"West Bay station opened in March 1884, as the terminus at the end of a two-mile extension to the Bridport Railway. The Bridport Railway, running from a junction with the GWR at Maiden Newton to the town of Bridport, had opened 27 years earlier in 1857. The line was operated throughout by the Great Western, and in 1901 the GWR purchased the Bridport Railway.
The West Bay extension was built in the hope of developing the town into a major seaside resort, perhaps becoming as big as Bournemouth. However, this did not happen. The railway was only used by a few locals, and a small number of visitors from further afield.
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Isisbridge said:
"West Bay station opened in March 1884, as the terminus at the end of a two-mile extension to the Bridport Railway. The Bridport Railway, running from a junction with the GWR at Maiden Newton to the town of Bridport, had opened 27 years earlier in 1857. The line was operated throughout by the Great Western, and in 1901 the GWR purchased the Bridport Railway.
The West Bay extension was built in the hope of developing the town into a major seaside resort, perhaps becoming as big as Bournemouth. However, this did not happen. The railway was only used by a few locals, and a small number of visitors from further afield.
By 1930 passenger numbers were so low, it was decided to close the West Bay extension to passenger traffic, although goods services continued until the end of 1962. Luckily, the station avoided demolition. Shortly after closure the station building was used as the offices of a boat yard. After that it became the West Bay Visitor Centre, and is currently (2011) a café called "The Tea Station"."