Portland and/or Purbeck stone carried by rail.

[Middlesea John]

Hi everyone, a bit of help please.  I'm looking at freight trains for Hull MRS's layout Ladycross. Was either Portland or Purbeck stone or both carried by rail in the early 1960s ?  If so what kind of wagons and, equally important what did h loads look like ?  Large rocks, Small pieces, Square, symmetrical, random shapes & sizes.

Oh and did it go along the Bournemouth to Southampton route ?  

Many thanks

John

[phil_sutters]

You might be able to find some information from Dorset's archives. There is a contact button in a section about the Herbert photo collection taken about 1959. It is said to contain material on the transportation of Portland stone, as well as its manufacture and uses. That is assuming the button is still working - it is a 2016 document.

https://news.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/dorset-history-centre-blog/2016/11/13/the-portland-stone-industry/

It is often worth checking county and other archives, as well as looking at railway related sources.

Best of luck with your search.

Edited March 6, 2021 by phil_sutters