v THE HERALD - OUR 31ST YEAR - 1994-2025 v 13th March 2025 • The HERALD • Page 23 Waterside Carpet Cleaning PROFESSIONAL CARPET CLEANING! Using Prochem Equipment and Materials • SPOT/STAIN TREATMENT • Fully Insured 023 8066 0878 or 07770 337917 www.watersidecarpetcleaning.com Will be opening a new shop in Dibden Purlieu in early April 2025 They have vacancies for self-employed barbers earning up to 60% and ladies hairdressers receiving up to 60% of their takings. Please telephone Rob Roe on 07778 814934 for a discreet discussion Internal & External Decorating Wallpapering & Dustless Sanding FULLY INSURED PROFESSIONAL PAINTER & DECORATOR MARK 1 PROPERTY MAINTENANCE The next Herald is out on 3rd April Pier Train Luggage Truck Restoration e luggage truck employed on the Hythe Pier Railway is owned (as is the rest of the locomotives and rolling stock) by the Hythe Pier Heritage Association (HPHA), having been gi ed in 2023 by previous owner Blue Funnel Ferries, and is leased for operation on the world’s oldest continuously electric train operating on a pier, to the Hythe and Southampton Ferry Company. It was withdrawn from service during early February for restoration, a part of HPHA’s continuing programme of restoration projects for the Hythe Pier Railway. It was constructed in 1909, one of two, for the transportation of “heavy goods and passenger’s luggage” along the 640 metres length of Hythe Pier. Propulsion was by manpower along tracks sunk into the decking on the north side of the structure in May 1909. e work was carried out by Marchwood builder E J Kingham, who was also a local undertaker. e “tramway” rst operated in July 1909. e Hampshire Independent dated 31st July 1909 records: “the new tramway on the pier is now in use and luggage and goods are conveyed up and down on a couple of up-todate trolleys”. e same publication reported in its 12th February electric railway along the pier. e luggage trucks were modi ed for the wider gauge raised track installed on the south side in 1921. e electric railway, drawing power from a third rail, commenced operating in July 1922. e surviving truck di ers very little from its original design. e other truck was shunted from the pier into the water. In a letter to railway engineer Gerald Yorke dated 24th August 1922, Mr Percy explained how, just weeks a er the railway was inaugurated, that “the train pushed the luggage truck over the end of the pier”. No record can be found of any recovery. Restoration of the luggage truck is anticipated to be completed by late Spring/ early summer. Hand trolley circa 1909 1910 edition: “The tramway laid down on the pier for the conveyance of heavy goods and passenger’s luggage has proved of great advantage”. Although not as originally intended, ferry passengers and promenaders were occasionally a orded a “li ”. In 1920, Mr omas Percy, then owner of the pier and ferry boats, saw an opportunity to install an Luggage truck (Photo: Alan Titheridge) Celebrating Spring: Symphony, Serenades & Waltzes Solent Concert Orchestra’s next concert ‘Celebrating Spring: Symphony, Serenades & Waltzes’ takes place on Saturday 15th March, 7.30pm at St Michael & All Angels Church in Lyndhurst. Tickets are £10 on the door or in advance from www. bit.ly/sco-spring.
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