A new south coast line - would it be worth it?

[superalbs]

Class 230 on Yeovil Junction to Yeovil Pen Mill?

 

[DelW]

There surely has got to be a better way of doing things? How about building a chord into Yeovil Junction from the Weymouth line? See map:> https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@50.9272156,-2.6095643,1498m/data=!3m1!1e3!5m1!1e1

Looking at the Google satellite view, the earthworks are clearly there for a south to west connection, and they are shown on old maps of the area. However none of the maps I've found (from any era) show any track laid.

Was this another instance where the earthworks were carried out but never had a line laid on them? If so, was the construction just a way for the GWR to threaten the South Western's dominance of east Devon?

A chord there looks relatively straightforward, although of course the cost of track and signalling mod's would be high as always. A chord at Dorchester looks much more problematic especially since the recent redevelopment in the area near south station.

 

[randyrippley]

Looking at the Google satellite view, the earthworks are clearly there for a south to west connection, and they are shown on old maps of the area. However none of the maps I've found (from any era) show any track laid.

Was this another instance where the earthworks were carried out but never had a line laid on them? If so, was the construction just a way for the GWR to threaten the South Western's dominance of east Devon?

A chord there looks relatively straightforward, although of course the cost of track and signalling mod's would be high as always. A chord at Dorchester looks much more problematic especially since the recent redevelopment in the area near south station.

No the track was never laid, and the course of the would-be line is broken by the cutting of the Clifton Maybank goods spur. You would have to bridge that, then cross the tracks leading to what were platforms 3/4 and so severing access to the Yeovil Rail Centre. To get to platform 1/2 would need quite a tight curve at the east end of the station
Doable, but more problematic than maybe you think