Southsea Railway

Railways in the Portsmouth area

Legend Portsmouth Direct Line to London Waterloo via Guildford West Coastway Line to Southampton West Coastway Line to Brighton & London Victoria Portchester Havant M27 Bedhampton Cosham A3(M) A27 Portsbridge Creek Hilsea Southsea Railway 1885-1914 Fratton Jessie Road Bridge Halt Albert Road Bridge Halt Portsmouth & Southsea East Southsea Admiralty Line to HMNB Portsmouth Portsmouth Harbour FastCat to Ryde Pier Head Gosport Ferry to Gosport

A 1910 Railway Clearing House map of lines around Portsmouth, showing the Southsea Railway

The Southsea Railway was a branch of the Portsmouth Direct Line, located in Portsmouth. It was opened in 1885 from Fratton Station, terminating at East Southsea Station (near to a road junction called The Strand). It was 1.25 miles long^[1] and almost completely level. Two unstaffed halts were added in 1904 at Albert Road and Jessie Road/Devonshire Avenue.^[2]

Tram competition

The line was not able to compete with the Portsmouth Corporation Transport tram services, despite the introduction of cheaper autocars.^[3] It was closed in August 1914 and never re-opened.

The route today

The line itself and the stations have since been demolished and replaced with houses and roads; however, it is possible to walk the approximate route, which is clearly visible on street maps of the area.^[4]

Alternative stations

Southsea is now served by stations at Fratton, Portsmouth & Southsea, and Portsmouth Harbour (also called The Hard), with regular trains to London Waterloo and coastway services.^[5]

Gallery

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  The train departed from the left platform

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  before curving round behind Francis Avenue.

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  until it approached the terminus just north of Granada Road.

References

1. Portsmouth Guide – the Southsea Railway
2. "The Southsea Railway" Robertson,K: Southampton, Kingfisher, 1985 ISBN 0-946184-16-X
3. History of GWR railmotors and autocoaches – Notes how the Southsea railmotor was borrowed for trials by the GWR
4. Robertson(Ibid)
5. ”Woking to Portsmouth” Mitchell,V/Smith,K: Midhurst, Middleton Press,1984 ISBN 978-0-906520-25-3 OCLC 60024110