This is an excellent history of the subject, the first section of which opened in 1873, and which eventually closed in 1929, the same year buses were introduced to the island... It is recommended for anyone interested in the history of British island railways. This edition is 208 pages with photographs, drawings, illustrations and maps in the text. It is No. 143 in the Oakwood Press' Library of Railway History from 2007.
From the Author's Introduction:
"After many trials and tribulations, the Jersey Railway was opened in 1870, and immediately transformed the travelling habits of the local populace. Encouraged by the success of the railway along the south coast, another group of businessmen and local landowners promoted a railway the following year, to serve the east of the island along the route aborted in 1845, from St Hellier to St Catherine's."
"The Jersey Eastern Railway Company Limited was proposed essentially for passenger traffic but freight was also considered. Despite early objections, authority was granted by the States in 1872 and construction commenced the same year... the railway was opened from a temporary terminus at St Hellier, Green Street to Grouville on 6th August, 1873. A few weeks later the line was extended to Gorey, and in May 1874 to the permanent St Hellier terminus at Snow Hill, a location much nearer the centre of the town.The half-mile extension beyond Gorey Village, to Gorey Pier was not completed until 1891, whilst the proposed extension to St Catherine's was never built."
The Contents are -
P005: Introduction
P009: Jersey - An Explanation
P011: Advent of the Railway
P019: Construction of the Line
P029: The Early Years
P045: Extension and Consolidation
P069: The Fight for Survival
P087: Closure
P105: The Route Described
P131: Signalling, Civil Engineering and Staff
P143: Timetables and Traffic
P181: Locomotives and Rolling Stock
P207: Acknowledgements & Bibliography
P208: Index
Further Reading
THE JERSEY EASTERN RAILWAYTHE JERSEY RAILWAYJersey Eastern Railway and the German Occupation Lines in JerseyThe Guernsey Railway: The German Occupation Lines in Guernsey and the Aldernay Railway. (Library of Railway History)
