Hayling Billy - Havant & Hayling Island Branch Line

Last Days of the Hayling Billy. The line was opened by the LBSCR for goods on January 19th 1865, and for passengers on July 16th 1897. Over the winter of 1962 it was decided to close the branch line, the reason being the old timber bridge that crossed Langstone Harbour needed expensive repairs. The company could not afford the repairs and thus the line took its final fare paying customers on November 3 1963. Here is a link to another great video of the hayling billy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqHDoF2hO-Y

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• havant
• hayling
• train
• steam

[pompeyboycat]

if i won the lottery, i would love to rebilud this line exactly as it was then, i think the blubell line has a terrier,it might be one of the originals. i think last time it was considered they said it would cost £1 million just to rebuild the bridge!! as i said if i had the money hayling would have there railway back! happy days!! great film

[TheHaylingTerrier]

Tryed and failed the local Council aren't having any of it a bike route now what a waste

[NIR111Class]

One of Terriers in this video, 32650 survives today. She's at the Spa Valley Railway under overhaul.

[Sopwith16]

if i won the lottery twice i would rebuild this line and the banstaple to bideford line exactly. people say it's just a waist of time trying to rebuild them exactly, but then you don't get the feel. who's with me?

[BuffersYeoman]

Also named "Puffing Billy"

[Tomthetrainfan]

i pass the remains of this lovely little line on essentially a daily basis....

god i wish they'd kept the billy going...

[TheHaylingTerrier]

Where did you get this clip? I know it's off of Portsmouth TV but I can't find this clip

[splinter196]

so would i my grandad was a driver when ur sat in the traffic i think how cool it would be to be on the train

[TheDepotCat]

@fxtraderuk I only just remember the Hayling Island branch as a kid. In 1974 I stumbled upon the old station with all the buildings intact. I went back in 1975 with a camera and the whole lot had been demolished :( I've got a photo of the Terrier outside the Hayling Billy Pub that you mention...I'll have to try and find it. I believe that the pub is still there without it's pub sign loco.

[nolicnotrut]

I cycled the route at the weekend. It is now wonderful for cyclists and walkers, and an excellent way of using the old track bed.

I share other commentators regrets about loss of this, and many other, railways. For an island, Hayling seems to be very busy with motor traffic. Would that improve if the railway was restored? I doubt it!

Wonderful archive footage on the vid.

Thank you.

[MiLLwallpaul231258]

i wonder if dr beeching was still alive today what he'd think of the mayhem he caused closing down all these wonderful little branch lines?

[124roger]

I suggest that Britain's impoverished bankers finance and rebuild this line - and I mean rebuild it - with their sodding bare hands. Hopefully one or two might fall into the mud at Langstone while reconstructing the bridge. Wouldn't wish them any harm but I'd be there to watch.