Like many much larger railways across Britain the Hayling Seaside Railway has been seriously affected by the recent severe weather with the service along the seafront between Beachlands and Eastoke Corner suspended completely on Monday 23rd December and on Christmas Eve. Strong winds and heavy rain making it difficult for both volunteer staff and intending customers to safely travel to and from Hayling Island.

However in the great British bulldog spirit we have carried on regardless and the line re-opened for business on Boxing Day. Fortunately little damage was done to the railway although it is clear that the line was flooded in the Bound Lane area at some time over Christmas. Services are now booked to run every day from 11am for the remainder of the school holiday until Sunday 5th January hauled by childrens favourite Jack the Seaside Engine.

However New Years Day will see Jack up early at 10am to haul a special Marketeer round trip to serve the regular Wednesday Market which weather permitting will be open for business as usual that morning. After which the Hampshire Narrow Gauge Railway Trusts veteran 1919 Bagnall steam locomotive Wendy will take over for a nostalgic day of Winter Seaside STEAM operating to our standard 45 minute interval timetable. Normal fares will apply on all dates whether steam or diesel trains are running.

Also to look foward to on New Years Day a touch of colourful Gallic charm will descend on Hayling Bay when the massed Citroen 2CVs of the Pompey Puddleducks and Fils de Vitesse classic car clubs (the latter somewhat optimistically translates as the Daughters of Speed!) descend on Beachlands station for their traditional annual pilgrimage to Hayling Island. A sight to blow away the remaining seasonal cobwebs and certainly not to be missed!

The railway and its volunteers will make every effort to ensure that services run to schedule on all of our published running dates but in view of the unsettled nature of the forecast weather over the next few days intending passengers are strongly advised to contact our Duty Manager on 07775 696912 before travelling. Free car parking is currently available throughout the winter in car parks near to our Beachlands Mengham Road and Eastoke Corner light railway stations.

(Photo by Andrew Rose: Hayling Railway volunteers are a hardy lot! In the teeth of a gale steam locomotive footplatemen Tony Dean Alex Luckam and Max Cathcart brace themselves against the wind rain and cold in the open cab of steam locomotive Wendy).