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PeterD-2009

  2. Trains

Hayling Billy Line

This line ran from Havant station to Hayling (the south of Hayling Island), Hampshire, England. It was opened in 1865 as a single track line with no passing loops and was one of only two fixed links to the mainland. It passed over Langstone harbour on a wooden viaduct with a swing bridge in the middle. The main reason given to close the line was the condition of the wooden structure. After closure, the wooden viaduct was removed leaving only the pillars on which it was mounted in place today. Four trains an hour travelled between Havant and Hayling and these were very popular. The lines closure in 1963 has resulted in only one fixed link to the island (the road bridge at Langstone). The line of the railway has now been converted to a footpath and cycleway.
It is hoped that the signal will be restored to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the lines closure.
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*******************************The HB50 Project is under way***************************************
The web site has just been launched. Please visit http://www.haylingbilly50.co.uk/ to keep up-to-date with what is happening. The website includes a forum where you can register and post comments/images of your memories and comment on the project.
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1930's out of copyright map of the route of the Hayling Billy Line from Havant. The dotted line running vertically down the page is the single track 'Hayling Billy' Railway which alas is no more. I found this <a href="http://www.ponies.me.uk/maps/osmap.html">website</a> very useful in providing old OS maps.
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1930's out of copyright map of the route of the Hayling Billy Line from Havant. The dotted line running vertically down the page is the single track 'Hayling Billy' Railway which alas is no more. I found this website very useful in providing old OS maps.

Hayling Billy RailwayLangstone HarbourRailways

  • 1930's out of copyright map of the route of the Hayling Billy Line from Havant. The dotted line running vertically down the page is the single track 'Hayling Billy' Railway which alas is no more. I found this <a href="http://www.ponies.me.uk/maps/osmap.html">website</a> very useful in providing old OS maps.
  • 27 Oct 2011 Map of the Hayling Billy railway from a legal document dated 1873.<br /> To avoid having to buy land on Hayling Island for the construction of the railway, the 1860 Act of Parliament authorised the building of the railway on an embankment over the mud flats in Langstone Harbour. This was abandoned in 1866 and the line was re-routed inland. This map shows the abandoned railway alignment (as dashed lines) to the left of the brown and red shaded areas and the new alignment marked in blue.<br /> For more information, read the article on our HB50 website here > <a href="http://www.haylingbilly50.co.uk/node/74">http://www.haylingbilly50.co.uk/node/74</a>">
  • 25 Oct 2011 Circa 1939 SR Sketch showing the old ballast pit used by the railway.<br /> This is a sketch of the area showing embankments leading to the railway bridge and the road bridge. The road that connected the ballast pit to the railway was removed by the time of this sketch but cut directly over the field to form a straight alignment with the track leading from the railway.<br /> The abandoned (1866) railway embankment can also be seen on the extreme left.
  • The southern approach to Langstone viaduct. The rail built signal that would have controlled access to the swing bridge can be seen. Copyright 2009 Peter Drury
  • The concrete piers on which the wooden viaduct was built can be seen here. The metal structure to the left of this image is all that remains of the southern pier of the swing bridge. Copyright 2009 Peter Drury
  • This image shows the construction of the rail built signal posts. The two rails are held together with hollow spacers and secured by bolts passed through them. This was a popular and cheap method of construction which utilised old , redundant lengths of rail. Copyright 2009 Peter Drury
  • Close-up of signal arm actuating system. The loop at the bottom of the arm would be used to secure the signalling cable from the signal box. The other end of the lever arm would be fitted with balance weights which ensure the signal remains at danger if the signalling cable were to fail. Copyright 2009 Peter Drury
  • Ignore the dummy semaphore signal on the post. This was added for cosmetic reasons only. What can also be seen here is the rod that connects the balance weight arm with the signal arm mechanism. It is a shame that a proper semaphore signal was not fitted rather than the dummy item. Copyright 2009 Peter Drury
  • The northern approach to the Langstone viaduct. The northern swing bridge pier can be seen to the right. Copyright 2009 Peter Drury
  • The southern approach of the line to the Langstone viaduct. This is now a public footpath and cycleway. Copyright 2009 Peter Drury
  • From this point, the line is raised on an embankment over the marshes leading to the southern end of Langstone viaduct. The footpath/cycle path lead onto the old railway alignment from the right. Warning signs to alert people of the dangers of falling have been erected to the left and the barrier prevents cyclists from going beyond this point Copyright 2009 Peter Drury
  • Hayling Island Bridge across Langstone Harbour<br /> This photo was taken from Southmoor on the Langstone Harbour Coastline. Langstone is at the extreme left of the image with the only crossing to the island being the road bridge in the distance. A railway line used to run from Havant station to Hayling Island and crossed the sea in front of the road bridge. The dark piers you can see are all that remain of the wooden viaduct.
  • 29 Aug 2011 The noticeboard outside the station theatre
  • 29 Aug 2011 Extract from the lower left of the noticeboard outside the station theatre
  • 29 Aug 2011 Extract from the lower centre of the noticeboard outside the station theatre
  • 29 Aug 2011 Extract from the top left of the noticeboard outside the station theatre
  • 29 Aug 2011 Extract from the lower right of the noticeboard outside the station theatre
  • 29 Aug 2011 The Station Theatre. This building is the original 1900 built goods shed with a modern extension to the front and west wing.
  • 29 Aug 2011 The Station Theatre. This building is the original 1900 built goods shed with a modern extension to the front and west wing.
  • 29 Aug 2011 The industrial units built over the station a goods yard, immediately to the north of the Station Theatre..
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