The Hythe Pier Railway, Hampshire
28th June 2009

This small railway has been carrying passengers from the mainland to the ferry terminal at Hythe since 1922, the pier is 2100 feet long, originally a tramway ran along it on which handcarts of luggage were pushed to the boats. It was electified using a third rail 110v DC system. Its pretty unique to travel in the original wooden seated coaches and know that this leftover from another age still forms part of the local intergrated transport system.
It runs every half hour throughout the day meeting the Ferry from Southampton Town Quay, and the return fare at present is £4.60. Oh, and next to the mainland station is the Royal Oak, a lovely old seafront pub and freehouse....

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Having arrived on the ferry the train trundles down the per to meet us, the trolley at the front is for luggage and pushchairs that don't fit inside the small coaches.
Having arrived on the ferry the train trundles down the per to meet us, the trolley at the front is for luggage and pushchairs that don't fit inside the small coaches.
3264x2448
2009-06-26 09:35:35
 A very Victorian interior!
A very Victorian interior!
3264x2448
2009-06-26 09:36:59
 The little mainland station, complete with miniture platform
The little mainland station, complete with miniture platform
3264x2448
2009-06-26 09:41:46
 Engine No1 rests at the terminal
Engine No1 rests at the terminal
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2009-06-26 09:42:53
Heading off into the rain again
Heading off into the rain again
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2009-06-26 10:03:40
 Engine No2 on the shed, inside a coach was undergoing restoration
Engine No2 on the shed, inside a coach was undergoing restoration
3264x2448
2009-06-26 10:08:58
 A general view of the little depot, the tank wagon is used to take diesel to the end of the pier to refuel the boats
A general view of the little depot, the tank wagon is used to take diesel to the end of the pier to refuel the boats
3264x2448
2009-06-26 10:09:34
3264x2448
2009-06-26 10:12:10
The weathers drying up a bit now, the trains are very well used with all 3 coaches often full
The weathers drying up a bit now, the trains are very well used with all 3 coaches often full
3264x2448
2009-06-26 11:33:19
3264x2448
2009-06-26 11:33:41
 The tides come in now, a few years ago a ship cut the pier in two, but fortunately it was repaired.
The tides come in now, a few years ago a ship cut the pier in two, but fortunately it was repaired.
3264x2448
2009-06-26 12:32:10
 Local wildlife
Local wildlife
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2009-06-26 12:34:39
Buses connect at Hythe with the ferry to various places in the New Forest
Buses connect at Hythe with the ferry to various places in the New Forest
3264x2448
2009-06-26 12:53:25
 The electrical equipment in the cabs would indicate that both locomotives were built by Brush, Loghborough, possibly the smallest locos they ever built?
The electrical equipment in the cabs would indicate that both locomotives were built by Brush, Loghborough, possibly the smallest locos they ever built?
3264x2448
2009-06-26 12:54:08
 Hythe Pier head station, complete with overall roof and platform.
Hythe Pier head station, complete with overall roof and platform.
3264x2448
2009-06-26 13:06:52
© 1998-2009 Dave Hodkinson - All copyrights rest with the Author
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