The result of the Modernisation Plan of Britain's railway network, at the hands of the good 'Doctor'.
Originally owned by the LSWR, the line first opened on the 2nd of December 1872 to provide a direct link from Broadstone to Poole.
The line provided a through route to Bournemouth West, which was as far as S&D trains went after joining the Southern Region (Formerly the LSWR and Southern Railway respectively) at Broadstone. As a result, traffic coming off of the S&D line at Broadstone used this route.
The Somerset & Dorset route closed to passenger traffic in the mid 1960's, with the line towards Blandford from Broadstone being lifted in 1969 upon the termination of freight traffic to Blandford Forum. However, the line to Wimborne would remain open until 1977, for through freight services for Wimborne.
This video, follows the exact route of the line, as closely as possible.
By map, the line is easily identifiable. Much of the route is now covered by a road, while other parts have been built on with industrial estates.
