Hayling Seaside Railway volunteer Ian Edwards, indulges in a few personal musings, on the the Island's railway history since closure of the Hayling Island branch line in 1963. And the forthcoming commemoration in 2013, of 50 years since its final trains by the Hayling’s BEST group’s 'Hayling Billy 50' project. “It's been a long road, getting' from there [...]
Post Closure In 1963
A lot has happened since 1963 and even more so if you count the first twenty years which happened naturally as the rot and decay set in along the line. Since then a huge number have been involved to breathe new life into the trail.
Let’s begin with a brief history since 1984……………….
Oyster fishing has been practiced in a number of locations on the shores of Hayling Island since Roman times. The Oyster bed site at the north west of Hayling Island was developed in 1863 by the South of England Oyster Company, on re-claimed mud land created in the construction of Hayling Branch line by the [...]
The Langstone Oyster Beds were restored for nature conservation in 1996 / 97. The following describes the major civil engineering project which achieved this successful restoration and led to the site's designation as Havant Borough Council's first Local Nature Reserve From 1987 the Council explored various options for overcoming the problems of the Oysterbeds including [...]
I have just found my 2002 invitation to the opening of the first (1.6km) section of the Hayling Billy Trail from New Lane Havant to Langstone Road. Councillor Gordon Erlebach, the Mayor of Havant and the Lady Mayoress attended., HBC's project manager, Martyn Pettifer, gave a short speech and the trail was opened by Stephen [...]
The Marton Vambacs, were originally built as Sun Saloon Cars to operate on the promenade during the summer. These cars were similarly shaped to the railcoaches and had been built by English Electric. The Sun Saloons were numbered 10-21 had half size windows and doors, there was no partitions between the driver and passengers, the [...]
The Goods Shed (built 1900), at the railway terminus, was the only building to be spared when the line was demolished. Today it still stands as the central part of the building named the Station Theatre.
Note the image of the bridge before is on attachment 2 and the bridge in 1971 is in attachment 3 Hampshire Telegraph May 20, 1971 (1).jpg Hampshire Telegraph May 20, 1971 (2).jpg Hampshire Telegraph May 20, 1971 (3).jpg Hampshire Telegraph May 20, 1971 (4).jpg
Derelict but still present 3 years after closure. The station is complete less the ramp at the end of the platform. Photo: Nigel Whitwell
3 years after closure, the track and platform remain in place. Photo: Nigel Whitwell
Nigel took this photo whilst Terrier 'Newington' was in residence at the Hayling Billy pub. This locomotive has been restored to full working order by the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. Photo: Nigel Whitwell
Nigel took this photo whilst Terrier 'Newington' was in residence at the Hayling Billy pub. This locomotive has been restored to full working order by the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. Photo: Nigel Whitwell
This leaflet shows the proposals for replacing the Hayling Billy and the establishment of a Museum. Links to related articles/images on the website: Saving the Line from total closure - http://haylingbillyheritage.org/post-closure-in-1963/saving-the-line-from-total-closure/ Blackpool Tram brought to Havant for potential use on the Hayling Branch (2) - http://haylingbillyheritage.org/uncategorised/blackpool-tram-brought-to-havant-for-potential-use-on-the-hayling-branch-2/ Blackpool Tram brought to Havant for potential use on [...]
I created this photograph at Havenstreet as a preview of what we might hope to see in Hayling next year.
Exceptionally low tide at Langstone, on Saturday 8th September 2012, revealed more of the bridge structure than is often visible.
Rummaging through my old photo's I came across this one. Forgot I'd even taken it. This must have been shortly before the platform was bulldozed and the goods shed was converted into the HIADS building.
