Jersey Eastern Railway
Map of former railways of Jersey
(Jersey Eastern Railway line in blue) |
|
Plaque at the former Snow Hill terminus in St Helier
|
|
| Locale | Jersey |
|---|---|
| Dates of operation | 1873–1929 |
| Track gauge | standard gauge |
| Length | 6.75 miles |
| Headquarters | St. Helier |
Coordinates: 49°10′55″N 2°06′25″W / 49.182°N 2.107°W
The Jersey Eastern Railway was a railway that began operations on 6 August 1873 in Jersey. The line closed on 21 June 1929. It is not to be confused with the Jersey Railway. It was always standard gauge. (4ft 8½ ins).
The Loi pour l'établissement d'un Chemin de Fer entre la Ville de St.-Hélier et Gorey was approved on 16 March 1871 (confirmed by Order in Council 19 March 1872), with 68 articles of the projet in the name of the Jersey Eastern Railway Company Limited. The law (repealed by the Statute Law Revision (No. 3) (Jersey) Law, 1966) authorised the railway from Snow Hill in St Helier, to Gorey and from there to St Catherine's Bay in St Martin, although the latter route was never begun. There was no mention of gauge. Article 54 of the projet was most significant in stating that any disagreement with property owners must be resolved by the Royal Court for consideration and decision, and the claimant could not cause work to cease by raising the clameur de haro (as had happened with the Jersey Railway construction).
On 15 May 1871, the committee appointed by the States met to consider objections by landowners; the majority were satisfied that they had received fair compensation.
The first turf was dug by Mrs Mourant, wife of Edward Mourant, the chairman of the Board of Directors, at a private ceremony on 17 September 1872. The line was opened on 6 August 1873, with a train of six carriages taking the States Members and their wives along the track to Grouville Station in 15 minutes.
The official opening of Gorey station was on 25 May 1891, to coincide with Queen Victoria’s birthday. The journey of just over six miles from St Helier cost 9d (old pence) first class return, 6d second class return.
...
Wikipedia