Members Day at the Hayling Seaside Railway.

- Tue 10th Oct 2006

It would’ve taken far more than strong winds and early heavy rain to put the dampeners on events, at the Hayling Seaside Railway’s annual Members Day on Sunday 1st October. Held to celebrate another successful season of narrow gauge trains between Beachlands (Fairground) and Eastoke Corner, the event coincided with Hayling’s annual Sponsored Beach Walk in support of Guide Dogs for the Blind, ably led by The Worshipful Mayor of Havant Councillor Richard Brown.

Councillor Brown dropped by to chat with railway volunteers as hundreds of walkers streamed past on their fund raising mission. He appeared impressed by the achievements of the railway to date, and supportive of plans to extend the line to link with the ferry to Portsmouth. However, he saved his highest praise for the railway’s gang of ‘Junior Members’ who as always were out in force, and seemed very pleased to see the important role that enthusiastic young people play within the supporting East Hayling Light Railway Society.

 1940 Ruston diesel locomotive 'Alistair' leads 1939 Simplex 'Alan B' on a short goods train at
Beachlands on the Hayling Seaside Railway. (Photo: Chris Rogers, EHLR Society).

The torrential rain had mostly passed overhead by lunch time, leaving a dry but blustery afternoon. So with the regular passenger train in the capable hands of ‘Jack the Seaside Engine’, full advantage was taken of the railway’s new ‘two train’ facility at ‘Hornby Halt’, to entertain members and visitors with a series of ‘goods trains’. These were hauled in turn, and in some cases double-headed by, Vic Pullen’s veteran 1940 Ruston industrial locomotive ‘Alistair’, and the railway’s own 1939 Simplex ‘Alan B’.

With daily running over for another year, the Hayling Seaside Railway has now settled into its ‘Winter Timetable’, of trains every Saturday, Sunday and Market Day Wednesday. With daily running during most school holidays, and ‘Santa Specials’, on selected dates in December. Phone Bob Haddock on 023 92 372427 for more details

By forum user, Mat