25th October 1870
The first train runs on the Jersey Railway
The Jersey Railway Company, which owned a line between St Helier Weighbridge and Corbiere, ran its first services on 25 October 1870. It was separate from the Jersey Eastern Railway, which took passengers from St Helier Snow Hill to Gorey Pier and commenced operations three years later.
Initially, the railway only took passengers from its St Helier terminus to St Aubin, which perhaps explains why, despite the excitement of its opening, it wasn’t a financial success. Despite services continuing to run, the operating company was declared bankruptcy and sold several times over the years.
A second line
Although initially built to standard gauge, with a track width matching that on the mainland, the line was re-laid in the 1880s in a narrower format, and over time the network grew until, fifteen years after its first day of operation, it ran its first train as far as Corbiere.
Despite its financial problems, format changes and multiple owners, it operated for close to 70 years. However, by the 1930s it was struggling to remain viable as cars became more popular and, in a 1936 fire proved to be the last straw. The line finally closed and was bought by the States of Jersey, which pulled up the track.
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Other events that occured in October
Jersey holds its first modern marathon
- Jersey held its first modern marathon in 2006 when 300 long-distance runners set off on a route that took them across the island.
- Read more…
Printer and publisher John Guiton is born
- John Guiton acquired the Jersey Evening post very soon after its creation and his name has been associated with Channel Islands publishing ever since.
- Read more…
Jersey governor Walter Raleigh is executed in London
- Walter Raleigh was governor of Jersey between 1600 and 1603 and is responsible for giving Elizabeth Castle its name.
- Read more…
De La Salle College opens
- The Roman Catholic De La Salle College opened its doors to its first pupils at the start of autumn term, 1917, with a roll of just twelve.
- Read more…