Other traffic included newspaper trains and pigeon specials (Fordingbridge was a favourite site for release). In addition, there was a large grain warehouse owned by Dukes who eventually took over the station yard after closure. One of the problems endured by the line was a constant shortage of stock, which was exacerbated in the 1950s with the wholesale withdrawal of pre-grouping coaching stock and desperate measures were necessary. Salisbury received an articulated SECR railmotor P+P Isle of Sheppey set after its withdrawal from the Portland branch. This was employed on workmen's specials from Idmiston-Salisbury as well as the Salisbury and Dorset and a well-known photograph shows it entering Fordingbridge with a Salisbury-Bournemouth West local behind a T9.