of your most picturesque destinations!

[@RichardFelstead1949]

Thanks Rebecca and Paul again for another very interesting video.

[@pwhitewick]

Our pleasure!

[@paulus842000]

I remember chesil Beach and some of it was fenced off because there were landmines left over from the war.

[@forkliftofzen5318]

Satellite image position for the stone tramway is 53.33.28 N, 02.26.05 W and its original path can be followed all the way to the bay ending at the Osprey Leasure Centre.

[@hoagy_ytfc]

This line (the "main" line to Easton) would've made an awesome heritage railway - what a tourist attraction that would have been.

[@hoagy_ytfc]

PS Very minor thing, but I'm sure Wyke rhymes with pike rather than pick 2:26

[@Nick-wm5xx]

My grandad worked here at Portland.He was a lad porter. He had to ride his bike along Acheson beach to get to work from Upwey. His dad was a signalman at Weymouth and his dads wife was the longest serving ladies lavatory assistant until the 1970’s. William and Louisa Didcock. If anyone reading this has photos or newspaper cutting or links, I would really appreciate it. I haven’t found anything myself yet.

[@alexcharlesworth7580]

A fascinating video. Relatively close to me so may have to explore it some more. Sad that they closed it when you imagine what a beautiful heritage line it could have been.

[@malcolmdalrymple1779]

You two always come up with something interesting. Thanks.

[@MichaelSebastianTodd]

i really enjoyed this one awesome work

[@ianprince1698]

had you looked at the Marsden Rattler ran from south shields to Marsden coal mine ran a train with old rolling stock for the pit workers, interesting as the first train to be nationalised by a week as became owned by the national coal board as they had taken over the pits, there are bits and pieces still visible

[@briancjohnson]

11:04 - The moment we viewers have to decide if Rebecca was, in fact, tossed over the cliff.

[@jeroenschuurhof7336]

Paul, you were very close to the Verne High Angle Battery. They have rails there, you know?

[@pwhitewick]

Haha... yes, someone pointed this at soon after our visit. I think we missed a lot due to time constraints.

[@jgodfrey546]

Fascinating, as ever. Q: why the stone Olympic rings at 11:40? Couldn't make out the carving at their base...

[@handyandy6050]

The area hosted the sailing events for the 2012 Olympics. Also Portland is home to the National Sailing Academy.

[@ClarkEmbree]

The carving says "Weymouth, Portland & Dorset host venue for the London 2012 Olympic Games sailing events 29 July to 11 August 2012"

[@jgodfrey546]

@@handyandy6050 Thanks!

[@jgodfrey546]

@@ClarkEmbree Thanks!

[@ValeriePallaoro]

@@ClarkEmbree Good catch ...

[@T-bit]

My great grandad was head honcho of the old Portland railway company (one with stone sleepers) 👍🏼👍🏼

[@pwhitewick]

Brilliant, love to hear any accounts if you have them.

[@michaelcampin1464]

Don't forget that the RN had an airbase on Isle of Portland and also a borstal. And a separate branch was in the sea

[@Dave5843-d9m]

Those steel stencil sculptures look very similar to those on the cycleways in Newton Abbot. (original home of Brunel's southern engineering works).

[@thehermit407]

Current EDS completion estimate: 21/04/2071. That's 4 months added to the estimate following EDS 43, the "Gosport's Abandoned Railway Walk" video.

[@pwhitewick]

Ok.... so that was 7 stations ish?... did I get the numbers right

[@thehermit407]

@@pwhitewick You did indeed ;-)

[@pwhitewick]

@@thehermit407 phew. Back on.... track.

[@Sim0nTrains]

Pouch build Stations, Tunnels and Viaducts.... I never knew that lol But with jokes aside it a brilliant video and the news at the top are amazing as well.

[@newbeginnings8566]

video quality just excellent

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Mark

[@gaugeonesteam]

I think it's pronounced "Wike" as in Wyke. I've walked this line a few times and explored Portland's other railways. big gradient from Weymouth to Rodwell. amazing the steam locos got up that, Chesil not Chisel beach too. Anyway, great video. Don't go swimming at "Church Ope Cove" people have never been seen again off there as recently as 2020. (Purbeck mineral railways quite interesting too if you get time).

[@pwhitewick]

Rip tides and such??

[@gaugeonesteam]

@@pwhitewick Yes, I was in Portland 2 years ago and some 18 year old guy just disappeared whilst swimming off Church Ope cove. They sent the helicopter up to look for him but he was never found. These things are not unusual on the Dorset coast. People don't realise what a dangerous coast line it is around here. Check out: "The railways of purbeck" by R.W Kidner. Mineral narrow gauge lines very interesting.

[@lilchris26]

Super video has usual, thanks for this very interesting history, I have heard of Portland stone.

[@sharonthewalkingexplore.107]

Excellent video truly amazing

[@georgerobartes2008]

They have been quarrying Portland stone for building since the 17th century . I don't know if King Charles 1st' favourite dinner sheep the 'Portland' ( Dorset's native small shorthaired breed ), travelled on the same ships as the stone from Portland and Tilly Whim ( near Worth Matravers ) quarries but its a nice idea .