Geograph - photograph every grid square

A small length of track bed complete with sleepers and rails has been reconstituted next to the platform of former West Bay Station. The track was originally dismantled in the 1970's. Lying on the track bed is this length of very rusty rail which appears to be part of the original rail track. The original track that was laid here in 1884. It was a wide gauge track using what are known as "bridge rails" of this type.

This description of the track by Captain Tyler of the Board of Trade comes from the Wikipedia article on the Bridport Railway:

It has been laid with MacDonnell's patent permanent way, consisting of bridge rails weighing 51 lbs and longitudinal rolled iron sleepers weighing 60 lbs to the lineal yard, which are secured to each other by screw bolts and nuts. The gauge is preserved by angle iron cross-ties, nine feet apart; and a strip of wood has been inserted between the rails and sleepers to prevent rigidity. This description of permanent way has been already tried on the Bristol & Exeter Railway, and with such success as to induce the Company to lay down an additional portion of it.

The line was closed on 5 May 1975, one of the last closures directly linked to the Beeching report.

Thanks to AMR for the information.