Train services between Castle Cary and Weymouth recommenced this morning (Monday, 30 September) after a week-long suspension for essential upgrades on the Heart of Wessex line.

During the week-long closure, Network Rail’s engineering team replaced approximately a mile of track between Thornford and Yeovil Pen Mill.

This included the installation of over 2,000 new sleepers and 3,600 tonnes of ballast.

The decommissioned track, being over half a century old, required regular inspections and repairs by the maintenance crew to ensure the safe transit of passengers.

The line frequently experienced defects and speed limitations because the rails were joined every 60 feet. The upgraded track uses ‘continuously welded rail,’ eliminating the joints, which means it needs fewer inspections and is less likely to have faults.

To the south, engineers have finished improvements on the junctions flanking Maiden Newton station, where the dual tracks serving the platforms converge into a single line.

To make the most of the closure period, a variety of tasks were accomplished, such as inspecting the Poundbury and Grimstone tunnels, conducting signalling and telecommunications tests, and selectively pruning diseased and hazardous trees along the stretch between Yeovil Pen Mill and Yeovil Junction stations.

“I am delighted to see that these upgrade works to the Heart of Wessex Line have been completed successfully. I would like to pay tribute to everyone who has worked on the project to deliver a safe and upgraded railway for our passengers.

We appreciate that week-long closures are disruptive, but these can be the most efficient way we can improve the reliability of the railway for our passengers, rather than closing the line for multiple weekends. We are, of course, grateful to passengers for their patience and understanding during this week-long closure.”

Mark Goodall, Network Rail’s Wessex Route Director

“We are delighted to have train services operating again between Castle Cary and Weymouth on our Heart of Wessex line.

This improvement work formed part of an ongoing programme of maintenance to ensure we can continue to provide consistent and reliable services.

Jordan Welsby, GWR Station Manager for Westbury, Wiltshire and Dorset