sentences:  Financial problems led to the removal of the southern branches and when ‘The Salisbury, Poole & Dorset Junction Railway Bill’ received Royal Assent on 16 July 1861 it was for the Alderbury-West Moors section only.The first sod was cut, using a silver spade, by the Countess Nelson on 3 February 1863 in a field two miles to the north of Downton and close to Trafalgar House, the home of the Earl and Countess Nelson.The contract was let to a Mr Garrett, however the slow progress of work led to his contract being terminated in September 1865 and re-let to a Henry Jackson.