Network Rail is reminding passengers that the Heart of Wessex rail line will close for seven days this weekend from Saturday 15 to Friday 21 February 2020.
Network Rail will be carrying out improvement works to increase reliability on the route.
Work includes the upgrade of a bridge between Yetminster and Thornford; tunnel lining work near Dorchester; as well as track renewals along the route, and essential maintenance.
Trains will be amended between Weymouth, Dorchester West, Yeovil Pen Mill and Castle Cary.
During the closure, road transport will replace trains between Weymouth and Yeovil Pen Mill, extending journey times by more than an hour as a result.
South Western Railway's trains via Bournemouth are unaffected.
Mark Killick, Network Rail Wessex route director, said:
“There is never a good time to close an important line for the area's communities, and we are sorry for the inconvenience the closures will cause.
“This significant piece of work to the bridge will be much easier to maintain and together with a reinforced tunnel and new and refurbished track, there will be a much more reliable railway and better journeys for our passengers.”
Alastair Hutton, Project Manager for Great Western Railway, said:
“The Heart of Wessex line is an important route for our customers travelling to or from Weymouth, so we appreciate them bearing with us whilst this essential work is being carried by Network Rail.”
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Why can’t the railway line between castle Cary and Dorchester be redoubled it. Is in a poor state of repair to get from bath to Weymouth takes over 2 hours on a sometimes 2carriage train packed in like sardines it’s quicker and cheaper by car