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The 2100 feet long Hythe Pier in Hampshire is Britain's seventh longest pier. Built in 1880 as a terminal for the Hythe-Southampton Ferry (12 minutes crossing time). A few years later a 2-foot gauge baggage line was laid using hand-propelled trucks built by a local Funeral Director!!! This survived until 1919. In 1921, it was replaced by a segregated 2-foot 3rd rail electric railway with originally 3 (now 2) 1914-built battery locos originally from the Avonmouth Mustard Gas Factory and converted to 3rd rail traction push-pulling 3 coaches of the lines 4 coach fleet of 2 driving trailers and two trailers.
The railway still goes strong and is proudly 'The World's Oldest Pier Train' a title granted by Guinness Book of Records. Here's some photos taken on 25th July 2008.
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At the shore end with the train about to depart. In front of the driving trailer is the sole surviving double-deck luggage trolley possibly from the original tramway. Mrs Piermaster is on the extreme right.
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Beside the shore station is the workshops connected by unelectrified sidings, there is a new tank wagon which is propelled to the pier head to refuel the ferries and the second loco under maintenance.
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The locos are only 8ft 4ins long, 6ft 9ins high, and 3ft 9ins wide - hence the generous cab accommodation!!!
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The train setting off for the pier head. Doors are on one side only.
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Arrival at the Pier Head.
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End of the line and a very mean looking buffer stop!
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view of the train from the pub at the shore with the train in the mid distance. This is a very busy line and ferry service as it is an alternative to a 7 miles drive around Southampton Water coastline to the city - just don't try to travel on the train between 8 and 8:30 on a weekday morning - it is packed with commuters!!
This will be a good place to be on Tuesday 11 November as QE2 leaves Southampton for the last time.
Dave
The railway still goes strong and is proudly 'The World's Oldest Pier Train' a title granted by Guinness Book of Records. Here's some photos taken on 25th July 2008.
At the shore end with the train about to depart. In front of the driving trailer is the sole surviving double-deck luggage trolley possibly from the original tramway. Mrs Piermaster is on the extreme right.
Beside the shore station is the workshops connected by unelectrified sidings, there is a new tank wagon which is propelled to the pier head to refuel the ferries and the second loco under maintenance.
The locos are only 8ft 4ins long, 6ft 9ins high, and 3ft 9ins wide - hence the generous cab accommodation!!!
The train setting off for the pier head. Doors are on one side only.
Arrival at the Pier Head.
End of the line and a very mean looking buffer stop!
view of the train from the pub at the shore with the train in the mid distance. This is a very busy line and ferry service as it is an alternative to a 7 miles drive around Southampton Water coastline to the city - just don't try to travel on the train between 8 and 8:30 on a weekday morning - it is packed with commuters!!
This will be a good place to be on Tuesday 11 November as QE2 leaves Southampton for the last time.
Dave
