Our thanks are expressed to Alan Bell for permission to reproduce the images and text on this page and historical images elsewhere on this section of the site. For more details about the history of the Hayling Billy, we recommend the excellent book 'Branch Line to Hayling' by Vic Mitchell and Keith Smith, in association with Alan Bell, published by the Middleton Press in 1985 - ISBN 0 906520 12 6. Video images are taken with permission from the video 'Memories of the Hayling Island Branch' published by Branch Line Video in association with Alan Bell, 84 Himley Green, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, UK, LU7 7QA. You can use our link to Amazon UK to purchase this and other similar books online for the full, fascinating story of this historic railway - or buy an Amazon Gift Certifcate so that soemone can make their own choice.

 

 

	1963 - Havant Station - On 23 June the empty coaching stock to form the 10.35 a.m. train to Hayling is being hauled by no. 32662 and crosses from the 'up' line at Havant Station onto the Hayling Billy branch line. The stock will be reversed into the bay platform at left of picture to allow passengers to board.
	1963 - Havant Station - Station staff and crew worked two shifts and on 5 October - a month before closure - the early turn posed before going home. From left to right they are: Messrs. Scutt (foreman), Evans (ticket collector), Cherrison (porter / ticket collector), Nash (porter), Ousley (parcel clerk), Crassweller (booking clerk) and Gibbard (porter). Drivers Weeks and Hearn flank Firemen Phillips and Bradbury on the buffer beam.
	1963 - Looking north into New Lane, the former gasworks building is beyond the wide gates of the main line crossing. Their plain concrete posts are drab compared with the octagonal cast iron posts of the branch crossing. Although the road was narrow, double gates were provided. The signal box also controlled the branch line and was known as East Box until 1938. Wheels were provided to control both sets of crossing gates and a lever locked the wicket gates in the foreground.
	1963 - a closer study of the signal box at Havant, this time taken from the far side of Fairfield Road looking north
	1950s - The Fairfield Road gates had to be closed each time a locomotive ran round its train. This is the signalman's view of no. 78 performing that duty. Behind her is the former Labour Exchange and an old-style SCHOOL road sign. The short length of road between the crossings was repaired by BR, who continued to have that responsibility for many years after the branch had closed and the track lifted.
	1963 - view of the Fairfield Road level crossing from the track, looking towards Havant Station showing the old water tower which stood alongside the signal box. The track to the left leads into the Havant bay platform; the track to the right connects the Billy Line to the main rail network.
	1963 - empty stock, double headed with nos. 62 and 50, arrives from Fratton. No. 62 has been uncoupled and waits whilst no. 50 slowly crosses New Lane level crossing, reversing the stock into Havant station's bay platform ready for the next departure to Hayling. No 62 meanwhile will run into the adjoining loop ready to take the following departure.
	1938 - looking north from East Street bridge, a train for Havant speeds south towards Hayling. This type of stock was withdrawn in 1951.
	1957 - a train from Hayling passes under the Lymbourne road foot bridge - viewed through the arch of East Street bridge.
	1963 - a summer's day as a train for Hayling speeds southwards having passed under Lymbourne Road footbridge, alongside Grove Road.
	1930s - Langstone Road - The details of this vintage transport scene are not recorded. The London, Brighton and South Coast railway Co. (LBSCR) gates contrast with later Southern Railway (SR) designs which has cross bracing and split discs.
	1963 - Langstone Road - Two railway men were required on summer Saturdays to wage war against the dense road traffic. Some modern concrete products are evident - lamp posts, sleepers, fence posts and platform decking. Evidence of the past is also to be seen - the LBSCR station name board with raised metal lettering, still in use 40 years after the company ceased to exist. The bus is a 1948 54-seater Leyland PD2/1, withdrawn in 1965 - a short life compared with the Terrier which is delaying it.
	1963 - Langstone Road - The lamp changer's view of part of one of the massive traffic jams created by the original engineer's failure to provide a bridge as planned. Until 1960 motorists were further frustrated by delays at the toll bridge. No. 46 is seen here starting a northbound train on 28 September 1963.

 

Movie clip, 471kb WMV	Shunting in Havant Station bay platform, 1963
Movie clip, 1131kb WMV	Running from Fairfield Road level crossing to East Street, 1963
Movie clip, 201kb WMV	Crossing Langstone Bridge, 1963