This line had opened as a short branch from just north of Weymouth station to the quay at Weymouth Harbour in 1874.  Until 1889, goods wagons were pulled by horses, but from that year steam locomotives were used.  Also in that year the passenger service opened, so passengers could travel right to the quay-side station (Weymouth Quay), then embark on the ships bound for the Channel Islands.  

As the line went right through the streets of Weymouth, the speed of the trains was limited to just 4 miles per hour, and a man with a flag had to walk in front of the train.  This arrangement continued until closure of the line in 1987.  The rails have remained in place through to the 2000s.

The photographs below where taken in 1985, during a caravan holiday in Dorset.