| Re: Where were Marion and I walking our dog today? Posted by bradshaw at 08:15, 28th October 2025 |     |
There is even a tramway at the Bill, running to a ‘pier’ with a crane. This was the traditional way of moving stone before the Merchants Railway and remained so for these isolated areas
| Re: Where were Marion and I walking our dog today? Posted by grahame at 07:30, 28th October 2025 | |
The quarrying produced many tramways within the quarries and the Merchants Railway which took stone down to the piers at Castletown.
From the Dorset Echo in the last couple of days
A DORSET railway deemed 'isolated and obscure' is celebrating its 200th anniversary as the milestone is marked in Britain.
While the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR) opened on September 27, 1825, the plan for the Portland Railway, commonly known as the Merchants Railway, came into being the same year - and holds the proud title of one of the earliest railways in Britain.
While the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR) opened on September 27, 1825, the plan for the Portland Railway, commonly known as the Merchants Railway, came into being the same year - and holds the proud title of one of the earliest railways in Britain.
Agreed, Bradshaw - a fascinating place to walk.
| Re: Where were Marion and I walking our dog today? Posted by bradshaw at 08:05, 22nd September 2025 | |
The OS map shows the route.
The quarrying produced many tramways within the quarries and the Merchants Railway which took stone down to the piers at Castletown.
In addition, the breakwaters were built from stone hewn from the Admiralty quarries. This needed an incline down to the harbour. It was run from there to the breakwater by a broad gauge railway on wooden piers. The stone was dropped where needed, presumably burying the trestles.
Brian Jackson’s books give more detail and photographs
| Re: Where were Marion and I walking our dog today? Posted by bradshaw at 07:29, 22nd September 2025 | |
Yes, the track bed of the Easton and Church Hope Railway, which was set up to haul stone from the quarries at Easton to a pier at Church ‘ope Cove. Realigned in 1874 to run to Castleton and the Weymouth and Portland Railway, it can be walked from Easton to 800m beyond Folly Pier but the Port block futher progress meaning a return the same way.
The cliff faces were being used by over a dozen climbers to practice their skills.
I came across this video a few moments ago which might be worth watching
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF_GIGvPNHY
| Re: Where were Marion and I walking our dog today? Posted by grahame at 17:23, 21st September 2025 | |
Would you be between Fortuneswell and Easton?
| Re: Where were Marion and I walking our dog today? Posted by Mark A at 16:32, 21st September 2025 | |
Looks to be Slingers country.
Mark
| Re: Where were Marion and I walking our dog today? Posted by ChrisB at 16:00, 21st September 2025 | |
got a photo to give us a starting clue?
| Where were Marion and I walking our dog today? Posted by bradshaw at 15:55, 21st September 2025 | |
What railway was this?
Apologies, photo now added!
