6th April 1873
Jersey Eastern Railway Company is registered
The Jersey Eastern Railway Company was registered on 6 April 1873 and immediately began construction of the line between St Helier and St Catherine’s. The first part opened exactly one year later, which is remarkable by modern standards. However, the section linking Gorey at St Catherine’s was never completed, and neither was the connection across St Helier. The capital therefore had two termini, and passengers had to change trains if journeying from one side of Jersey to the other.
No line was ever constructed along the north coast or up the middle of the island. Following the closure of Jersey’s two railways and the railway on Guernsey, Alderney now has the Channel Islands’ only working line.
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Other events that occured in April
Jersey votes to retain the death penalty
- The States of Jersey votes 22 to 28 in favour of retaining the death penalty when it debated the matter in April 1972.
- Read more…
Jersey Electricity Company is established
- Jersey Electricity was founded as the Jersey Electricity Company on 5 April 1924. It is the sole supplier of electricity to the island.
- Read more…
German staff wrongly dismissed during First World War
- The managers of a Jersey hotel were ordered to pay compensation after they dismissed staff when profits tumbled during the First World War.
- Read more…
Stranded fishermen are found on Minquiers
- Five fishermen went messing in March 1934 and were found early the following month sheltering on Les Minquiers.
- Read more…