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Rail transport in Guernsey

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There have been two railways within the state territories of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, a British Crown Dependency consisting of eight islands.

Guernsey

There are currently no railway services on the island of Guernsey. The Guernsey Railway, which was virtually an electric tramway which began working on 20 February 1892. It was abandoned on 9 June 1934. It replaced an earlier transport system which was worked by steam, and was named the Guernsey Steam Tramway. The latter began service on 6 June 1879 with six locomotives.[1]

Second World War

During the Occupation of the Channel Islands in the Second World War, 90 cm (35 in)[2] light railways were built by German engineers and the Organisation Todt in Guernsey to help build and supply coastal fortifications, such as Fort Hommet. The line ran from Saint Peter Port to L'Eree via St Sampson and L'Ancresse. This included railway sidings at L'Islet. [3]

There were spurs of 60 cm (24 in). No attempt was made to take the lines to the higher parishes.[4]: 200  All tracks were dismantled after the occupation.

Alderney

Main article: Alderney Railway

The Alderney Railway provides a rail link of approximately two miles, with a regular timetabled service during the summer months and at seasonal festivals including Easter and Christmas. It is now the only working railway on the Channel Islands to provide a public transport link. It is also one of the oldest railways in the British Isles, dating from 1847, and carried Queen Victoria and Prince Albert as the first 'official' passengers in 1857.[5]

There is also a 7+1⁄4 in (184 mm) gauge miniature railway on Alderney, which operates during the summer months.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ Notes on the Railway taken from The Railway Magazine, September 1934 edition
  2. ^ Railway Magazine October 1963 p. 746
  3. ^ http://www.occupied.guernsey.net/rambles.html
  4. ^ Cruickshank, Charles. The German Occupation of the Channel Islands. The History Press; New edition edition (30 Jun. 2004). ISBN 978-0750937498.
  5. ^ See references at the Island tourist website.
  6. ^ See miniature railway webpage here.
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