Protests when our railway came to the end of the line
Having a train line in the Midhurst area may seem foreign to some of the younger generation, but for those who cast their minds back 54 years, passenger trains would have been a regular sight in the South Downs.
It was February 5, 1955 when two specially laid on passenger trains made their last journeys from Midhurst station to Petersfield and Pulborough.
The closure of the railway meant the end of nearly a century of railway history.
There were strong protests made at the time to keep the line open, but those efforts were in vain as the service, which was reportedly losing 31,400 a year, had to close.
It was estimated an average of only nine passengers were travelling on each train.
The railway started in three parts, with three railway companies involved.
In 1859, the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway extended its Three Bridges to Horsham branch line as far as Petworth.
Five years later the Petersfield Railway opened a line from Petersfield to Midhurst and the connection of Midhurst with Petworth was the work of the Mid-Sussex and Midhurst Junction Railway.
The two main stations along the line were at Midhurst and Petworth. Smaller stations were at Elsted, Rogate, Selham and Fittleworth.
The nationalisation of the railway in 1948 spelled the end for many of the smaller and unprofitable branch lines.
Although the passenger line closed in 1955 the freight service carried on until May 20, 1966.
At one time it was one of the busiest in southern England and the stations had large staffs.
It would have been a common sight to see milk carts drawn up each morning and evening, ready to load into the rail vans on the milk dock.
Sand and stone from nearby quarries and a large quantity of timber also went by rail, but in its last years the line was mainly used to transport sugar beet from the farms.
The trains also used to haul in 30 to 40 horseboxes for the annual polo week at Cowdray Park.
Royal visitors frequently used the line because of the Goodwood racing, and the friendship between King Edward V11 and Mr James at West Dean Park.
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Tuesday 14 February 2012
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