To find out train times and ticket prices please go to: South Western Railway
Chetnole is very lucky to have its own railway station, situated just outside the village on the road to Stockwood. It is on the Heart of Wessex Line, which runs through some very attractive scenery between Bristol and Weymouth. Note that it is a Request Stop, which means that you must signal to the driver (hold your hand out!) in order to stop the train. Similarly, when on the train and wishing to leave at Chetnole, it is important to let the conductor know. You buy your ticket on the train
The Halt provides a convenient starting point for many journeys. It is possible to change onto major lines at a number of stations on the line. You can travel to Scotland with only one change of train at Bristol!
Consider taking advantage of the station for days out. For example, leave the car at home and take the train to the seaside at Weymouth, a day’s shopping or going to the theatre in Bath, or visiting Bradford-on-Avon for a meal – and enjoying the view from the window while you are travelling!
The station opened on 11 September 1933 originally with wooden platforms. At that time, the line had double tracks and the Halt had two platforms, one on either side of the road bridge. The photograph above was taken from the ‘Down’ platform for trains going south towards Weymouth). They dismantled the platform in 1968 when the line became a single tract, as it is today.
Underneath the road bridge, you see the old ‘Up’ platform, (for trains going north – which is where we now stand to catch the train (going in either direction!). The ‘Up’ platform was replaced with one made of concrete, taken from the former Cattistock Halt which closed in 1966. The line was considered important for carrying supplies to the naval base in Portland and so escaped Dr Beeching’s axe!
The Friends of Chetnole Halt
A few years ago, a group of Chetnole residents formed a small volunteer team (the Friends of Chetnole Halt) to support the station by, for example, reporting any problems, ensuring that the place remains tidy and clean, and looking where improvements could be made.
The team, together with similar teams from other stations along the line south of Westbury make up the South Wessex Community Rail Partnership, which is supported by Great Western Railway and the local authorities that the line runs through. The Friends have been involved in making a number of improvements over the last couple of years or so.
For example, we now have a poster welcoming passengers from the train to the village and featuring the talents of local artist, Linda Carroll. There is an area at the bottom of the poster where we can display notices about current village events.
We have had a new running-in board (main station sign) installed.
The design of the sign and the chocolate and cream colours are similar to those used by GWR in the 1940s and matches the signs installed on other stations along the line.
A new walkway onto the platform replaces the earlier one, which had deteriorated and become unsafe.
We feel that our encouragement to GWR has speeded up the repainting of the station and making sure that the Train Information point continues to be operational!
Future projects underway include:
- Improvements to the passenger access to the Halt from the village. The Friends have had discussions with GWR, Network Rail and Dorset County Council on this topic but the various options so far identified may need to be reviewed. Clearly, this major project is likely to be ongoing for some time, mainly because of the cost involved.
- The installation of a heritage-style bench, making waiting for the train more enjoyable!
- Improvements to the shelter waiting room
- Setting up a ‘To the station’ sign in the village
- Provision for a water butt to supply water for future flower troughs
If you have any ideas or thoughts regarding our Halt, please do get in touch with one of the Firends.
| Contacts | Leader: Treasurer: | Ian Wood 01935 873022 Aly Kozowyk 01935 872250 |