A New 'Billy' For Hayling!

- Mon 9th Jul 2007

New Steam Locomotive Planned for Hayling Seaside Railway.

The EHLR Society, volunteer support group of the narrow gauge Hayling Seaside Railway, which runs for one mile between Beachlands and Eastoke Corner. Have voted overwhelmingly in favour of building their own ‘new-build’ steam locomotive. Work began on the new engine in the style of classic locomotive builders Bagnall of Stafford, some years ago when the East Hayling Light Railway as it then was, ran a roughly circular line inside the Island’s Mill Rythe Holiday Camp.

Relocation to Hayling seafront in 2002/3 however, brought the temporary suspension of the project, as the building of a completely new railway with workshop and stations took priority. With the re-christened Hayling Seaside Railway recently enjoying its fourth anniversary, work has now recommenced on the new engine in a private workshop on Hayling, at a site kindly provided by a local railway supporter.

Miniatures aside the new volunteer built ‘saddle tank’, will be the first steam locomotive ever to be built on Hayling Island.

‘Hayling Steam’ Later This Year?

While it may be a few years yet before the new ‘Hayling Billy’ takes to the rails, negotiations are now well advanced for the visit of the Hayling Seaside Railway’s first visiting steam engine, some time in the Autumn.

While steam made a brief return, to give ‘rides’ on the circular EHLR Mill Rythe some years ago, the planned steam hauled Beachlands to Eastoke Corner trains will be the first scheduled steam passenger service on Hayling Island, since the closure of the ‘Hayling Billy’, line from Havant in November 1963.

For information about ‘Hayling Steam’ or other events at the Hayling Seaside Railway, please telephone 023 92 372427, E-mail haylingrailwayevents@ntlworld.com, or visit http://www.easthaylinglightrailway.co.uk/  

By forum user, Owd Rooter

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