
Our journey begins at Bournemouth West, joining the L&SWR main line at Branksome, passing through Poole and heading north to Broadstone Junction where the Somerset & Dorset’s own metals commenced, and then on to Blandford Forum before reaching Templecombe where the Somerset & Dorset crossed the L&SWR main line to the west country. Trains calling there used a platform in the L&SWR station, requiring some unusual shunting manoeuvres that kept enthusiasts entertained right up until closure.