Jersey Railway
Map of former railways of Jersey
(Jersey Railway line in red) |
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Plaque on old St Helier terminus
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| Locale | Jersey |
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| Dates of operation | 1870–1936 |
| Track gauge | standard gauge until 1884 then 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm). |
| Length | 7 3⁄4 miles (12.5 km) |
| Headquarters | Saint Helier |
Coordinates: 49°11′10″N 2°06′25″W / 49.186°N 2.107°W
The Jersey Railway was opened in 1870 and was originally a standard gauge railway, 3 3⁄4 miles (6.0 km) long, in Jersey in the Channel Islands. Converted to narrow gauge in 1884 and extended giving a length of 7 3⁄4 miles (12.5 km), the line closed in 1936. It is not to be confused with the Jersey Eastern Railway.
In 1864 the States of Jersey passed a law authorising the construction of the island's first railway. This standard gauge line was constructed, connecting St. Helier to St. Aubin, and the first train ran 25 October 1870. This railway was not a success and the company declared bankruptcy in 1874. The railway continued to operate but passed through a succession of proprietors until 1883.
Meanwhile, the owner of a granite quarry near La Moye had petitioned to build a railway linking his quarry to St. Aubin. This law passed in June 1871 and the St Aubin & La Moye Railway commenced construction to the narrow gauge of 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm). This line too, ran into financial problems and although construction trains ran on the section from La Moye to Pont Marquet, the company declared bankruptcy in 1878 before completion or opening to the public.
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