Dorchester South railway station
Dorchester South 
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Dorchester South railway station in July 2005
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| Location | |
| Place | Dorchester |
| Local authority | District of West Dorset |
| Coordinates | 50°42′32″N 2°26′13″W / 50.709°N 2.437°WCoordinates: 50°42′32″N 2°26′13″W / 50.709°N 2.437°W |
| Grid reference | SY692900 |
| Operations | |
| Station code | DCH |
| Managed by | South West Trains |
| Number of platforms | 2 |
| DfT category | D |
| Live arrivals/departures, station information and onward connections from National Rail Enquiries |
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| Annual rail passenger usage* | |
| 2011/12 |
 0.532 million |
| – Interchange |
304 |
| 2012/13 |
 0.469 million |
| – Interchange |
311 |
| 2013/14 |
0.479 million |
| – Interchange |
354 |
| 2014/15 |
0.471 million |
| – Interchange |
389 |
| 2015/16 |
0.481 million |
| – Interchange |
451 |
| History | |
| Original company | Southampton and Dorchester Railway |
| Pre-grouping | London and South Western Railway |
| Post-grouping | Southern Railway |
| 1 June 1847 | Terminus opened as Dorchester |
| 1878 | Westbound through platform opened |
| 26 September 1949 | Renamed Dorchester South |
| 1970 | Eastbound through platform opened |
| National Rail – UK railway stations | |
| * Annual estimated passenger usage based on sales of tickets in stated financial year(s) which end or originate at Dorchester South from Office of Rail and Road statistics. Methodology may vary year on year. | |
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Dorchester South railway station is one of two railway stations serving the town of Dorchester in Dorset, England, the other one being Dorchester West. The station is located on the London Waterloo–Weymouth main line. The station is managed by South West Trains, who operate all trains serving it.
The station opened on 1 June 1847 when the Southampton and Dorchester Railway was completed. The station was built as an east facing terminus with the intent of continuing the line westwards towards Exeter. These plans were never realised, and instead another line was built from the terminus towards Weymouth. This joined with the Great Western Railway's line (now the Heart of Wessex Line) from Dorchester West and continued as a joint line to Weymouth.
Originally named Dorchester, the station was renamed Dorchester South on 26 September 1949. The station remained a terminus with trains from Bournemouth having to enter the station, reverse out back the way they came then reverse again and proceed to Weymouth. Trains from Weymouth had to pass the station, then reverse into it, and then back out. This process often caused delays and brought criticism following an accident in 1877. As a result, a curved platform was provided for southbound trains; this was brought into use during 1878. Eastbound trains still reversed into the original platform until 1970 when a platform was built on the curve. The buildings on the trackless original platform remained in use until 1989. As part of the modernisation work preparatory to electrification a new booking hall was built on the curved platform, replacing the building on the original platform which was then demolished.
The Southampton and Dorchester Railway constructed a motive power depot at the station in 1847 together with a coal stage and turntable. This closed in 1957 and was demolished soon afterwards.
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