The bulk of the line (that is from Pirbright Junction to Bournemouth/Bournemouth Depot) was electrified in 1967. From then until 1988 trains on the Bournemouth to Weymouth section operated a push-pull system. One or two BR Class 438 "4-TC" units would be propelled from London to Bournemouth by a BR Class 432 "4-REP" unit, controlled from the leading cab of the former. At Bournemouth, one or both of the Class 438 "4-TCs" would continue over the unelectrified line to Weymouth hauled by a BR Class 33/1 diesel locomotive. Trains from Weymouth would follow the same procedure in reverse.