In 1967, the electrification of the South Western Main Line from London Waterloo to Bournemouth enhanced travel to the seaside, but the line stopped at Bournemouth Central, with the section to Poole and Weymouth remaining un-electrified for 21 years. To maintain through-services without passenger inconvenience, railway planners implemented a push-pull system. The Class 432 electric unit pushed unpowered trailer carriages to Bournemouth, where a diesel locomotive (Class 33) took over for the remainder of the journey. This operation continued until 1988, when full electrification to Weymouth was completed, ending a unique operational routine on the South Coast line.
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