In January 1907 motor-train working was introduced between Havant and Hayling Island. This consisted of a specially adapted ‘Terrier’ engine and a third class only auto-train trailer coach. With this arrangement the coach was pulled as normal with the engine in front on the outward journey and on the return journey the coach was pushed [...]
1872 – 1923 LBSCR ERA
Negotiations with the London Brighton & South Coast Railway (LBSCR) resulted in an arrangement whereby the LBSCR ran the branch on behalf of the Hayling Railway Company, providing the staff and stock to do so. Ownership of the branch line remained with the Hayling Railway Company with a lease being granted to the LBSCR.
Engines and Engine Sheds
In 1874, the first LBSCR locomotives arrived on the branch line.These were a motley collection of unique or small classes of locomotives that were found to be surplus to requirements; These included locomotives originally purchased from, Sharp Stewart and Kitson for use on other branch lines and had been displaced as traffic grew.
An engine shed that was originally at Petworth (whilst that station was a temporary terminus) was moved to South Hayling, probably soon after the LB&SCR began to operate the train service from 1st January 1872. This replaced the Contractor engine shed located between Havant and Langstone and was used to house the LBSCR locomotives.
In 1892 the first of the Stroudley A1 Terriers arrived on the branch. These were again locomotives that had previously worked other branch lines but now were transferred here. These locomotives were serviced and maintained at Fratton and were moved each day with their coaching stock, to Havant for use on the branch line. This saw the demise of the engine shed at South Hayling Station.
Train Service
Approx 1902, the LB&SCR were seeking to reduce the costs of running locomotive hauled trains across their system resulting in the joint purchase, with the LSWR, of two steam railcars to operate the Fratton – East Southsea Branch which were stabled at Fratton.
In 1907 a motor train service began to operate on the Hayling Branch Line in the winter months only. The train consisting of a modified Terrier locomotive, coupled with an auto train trailer. This was not popular and the auto train service was withdrawn in 1916 and replaced with a Terrier and normal coaching stock.
This shows the station in its original form, without the ticket extension to the rear and with herringbone brickwork in the south wall. There is a tantalising glimpse of the wooden engine shed which, until 1894, was situated on a siding behind the end of the platform. The engine shed was originally at Petworth, whilst [...]
This interesting map is held by the Bluebell railway, sourced from Alan Bell's donation to them. This shows the connection at Havant station and the line to Langston station. A small loco shed was built at the opening of the railway. The site of this was chosen due to the proximity of the springs in [...]
This interesting map is held by the Bluebell railway, sourced from Alan Bell's donation to them. It shows the route of the Hayling branch line around Langstone (or should this be Langston?).
This interesting map is held by the Bluebell railway, sourced from Alan Bell's donation to them. It shows the Oysterbed workings at North Hayling. A railway siding was later built, just south of North Hayling Halt, to service the Oysterbeds. See The Hayling Island Oyster Trade for more information.
The Hampshire Telegraph reported an “alarming accident” at Hayling Island Station on the 31st October 1892. The engine normally employed on that branch was returning from repairs at Portsmouth. On arrival at Havant it was attached to four ’waggons’ loaded with oysters from Whitstable and a break-van. The coaches forming the branch train were standing [...]
I thought this would be of interest. It shows how the Hayling Line fits in with the main routes. It also shows other lines that have been lost since 1910. Source of railway map Wikipedia Commons.
Rural Railways article 22 September 1900 In an article on "Queer Travelling' The Weekly Standard and Express explains that 'at North Hayling a train only stops when a driver sees a passenger on the platform, or a passenger has expressed a wish to alight there'.
Portsmouth News December 1891 On Wednesday afternoon a serious accident occurred on the Havant to Hayling railway. A train that starts from Havant at 2.05 left the rails shortly after leaving North Hayling station. Only the engine and part of the first carriage went off the line, the remainder of the train being saved by [...]
HT 5.1.1907 With the advent of the New Year a railway motor service has been inaugurated between Havant and Hayling. The motor service is similar to that running between Portsmouth and Chichester and will carry only one class of passengers. It is claimed that the service is to be improved but it may be pointed [...]
All the major newspapers reported that a very heavy westerly gale had swept across the south of England on Thursday (23rd) with terrific storms being experienced in the English Channel, the most severe for years. "The railway bridge connecting Hayling with the mainland was submerged and when the tide went down it was found that [...]
Railway communication with Hayling Island, South Hants, has been temporarily interrupted. During Thursday night the railway bridge connecting Hayling with the mainland caught fire. So much damage was done that trains are unable to run over it. The fire is believed to have been caused accidentally.
In May 1899 the Hampshire Telegraph reported some concessions which the London Brighton & South Coast Railway Company was making to the train service between Havant and Hayling. From June 1899 a train would arrive at Hayling Station at 7.45 a.m. A train, convenient for businessmen, would leave Hayling at 7.55 and arrive at Havant [...]
Hampshire Postal History - Hayling Island The Hayling Railway Service Pre-printed postcard advising Nurse Stocker that she has a parcel for collection. Submitted by Mike Hill
Hampshire Postal History - Hayling Island The Hayling Railway Service Submitted by Mike Hill
