{"id":3713,"date":"2019-07-27T18:24:00","date_gmt":"2019-07-27T17:24:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/?p=3713"},"modified":"2022-11-22T22:52:34","modified_gmt":"2022-11-22T22:52:34","slug":"23-route-learning-the-s-d","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.teignrail.co.uk\/scouting\/23-route-learning-the-s-d\/","title":{"rendered":"23 Route Learning on the S. & D."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

After a long series of unhurried outings, the scout finally completed his route learning between Bath (Green Park) and Bournemouth (West).

<\/strong>At the beginning of the month, he did the short section between Poole and the convergence of lines near Broadstone, passing the site of Creekmoor Halt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6th July, 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

He had made his usual 0430 start from Christow to catch the 0510 to Yeovil Junction. After a cooked breakfast in the lovely buffet there, which opens at six despite there being hardly a soul about, he rode over to Thornford to stop the train for Dorchester.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Usually, he goes straight over to South Station for the 0833 but, not wanting to be too early for the Swanage, he rode up to Poundbury, the Duchy’s model urban extension, to experience again the strange atmosphere of what at times can seem like a film set.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
The scout did not lose sight of his bike while photographing the great expanse of Queen Mother’s Square, Poundbury. Poundbury Tunnel, north of Dorchester (West), was built to avoid destroying the ancient camp. +<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
The scout had seen this used in a film scene. Through the gap in the buildings, Maiden Castle can be glimpsed, new 2,000 years ago. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u200bThen the scout headed back to town for the 0933 to Wareham, whence he rode to Corfe Castle. Not being one to photograph the ordinary when there is something more interesting, he made the coal yard his subject. How many working coal yards can still be found beside stations?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
A working coal yard and ramshackle buildings at Corfe Castle Station on the Swanage Branch. +<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At Swanage, the scout had a coffee and bun in the carriage cafe before walking along the front and riding to Studland to catch the ferry for Sandbanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
The floating bridge or chain ferry, crossing the mouth of Poole Harbour, suffered a broken drive shaft only six days after taking the scout and his bike across to Sandbanks. It was out of service until October. +<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Were he in a position to choose, the scout would have a place on Restronguet Creek, which he believes is Cornwall’s most expensive spot, but wouldn’t give tuppence for one on Sandbanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Poole has a magnificent expanse of water frontage and riding it was a pleasure. Eventually, he came to the old town and followed the course of the harbour tramway to the station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After going part way to Broadstone and back, he caught the train from Poole to Weymouth. Fearful of the crush for the 1730 to Cary, he took the 1654 to Yeovil Junction, a through service to Waterloo, which was only lightly loaded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

27th July, 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This Saturday, it was the same routine, but going to Pen Mill instead of Thornford. Arriving at Hamworthy Junction, the scout quickly found where to join the formation of the original line and followed it most of the way to Broadstone, looking down on the point he had reached on the previous occasion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Broadstone<\/p>\n\n\n\n