View source for Heart of Wessex Line

{{Short description|Railway line in England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2017}}
{{Infobox rail line
 | name        = Heart of Wessex Line
 | color       =
 | logo        =
 | logo_width  =
 | logo_alt    =
 | image       = Maiden Newton 37670 37401.jpg
 | image_width = 300px
 | caption     = {{brc|37}}s at {{rws|Maiden Newton}} with a summer Saturday Bristol-Weymouth service in 2009
 | type        = [[Suburban rail]], [[Heavy rail]]
 | system      = [[National Rail]]
 | status      = Operational
 | locale      = [[Wiltshire]]<br>[[Dorset]]<br>[[South West England]]
 | start       =
 | end         =
 | stations    =
 | routes      =
 | ridership2 = 2,119,070 (2017)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heartofwessex.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017-18-LINE-PLAN.pdf|title=HEART OF WESSEX RAIL PARTNERSHIP - LINE PLAN|last=Heart of Wessex Community Rail Partnership|website=heartofwessex.org.uk|access-date=29 March 2019}}</ref>
 | open        =
 | close       =
 | owner       = [[Network Rail]]
 | operator    =
 | character   =
 | depot       =
 | stock       =
 | linelength  = 87mi&nbsp;20ch (140.41&nbsp;km)
 | tracklength =
 | tracks = 
 | gauge       = {{RailGauge|sg|allk=on}}
 | old_gauge =
 | minradius   =
 | racksystem  =
 | routenumber =
 | electrification =
 | speed       =
 | elevation   =
 | website     =
 | map         = [[File:Heart of Wessex Line.png|300px]]<br>([[:commons:File:Heart of Wessex Line.png|Click to expand]])
 | map_state   = uncollapsed
}}
{{Heart of Wessex Line diagram}}
The '''Heart of Wessex Line''', also known as the '''Bristol to Weymouth Line''', is a railway line that runs from {{stnlnk|Bristol Temple Meads}} to {{stnlnk|Westbury}} and [[Weymouth, Dorset|Weymouth]] in England. It shares the [[Wessex Main Line]] as far as Westbury and then follows the course of the [[Reading to Taunton Line]] as far as {{stnlnk|Castle Cary}}.

==History==
{{main|Wilts, Somerset and Weymouth Railway}}

==Places served==
The cities, towns and villages served by this route are:<ref name=GBTT>{{cite web|title=Brighton, Portsmouth and Weymouth - Bristol, Cardiff, Gloucester and Great Malvern|url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/enrt/dec15/TimeTables/Table%20123.pdf|website=National Rail Timetable|publisher=Network Rail|access-date=2016-01-20}}</ref>
*[[Bristol]]
*[[Keynsham]]
*[[Bath, Somerset|Bath]]
*[[Freshford, Somerset|Freshford]]
*[[Avoncliff]]
*[[Bradford on Avon]]
*[[Trowbridge]]
*[[Westbury, Wiltshire|Westbury]]
*[[Frome]]
*[[Bruton]]
*[[Castle Cary]]
*[[Yeovil]]
*[[Thornford]]
*[[Yetminster]]
*[[Chetnole]]
*[[Maiden Newton]]
*[[Dorchester, Dorset|Dorchester]]
*[[Upwey, Dorset|Upwey]]
*[[Weymouth, Dorset|Weymouth]]

==Operator==
Passenger services on the route are operated by [[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|Great Western Railway]].

Most Great Western services originate from [[Gloucester railway station|Gloucester]]. Some originate from other places such as {{stnlnk|Swindon}} and [[Cheltenham Spa railway station|Cheltenham]]. As of May 2025, the weekday service on this line is hourly between Gloucester and Westbury, with a train in approximately every 2 hours running the whole way to Weymouth. There are only 3 departures each way between Bristol and Weymouth on a Sunday.<ref name="GBTT" />

South Western Railway operate a limited service between [[London Waterloo railway station|London Waterloo]] and [[Yeovil Junction railway station|Yeovil Junction]] via Castle Cary. From summer 2016 there was also a "seaside special" service between Weymouth and {{stnlnk|Salisbury}} or Waterloo via Yeovil Junction, but this was withdrawn in 2020 during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/update/2016-03-09/proposals-unveiled-for-direct-trains-between-north-south-dorset/|title=Proposals unveiled for direct trains between North & South Dorset|date=9 March 2016|work=ITV News|access-date=15 March 2017|language=en}}</ref>

==Rolling stock==
Services are typically operated with [[British Rail Class 165|Class 165]] and [[British Rail Class 166|Class 166]] "Networker Turbo" trains. These were introduced in the late 2010s after they were released from the Thames Valley during the [[21st-century modernisation of the Great Western Main Line|modernisation of the Great Western Main Line]], although [[British Rail Class 158|Class 158s]] are still occasionally used.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.railmagazine.com/trains/new-trains/how-the-west-will-win-with-new-trains|title=How the West will win with new trains|date=15 April 2015|website=Rail magazine|language=en|access-date=15 March 2017}}</ref> South Western Railway services are operated by [[British Rail Class 159|Class 159s]] and sometimes Class 158s.

Before the introduction of the Networker Turbo trains, the route was typically operated with [[British Rail Sprinter|Sprinter diesel multiple unit]] trains, typically of 2 or 3 coach [[British Rail Class 150|Class 150]], with some [[British Rail Class 158|Class 158]] trains. 

Past rolling stock has included locomotive-hauled trains, including [[British Railways Mark 2]] coaches hauled by [[British Rail Class 67|Class 67]] used to strengthen high-demand summer Saturday services in 2008–2010 between Bristol and the seaside resort of Weymouth.{{ref|[http://fgw.2020apps.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=85 First Great Western: The Heart of Wessex line]}}

==Community rail==
A Bristol to Weymouth Rail Partnership was created in 1998 so that local authorities could support the line.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}} In 2003 this was rebranded as the Heart of Wessex partnership and line.<ref>{{cite web |title=Route Prospectus, Bristol to Weymouth Line |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/449040/bristol-weymouth.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809234732/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/449040/bristol-weymouth.pdf |archive-date=9 August 2016 |access-date= |website=GOV.UK |publisher=Department for Transport}}</ref> The TransWilts [[community rail partnership]] (CRP) gained accredited status under the Department for Transport's community rail programme which began in 2005.<ref>{{cite web |title=Community rail |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/community-rail-lines |access-date=29 April 2024 |website=GOV. UK |publisher=Department for Transport}}</ref>

In 2021, although the line's branding remains the same, the responsibility for the line was divided among three CRPs: Severnside CRP from Bristol to Bradford on Avon, TransWilts CRP covering Trowbridge and Westbury in Wiltshire, and the newly created South Wessex CRP covering stations from Frome to Yeovil in Somerset and from Thornford to Weymouth in Dorset.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Community Rail |url=https://www.gwr.com/about-gwr/what-you-can-expect/community/community-rail |access-date=2024-04-29 |website=Great Western Railway |language=en}}</ref>

==Accidents and incidents==
*On 18 March 1849, a passenger train became divided approaching {{rws|Keynsham}}. The rear portion then ran into the front portion when the latter stopped at the station. One person was injured.<ref name=BO220349>{{cite news |title=Extraordinary Railway Accident |newspaper=The Bradford Observer |location=Bradford |date=22 March 1849 |issue=787 |page=7}}</ref>
*On 20 January 1853 a luggage train was derailed near Keynsham due to an axle failure on one of the carriages.<ref name=Times220153>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Accident on the Great Western Railway |date=22 January 1853 |page=3 |issue=21332 |column=F }}</ref>
*On 7 June 1865, a passenger train ran into the rear of another near Keynsham, and an empty stock train ran into the wreckage. At least three people were injured.<ref name=Times080665>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Accident on the Great Western Railway |date=8 June 1865 |page=11 |issue=25206 |column=C }}</ref>
<!--*28 June 1865, Bruton. Train misrouted and collided with buffers. 2 killed, 2 injured-->
*On 4 August 1868, a passenger train collided with the [[buffer stop]]s at {{rws|Weymouth}} due to poor rail conditions and driver error. Six people were injured.<ref name=Weymouth>{{cite web |url=http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/BoT_Weymouth1868.pdf |title=London and South Western Railway |publisher=Board of Trade |date=21 August 1868 |access-date=21 March 2017}}</ref>
*On 28 October 1873, a mail train passed a signal at danger and collided with a luggage train at {{rws|Westbury}}.<ref name=PMG291073>{{cite news |title=Collision on the North Western Railway |newspaper=The Pall Mall Gazette |location=London |date=29 October 1875 |issue=2716}}</ref>
*On 11 June 1875, a passenger train was derailed at [[Bathampton railway station|Bathampton Junction]]. One person was killed and six were injured, three seriously.<ref name=Times120675>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Railway Accident |date=12 June 1875 |page=13 |issue=28340 }}</ref><ref name=Times140675>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=The Bathampton Railway Accident |date=14 June 1875 |page=13 |issue=28341 |column=F }}</ref>
*On 2 July 1876, a freight train was derailed at Bathampton Junction.<ref name=PMG030776>{{cite news |title=Summary of this morning's news |newspaper=The Pall Mall Gazette |location=London |date=3 July 1876 |issue=3548}}</ref>
*On 15 August 1876, a freight train was derailed at [[Hampton Row Halt railway station|Hampton Row]] after a bale of [[cotton]] fell off a wagon and derailed the one behind it.<ref name=Times160876>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Railway Accidents |date=16 August 1876 |page=11 |issue=28709 |column=C-D }}</ref>
*On 24 October 1882, a passenger train was derailed near {{rws|Cattistock}} when a bridge collapsed under it due to a storm. Several people were injured, on seriously.<ref name=Times251082>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=The Storm |date=25 October 1882 |page=10 |issue=30647 |column=F }}</ref>
*On 8 August 1913, a passenger train ran into the rear of another at {{rws|Yeovil Pen Mill}} due to [[signal passed at danger|passing a signal at danger]]. Two people were killed and ten injured, two seriously.<ref name=YPM>{{cite web |url=http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/BoT_Yeovil1913.pdf |title=Great Western Railway |publisher=Board of Trade |date=27 August 1913 |access-date=21 March 2017}}</ref>
*On 11 January 1966, an express passenger train ran into the rear of another at {{rws|St Anne's Park}} due to a signalman's error. A locomotive was then in a sidelong collision with the wreckage. Nineteen passengers were injured. [[Diesel-hydraulic]] locomotive [[British Rail Class 52|D 1071 ''Western Renown'']] was severely damaged; [[British Rail Class 43 (Warship Class)|D 864 ''Zambesi'']] was slightly damaged.<ref name=StAnnesPark>{{cite web |url=http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/MoT_StAnnes1967.pdf |title=Report on the Collision that occurred on 11th January 1967 at St. Anne's Park, Bristol |publisher=Her Majestey's Stationery Office |author=Ministry of Transport |date=28 December 1967 |access-date=21 March 2017}}</ref>
*On 25 August 1974, a passenger train was derailed at {{rws|Dorchester West}} after passing a signal at danger. Eighteen people were injured.<ref name=DW>{{cite web |url=http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/DoE_Dorchester1974.pdf |title=Report on the Derailment that occurred on 25 August 1974 at Dorchester West |agency=Her Majesty's Stationery Office |publisher=Railway Inspectorate, Department of the Environment |date=20 November 1975 |access-date=21 March 2017}}</ref>
*On 24 March 1987, a passenger train and a freight train were in a head-on collision at {{rws|Frome}} due to the freight train passing a signal at danger. Locomotives [[British Rail Class 33|33 032]] and [[British Rail Class 47|47 202]] were severely damaged. Fifteen people were injured, some seriously.<ref name=Frome>{{cite web |url=http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/DoT_Frome1987.pdf |title=Report on the Collision that occurred on 24th March 1987 at Frome |publisher=Her Majesty's Stationery Office |author=Department of Transport |date=6 May 1988 |access-date=21 March 2017}}</ref><ref name=Vaughan>{{cite book |title=Tracks to Disaster |first=Adrian |last=Vaughan |publisher=Ian Allan |location=Hersham |year=2003 |orig-year=2000 |isbn=0-7110-2985-7 |pages=10–11 }}</ref>
*On 10 November 2008, a freight train was derailed at East Somerset Junction due to a signalman's error.<ref name=RAIB282009>{{cite web |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/547c9009e5274a428d000169/R282009_091110_East_Somerset_Junction.pdf |title=Derailment of two locomotives at East Somerset Junction 10 November 2008 |publisher=Rail Accidents Investigation Branch |access-date=21 March 2017}}</ref>
*On 12 November 2008, a passenger train collided with a van on a [[level crossing]] at {{rws|Freshford}}. There were no injuries.<ref name=BBC7724407>{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/somerset/7724407.stm |title=Train hits van on level crossing |publisher=BBC News Online |date=13 November 2008 |access-date=21 March 2017}}</ref>
*On 6 December 2011, a train was derailed at {{rws|Westbury}}.<ref name=BBC16045210>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-16045210 |title=Train derails at Westbury causing rail delays |publisher=BBC News Online |date=6 December 2011 |access-date=21 March 2017}}</ref>
*On 24 January 2013, a passenger train caught fire at {{rws|Upwey|Dorset}}.<ref name=BBC21175993>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-21175993 |title=Weymouth rail services delayed by fire under train |publisher=BBC News Online |date=24 January 2013 |access-date=21 March 2017}}</ref>
*On 20 March 2017, a freight train was derailed at East Somerset Junction.<ref name=BBC39334158>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-39334158 |title=Somerset freight train derailment causes '48 hour blockage' |publisher=BBC News Online |access-date=21 March 2017}}</ref> The line was closed until 25 March.<ref name=BBC39392364>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-39392364 |title=Wiltshire-Somerset train services restored after derailment |publisher=BBC News Online |access-date=25 March 2017}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book|author=R.V.J. Butt |title= The Directory of Railway Stations  |publisher=Patrick Stephens Ltd.   |year=1995}}  {{ISBN|1-85260-508-1}}
* {{cite book|author=Robert Adley |title=Covering My Tracks   |publisher=Patrick Stephens Ltd.   |year=1988|author-link=Robert Adley }}  {{ISBN|0-85059-882-6}}
* {{cite book|author=J.H. Lucking |title=Railways of Dorset   |publisher=[[Railway Correspondence and Travel Society]] 1968   }}  ISBN(no ISBN)

==External links==
*[http://www.heartofwessex.org.uk/ Heart of Wessex line] – The Heart of Wessex Rail Partnership

{{Railway lines in South West England}}

[[Category:Rail transport in Wiltshire]]
[[Category:Community railway lines in England]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Dorset]]
[[Category:Railway lines in South West England]]
[[Category:Wessex]]