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Piers - Cliff Lifts - Miniature Railway
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This page shows images of the piers, cliff lifts, and
miniature railway at Hastings, St Leonards & Bexhill.
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- railway official website
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Pier - Cliff Lift - Miniature Railway
All images link to larger
copies which will open in a new window/tab
Hastings Pier
Construction
on Hastings Pier started on 18th December 1869. It was opened
by the Earl of Granville, Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports on
Monday, 5th August 1872. Designed by the famous engineer Eugenius
Birch, at a cost of £23,250, the original pier was modelled
on Brighton West Pier. Unlike Brighton, however, a very handsome
oriental style pavilion, capable of seating 2000 people comfortably,
was constructed at the seaward end. The pier was 910ft (275m)
long and varied in width from 45ft (13.6m) to 190ft (57.5m).
On the approach to the pavilion, a flight of steps either side
of the building led down to the landing stages, each 200ft (60.6m)
long by 8ft (2.4m) wide. In 1885 a further landing stage was
built at a cost of £2,000.
During the early
part of the 20th century, many small buildings were erected on
Hastings Pier to house various leisure facilities. In 1910/1911
a shooting gallery and slot machines were installed, and in 1912
a rifle range and bowling alley were added. In 1913 the shoreward
end of Hastings Pier, known as the 'parade extension', was sold
to the local council to finance a new arcade, shops and tearooms.
On 15th July 1917 the pavilion was destroyed by fire, eventually
being replaced by a much less elaborate structure in 1922. A
shoreward end pavilion was built in 1926, embellished by an art
deco façade in the 1930s.
Hastings was
sectioned during the Second World War for fear of German invasion,
cutting off the main pier structure from the shore promenade.
Although suffering some bomb damage, Hastings Pier was reopened
in 1946. In 1951 and 1956 the solariums were built, and in 1960
a Townsend hovercraft operated from the pier head. In 1966 the
council constructed the 'Tridome' on the parade extension to
celebrate the 900th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings. The
parade extension and Tridome came back into the ownership of
the pier company two years later in 1968. In the following year
the Tridome was converted to an amusement arcade.
A decline in
the pier's fortunes was experienced during the last two decades,
despite various owners trying to make it a viable concern. Rejected
for millennium funding in 1996, Hastings Pier was put up for
sale for £3.5m, and was closed to the public. Although
having been purchased by new owners for a short time, and once
again opened, Hastings Pier now finds itself once again closed
to the public.
Early postcards
of Hastings Pier showing the original simple entrance and uncluttered deck
The original pavilion had four onion domes
Hastings Pier later received additional attractions
along the deck
The multi-sided building was a 'Joy Wheel' - large
roundabout which spins around faster and faster
People fly off and the last one on is the winner - sounds extremely
dangerous
There is a photo in Martin Easdown's book Piers of Sussex (History Press)
Beyond is a building showing animated pictures. What fun they had.
Later postcards
of Hastings Pier showing the 1914 landward 'Parade Extension' with bandstand
and enclosed seatin
The original pavilion was burnt down in 1917 - aerial
view after the evnt
The burnt out pavilion was
replaced by this simple design in 1922
Postcard
of a P&A Campbell paddle steamer arriving at Hastings Pier
The 1922 pavilion was remodelled in more ornate
fashion with twin towers
The 1966 the 'Tridome' was installed in place of the
bandstand with a 900th anniversary exhibition of the 1066 invasion
The Tridome was later converted into an amusement hall - The second card
shows how the deck was now almost totally enclosed
2009 Images
Images of the closed Hastings Pier in 2009 - a
depressing sight, but substantially intact and worse was to come
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 28th October 2009
2012 Images
Images of the closed Hastings Pier in 2012 -
following the pavilion fire and the start of building demolition
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2012
Hastings West Hill Cliff
Lift
The West Hill Cliff
Railway, or West Hill Lift, runs largely in tunnel, and provides access
to Hastings Castle and St Clement's Caves from George Street, on the
town's sea front. The West Hill overlooks the sea to the south, the Old
Town to the east, and the current central business district of Hastings
to the west. The tunnel makes photography extremely difficult,
particularly since the cars pass each other in the tunnel.
The line is owned and operated by Hastings Borough Council and has the
following technical parameters:
Length: 500 feet (150 m)
Height difference: 170 feet (52 m)
Gradient: 33%
Cars: 2
Capacity: 16 passengers per car
Configuration: Double track
Gauge: 6 feet (1.8 m)
Traction: Electricity
Construction of the line was started in 1889 by a private operator, the
Hastings Lift Company. The line met with local opposition, which meant
that the work took longer to complete than originally envisaged, and
construction costs were over 50% higher than envisaged. The line finally
opened in 1891, and was originally powered by a gas engine.
The first operator went bankrupt in 1894, probably as a result of the
construction delays and cost overrun. The Hastings Passenger Lift
Company took over and operated the line until 1947, when Hastings
Borough Council bought the line. It was converted to electric operation
in 1971. To mark the railway's centenary year, the line was fully
refurbished in 1991. The West Hill Lift is complemented by the
East Hill Cliff Lift,
giving visitors access to Hastings Country Park
Ref: wikipedia.com
Images of the West Hill Cliff
Lift
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 14th April 2007
Having failed to get much
in the way of images in 2007. I tried again in October 2012. Following
the accident on the East Hill Lift (a few weeks after my visit in 2007),
Health & Safety enforcement is excessive and passengers can go nowhere
near the lift access areas when the cabins are moving. It is even more
difficult to photograph now, but because it was very quiet compared to
2007, I could get some interior shots of the cars.
Images of the West Hill Cliff
Lift lower station
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2012
Images of the West Hill Cliff
Lift upper station - just a doorway alongside a cafe
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2012
Images of the West Hill Cliff
Lift car interiors
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2012
Images of the West Hill Cliff
Lift upper station - seen from the beach
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2012
The West Hill Cliff
Railway gives access to Hastings Castle, although the best views of the
castle are from the promenade.
Before or immediately after landing in England in 1066 William of
Normandy ordered three fortifications to be built, Pevensey Castle in
September 1066, Hastings (before the Battle of Hastings) and Dover, a
few days after the battle. Hastings Castle was originally built as a
motte-and-bailey castle near the shore. In 1070 William had issued
orders for the Castle to be rebuilt in stone, along with the St Mary's
Chapel. The construction of Hastings Castle is depicted in the Bayeux
Tapestry.
The Count of Eu held the castle for most of the Norman period, but King
John ordered that the castle be destroyed to prevent it falling into the
hands of the Dauphin Louis. In 1220, Henry III re-fortified the castle.
In 1287 violent storms battered the south coast for many months and the
soft sandstone cliffs eventually succumbed to the elements. Large
sections of the face fell into the sea along with parts of the castle.
In 1339 and 1377, the town was attacked by the French leaving many burnt
buildings which included homes. Throughout the next century erosion was
unchecked and gradually more of the castle was lost to the sea. The mid
16th century saw the castle receive another blow as Henry VIII
commissioned that all Catholic monasteries were to be destroyed and this
left the site in decay for many years. After that the site was purchased
by the Pelham family and used for farming until the ruins had become so
overgrown they were virtually lost from memory.
During World War II, the castle received more damage as Hastings was a
target for bombing raids. In 1951 Hastings Corporation purchased the
site and converted it into a tourist attraction.
Ref: wikipedia.com
Hastings Castle seen from the promenade
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2012
East Hill Cliff Railway, or East Hill Lift provides access to Hastings
Country Park via the East Hill, which overlooks the Old Town and
Rock-a-Nore, an area to the east of Hastings. The line provides views
over the Stade, home to the largest beach launched fishing fleet in
Europe.
The line is owned and operated by Hastings Borough Council and has the
following technical parameters:
Length: 267 feet (81 m)
Gradient: 78%
Cars: 2
Capacity: 16 passengers per car
Configuration: Double track
Gauge: 5 feet (1.5 m)
Traction: Electricity
The line was opened in 1903 by Hastings Borough Council. The line was
originally operated on the water balance principle, and the twin towers
of the upper station contained water tanks for this purpose. The line
was modernised between 1973 and 1976, during which time it was converted
to electric operation and new cars were provided.
The line was shut in June 2007 because of an incident where a fault in a
control panel caused the cars to fail to stop at the correct point,
resulting in damage to both cars and stations. In 2008, Hastings Borough
Council decided on a major refurbishment involving new cars and new
control and safety systems, together with repairs to the damaged
stations. The line reopened in March 2010.
Following the closure of lines in Broadstairs and Margate, the East Hill
Cliff Railway is now the steepest funicular railway in the United
Kingdom. It is complemented by the
West Hill Cliff Railway,
giving visitors access to Hastings Castle and the Smugglers Adventure in
St. Clements Caves.
Ref: wikipedia.com
Postcards of Hastings East Hill Cliff Lift
Images of Hastings East Hill Cliff Lift
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 14th April 2007
View of Hastings from the top of the East Hill
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 14th April 2007
Hastings Miniature Railway
The 10.25 inch gauge Hastings Miniature Railway operates
at the Stade from Rock-a-Nore to Marine Parade, and has provided tourist
transport since 1948, after running the previous year at neighbouring St
Leonards. The equipment came from Lord Downshire's railway at
Easthampstead Park. The railway initially ran just 250yards and was
operated on the push-pull principle. In 1950 it was lengthened westwards
by 100yards and a passing loop was installed to run the locos round. In
1957 a further extension west alongside the boating lake was opened to
the current terminus. The previous terminus loop remains but only one
line is used.
The two Easthampstead locos included a GWR outline freelance 0-6-0,
originally built in 1934 as an 0-6-0PT, and rebuilt in 1946 before
coming to Sussex. It had run on the Surrey Border & Camberwell until
1938 and then on Colonel Tyrrell's line at New Romney. It was rebuilt
again in 1951. Numbered 3007, it
is named Firefly and had
various liveries in its career including green and yellow. The second
Easthampstead loco was an impressive
Royal Scot 4-6-0 built by
Bassett-Lowke in 1938, before moving to New Romney c.1946.
A third loco was a GWR outline 4-6-0 Hampton Court, built by
Twinings for Dudley Zoo, but also working at Nottingham. None of these
three steam locos remain on the railway.
Current locos include No.31
Swee'Pea which is a 1990 Alan Keef 0-6-0 diesel-hydraulic of
narrow gauge outline. There is also a
US-outline Bo-Bo diesel No.4
Speedy Fizzle, plus other diesels Uncle Jim and
Jerry Lee.
The railway was considerably restored and
re-opened in 2010.
Royal Scot
Postcard of Hastings Miniature Railway - Royal
Scot
No.3007 Firefly
Postcard of Hastings Miniature Railway - No.3007Firefly
No.31 Swee'Pea
Hastings Miniature Railway - No.31 Swee'Pea
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 14th April 2007
No.4 Speedy Fizzle
Hastings Miniature Railway - No.4 Speedy
Fizzle at Rock-a-Nore Station
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2012
Hastings Miniature Railway - No.4 Speedy
Fizzle en route between Rock-a-Nore and Marine Parade
Stations
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2012
Hastings Miniature Railway - No.4 Speedy
Fizzle at Marine Parade
Stations
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 4th October 2012
Hasting Beach Fishing Boats
Hastings claims that it has the largest beach
fishing fleet in Europe. Boats are launched and recovered on the beach
using a large collection of Track Marshall excavators, and a solitary
Fiat.
Fishing Boats
Images of the Hastings beach fishing fleet
Track Marshalls...
Images of the Hastings beach Track Marshalls -
used for pushing boats into the water and towing them out
...and a Fiat
Images of the Hastings beach Fiat
