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Written by Jack Haynes - 06 Jan 2015
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Location notes
A road over railway bridge next to the small Thornford Halt on the Dorchester West to Yeovil Pen Mill line, situated around a mile outside the village of Thornford and Yetminster.
Railway type and traffic
Traffic is mainly First Great Western Class 150s, 158s and 153s, with First Great Western HSTs starting to operate along the line on summer Saturdays as of 2014.
Steam and Diesel Specials operate throughout the year with occasional test trains.
The nearby Yeovil Railway Centre services steam locomotives on railtours to Weymouth, so ECS movements from Weymouth including light engine moves will operate along this line to and from Weymouth and Yeovil.
Link to Real Time Trains
RTT Link Thornford
This link should be close to the location, but may not be the actual location so please check the page. This link will take you to what is happening 'around now'. Dates and times can be changed at the top of the page.
Environment
The station is located around a mile west of the village of Thornford, surrounded by lovely Dorset countryside.
Road directions
From the main A37 Yeovil to Dorchester road, turn off at Yeovil Lodge Junction and follow signs for Yetminster. Once you have arrived in Yetminster, pass straight through the village. Once you have departed Yetminster you will see the sign which indicates Thornford Railway Station around a mile after Yetminster.

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Thornford map co-ordinates
Parking
There is a small car park around a quarter of a mile from the station. Travelling from Yetminster, pass Thornford station and you will eventually come to a T Junction, turn right and the car park will be on your right. Roadside parking close to the location is difficult due to the narrow roads and should be avoided.
Public transport
Trains stop on request at the station, and there are buses available from the villages of Thornford and Yetminster.

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Amenities
There are no toilets in the immediate vicinity, but Yetminster has a small shop in the centre of the village and there are pubs in Yetminster and Thornford.
Accommodation
Plenty of B&Bs and Hotels in the nearby towns of Sherborne and Yeovil.
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Thornford

Googly map
Streetmap links
Thornford general view map
Thornford close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Thornford



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Photographic notes
The actual station does not offer an inspiring shot. But for photographing southbound workings in the late afternoon/evening the bridge offers and excellent view.
Stand on the right hand side of the line looking south stood on top the embankment alongside the road. You will capture a nice shot of a train approaching the station with the picturesque countryside behind the train.


General views - All photographs © Jack Haynes unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking south east


Fig 1 - Looking south east


Fig 2 - Looking south east


Fig 2 - Looking south east


Fig 3 - Looking north west


Fig 3 - Looking north west


Fig 4 - Looking south east


Fig 4 - Looking south east


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