Delivering goods on a wide range of vehicles, from the smallest parcel on a Sprinter van, right up to old steam engines on a HIAB truck, Sussex Transport is familiar with unusual loads!
This week we made another dedicated delivery of roofing materials to Hayling Island in Hampshire.
Hayling Island is a true island, completely surrounded by sea. A road bridge connects its northern end to the mainland of England at Langstone Harbour, near Portsmouth. Years ago there was also a railway line mounted on wooden stilts between the island and the mainland. (The remains of which can still be seen today)
The line was opened by the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway (LBSCR) for goods in January 1865 and for passengers in July 1867. It ran from Havant to Hayling Island station and was known as the Hayling Billy Line.
The Hayling Billy Line acquired its name early on in its life, with it coming indirectly from the Puffing Billy, one of the earliest steam locomotives. In those days expressions such as ‘going like Billy-o’ were commonplace, and several old steam lines around the world are referred to as Billy railways.
After its closure, steam locomotive ‘Hayling Billy’ was stationed just outside the pub on Hayling Island, by the same name. (A member of staff at Sussex Transport even remembers seeing it as she lived in neighbouring Langstone!) It was removed in the seventies and relocated on the Isle of Wight.
Sussex Transport is steaming ahead with deliveries and would love to hear from you ! Call us on 01903 751100 or email us at sales@sussextransport.com
