Chichester (WS) - Selsey Town
Date Closed to Passenger Services
19 Jan 1935
Mileage Closed
7m 25c*
Stations Closed
Chichester (WS); Hunston; Chalder; Mill Pond Halt; Sidlesham; Ferry; Selsey Golf Links Platform (08/1914; to private); Selsey Bridge; Selsey Town
Services Operated
Chichester (WS) - Selsey Town
Timetable Reference
B 1213 Aug 1934 1079
Cobb Atlas Reference
40 85 04 - 86 93
Present Status
Dismantled
Map
RCH South of England 1906
Further Notes
West Sussex Light Railway.
There is some doubt and confusion as to the ACD of this line. It may well stem from the report in RM Mar 1935 p226 and the article 'The West Sussex Railway' in RM Apr 1935 p255, both of which declare the line was "abandoned on January 19". This could be interpreted as closure on and from this date, but some may well interpret it as being the last day of service.
RPSGB p540 clearly concurs with this latter interpretation but then goes on, complicating matters further, to quote from "RCH distance amendment 62/3" which says "line was closed 12 January 1935". A quote from the Portsmouth Evening News (17th) states "line will be closing at end of week (Sat 19/01/1935)" and that "no passengers had been carried that week". RPSGB states "Thus for passenger use 12th was relevant date". This suggests the last passenger train ran on Sat 12/01/1935.
CPLGB and DRS also quote ACD - Sun 20/01/1935. However, this date is problematic as no Sunday service was in operation, applying the 'on and from' principle, the ACD should be Mon 21/01/1935. Despite being independent to the end, was the SR policy of recording ACD as a Sunday regardless being applied?
As if this wasn't enough, C (Clinker) records ACD as 19/01/1935 in the Second Edition Aug 1964 but, according to RPSGB "Cl (Clinker 1988 edition) said clo 20th..." So clearly he had second thoughts....
For good measure DRS quotes ACD - 19/01/1935. Minor Standard Gauge Railways LP129 Kidner OP 1981 states "Closed 19/1/1935". RHRGB Vol.2 Southern England p104 states "It was closed from 19 January 1935..."
What this does highlight is the difficulty in ascertaining accurate dates, especially in pre-legislation years when railway companies could close lines more or less at will.
On the balance of probability, I plump for LTR - Sat 12/01/1935 and OCD - Sat 19/01/1935. I appreciate this is more than likely incorrect, and many will disagree. Unless and until further evidence emerges, in particular what happened during that last week, the debate will rage on........
Or maybe not.
*RCH SE 1906.
Page updated: 20/08/2022