Following the recently reported sale of former East Hayling Light Railway Mill Rythe four-wheeled carriage No 6“Joanna”, to the Old Kiln Light Railway at Farnham in Surrey, the Hayling Seaside Railway recently received an enquiry from the Great Bush Railway at Hadlow Down in Sussex, as to the possibility of acquiring further coaches. After much soul searching at the railway, it was decided to dispose of two further four-wheeled vehicles, and “Annabelle” and “Patricia” departed by road for pastures new on Saturday 7th March.

However work will soon commence at Hayling’s Beachlands Depot to re-expand the passenger fleet, with the construction of a new enclosed bogie coach, based on the design of our highly popular ‘Clock Saloon', “Lisa”. It is confidently expected that this new replacement carriage will be completed in time for the Christmas Santa Specials, when experience has shown a three car ‘fully enclosed’ train to be essential.

While many will no doubt lament the departure of the older coaches, “built in the closing years of the last century” (mid 1990’s!), which had great charm and sentimental value on account of the sterling service they gave both at EHLR Mill Rythe, and later on the earliest trains on the Hayling Seaside Railway. Experience has shown that the newer and longer ‘bogie’ stock is far more comfortable, and consequently more popular both with passengers and operating staff.