(Details extracted from the book of the same name by David Lee, Alan Taylor, Rob Shorland-Ball).
Description
The Southwold Railway was a single track, three foot gauge railway. It was just over eight miles in length, running from Halesworth (connections to London) leading across heathland and marshes to the coastal town of Southwold.
Time Line
1855 A proposal for a rail link to Southwold by the Mayor of Southwold, Alfred Lillingston was rejected.
1856 On the 11th October a meeting, which continued to emphasise that a railway and improvements to the harbour would greatly improve the prosperity of the local fishing industry and the welfare of the town of Southwold proved to be again unsuccessful.
1859 A further representation was made by the people of Southwold to East Suffolk Railway. It was rejected on the grounds that the ESR were not convinced branch lines were remunerative.
1862 The East Suffolk Railway was absorbed by and became part of the Great Eastern Railway, which owned and operated most of the railway lines in East Anglia.
1865 Blyth Valley Railway Co., was created and proposed to build a standard gauge line connecting with the East Suffolk Railway (now Great Eastern Railway) at Halesworth – roughly following the course of the River Blyth to Southwold.
1866 A parliamentary bill was presented in the Autumn of 1866 but unfortunately rejected.
1875 Blyth Valley Railway Co., made a third attempt to promote their scheme on 30th November 1875
Proposed :
Construction of a main line of 8 miles 63.5 chains from Halesworth, through Wenhaston & Blythburgh to Southwold. Within 5 years branches to the River Blyth Navigation at Halesworth Quay of 3 furlongs, 84 chains and to Blackshore Quay at Southwold of 2 furlongs, 30 links were also authorized.
Gauge – not less than 2 ft 6 inches
Light earthworks and simple signalling to provide speeds of less than 25 mph – loads limited and a journey time 30 minutes – Maximum number of passengers 100.
Mr J C Wall argued that a 3 foot gauge would allow for extra carrying capacity, which would offset the expected increase in constructional costs – the project was finally approved.
1878 Construction began in May 1878.
1879 Original Swing Bridge constructed just above Blackshore Quay, upstream from Southwold Harbour.
1879 Inspection by the Board of Trade on 19th September 1879.
1879 The Official Opening of the Southwold Railway on 24th September. (At the time Wenhaston was the only intermediate station completed). The Opening Gala included horse & foot races and other sports, also fireworks and general illuminations. Unfortunately, the day before the weather had been excessively wet, growing in intensity during the afternoon. Consequently, the lowlands close to the line were flooded. On the arrival of the second train from Southwold at Wenhaston the water had risen so rapidly, Mr Pain, the engineer, thought it prudent not to continue on to Halesworth. However, the weather during the opening ceremony was favourable and the floods began to subside. A regular service commenced the next day – Thursday 25th September.
Unlike many light and narrow gauge railways the Southwold Railway did not suffer from overburdening financial difficulties. However, the Company’s resources were modest, so funds needed to be carefully managed. The cost of the line, originally estimated at £30,000 proved to be nearly £90,000, due to the chosen wider 3 foot gauge, the cost of a swing bridge to cross the River Blyth and an over optimistic original estimate.
1879 Blythburgh Station, situated 4 miles, 70 chains from Halesworth opened in December 1879.
1880 A necessary Board of Trade Licence was obtained but in a confusion over the railway’s status the license granted only allowed for a specified speed limit of 16 mph. This was not a problem initially but as motor transport developed it gradually began to impact on the railways commercial and passenger use.
1882 Walberswick Station opened on 1st July 1882. It had very basic in amenities, consisting of a small, combined booking office and waiting room (12ft x 6 ft) with an adjoining urinal.
1902 Walberswick Station was enlarged. A 42ft x 10ft wooden framed corrugated iron clad building on a concrete base was provided which offered a booking/clerk’s office, a large parcels office, a waiting room and toilet facilities.
1907 A rebuilt, widened, Swing Bridge was opened in September 1907.
1913 Authorization to create a Harbour Branch line at Southwold was given by the Board of Trade on 25th September 1913.
1914- 1918 During WW1 Southwold’s holiday trade ceased along with the fishery trade. The line did however provide very useful transport for materials used in the construction of sea-shore defence works. The line had virtually been handed over to the War Department. Large numbers of troops were stationed in the area due its vulnerability as a possible invasion target.
1914 Messrs. Hoard Farrow of Brixton were appointed to construct the branch line contacted date – 12th August 1914.
1915 The Harbour Branch Line was passed by the Board of Trade for goods and mineral traffic.
1916 On the 13th January severe gales caused significant damage on the Harbour Branch line.
1917 Board of Trade approved permanently the Harbour Branch line suitable for the conveyance of passengers, with three conditions.
- The line should only be used during daylight.
- The turnout to Blackshore Quay siding be padlocked.
- The line worked by one engine in steam.
1921 The Railway Act (known as the Grouping Act) was initiated by the Government and passed by parliament. The Southwold Railway was not included in the provisions of the Act and remained independent of the LNER. The railway continued through the early 1920’s offering a variety of reduced fare tickets during the summer months to attract business.
1926 The Railway experienced a sudden drop in passengers, due to the improved frequency of the Eastern Counties Road Car Company’s bus service.
1928 The Railway was beginning to struggle. A meeting in November 1928 discussed the following problems:-
The North British Locomotive Company was demanding settlement for the cost of a new boiler for the No 3 Southwold Engine
Mr W Doy had given up his omnibus standage in the Southwold Station yard. It was taken over by Belcher & Son who was supplying a taxi to meet all trains.
Messrs Moy (Coal Merchants) were giving up their tenancy at Blythburgh Station.
Adnams were giving up the advertising spaces on all the carriages.
Lowestoft Coaling Co gave up their tenancy at Walberswick Station because of the poor condition of the cart track between the station and the village.
Shell Mex gave up their agency at Halesworth Station.
1929 At a meeting of the East Suffolk Finance Committee on 26th March, Mr P C Loftus warned the committee ‘the Southwold Railway is approaching extinction’.
1929 After much discussion it was agreed to close the Southwold Railway. The last passenger train left Southwold at 5.23pm on Thursday 11th April 1929. Despite the bitterly cold weather, several hundred people gathered at Southwold Station to give the packed train, carrying 150 people, a rousing send off.