R.o.B Narrow Gauge railways
The Jersey Railway
Introduction: Jersey like Alderney is part of the British Isles but has its own government and is the largest of the Channel Islands. Because of the size of the main town St Helier it became the obvious focal point for a railway in 1869. The Jersey Railway company limited was formed after 2 previous attempts for building a railway on the island were turned down.
The original line: was built to British standard gauge, running for 3 3/4 miles east from St Helier to St Aubin. It was officially opened on 25th October 1870. There were 5 2-4-0 tank engines to do the work of the line. In 1871 approval was given for the St Aubin and La Moye Railway and Granite Company to construct a line further west of the original one. This line was to be just less than 3 miles long and again to be of standard gauge.
The Narrow Gauge line: With a combination of sharp curves and steep gradients it was decided that the use of narrow gauge would be a much better choice so the line was built to 3ft 6in gauge. The first engine for this line was a Black Hawthorn 0-4-2 saddle tank and was delivered to the island in 1877. Unfortunately in 1878 the St Aubin railway was declared bankrupt. The Jersey railway company was also finding times difficult so after a while both companies merged and became the Jersey Railways company limited.
Conversion: The original Jersey railway from St Helier to St Aubin was converted to 3ft 6in gauge enabling through running top a new terminus at Corbiere. 5 New locos and 13 coaches had also been purchased to operate the line. However in 1896 the company again had financial difficulties and was taken over by the Jersey Railways and tramways companies limited. This new company took over 7 1/2 miles of line and 9 locos as a new engine had arrived 2 days before the purchase of the line. In 1906 electrification of the line was considered but unfortunately nothing was to come of this. If it had, then the line may well have stayed in open to the present day. Another steam engine was purchased from Andrew Barclay and was a far more powerful loco than its predecessors. During World War 1 as with most railway companies at the time the railway suffered badly with the minimum of repair and heavy military use with the movement of troops and war equipment.
After the war: bus services started up on the island and to try and compete with the efficiency of the buses, as the railway was still in quite a bad state, the company purchased a sentinel steam car and named it 'Pioneer No 1'. With the success of this vehicle a second was purchased in 1924. This signalled the start of the end of loco hauled trains on the railway as the railcars were found to be much more efficient than the locomotive counter parts. A third railcar was even purchased 2nd hand from the Jersey eastern railway which was a standard gauge line. However the purchase of these railcars though giving good service and good savings and profits did not hold off the demise of the railway due to higher car usage.
The End: Rail services were discontinued St Aubin to Corbiere between October and April from 1931 and from 1932 the same principal was applied to the St Helier to St Aubin section. However usages of the line diminished and then at the close of the 1936 season all rolling stock was put in to store in the station at St Aubin. Unfortunately either by accident or on purpose a fire destroyed the station and the stock inside. With this permission was given for the disbandment of the railway and the 4 locomotives and 3 railcars were sold for scrap.