Alderney's Lost Railway

It's the Bonus Alderney video! The line used to go further, and the tracks are mostly still there so I went for a short walk to follow the way of where it extends past Braye Road, down towards the quayside ...
The Alderney Railway website with schedule and all the further information you need is at: www.alderneyrailway.gg/
If you want to GO to Alderney, start with the 'VisitAlderney' website at: www.visitalderney.com/
With huge thanks to additional photos from LS/YourIslandPhotography.

[@robertstorey7476]

Alderney having a railway was incredibly unlikely but also having a further lost railway is just the stuff of dreams.

[@88kristina]

It's a dream until Geoff does a vid on it.

[@moe_dk]

It even have a third, and least used station, which I assume is a request stop.

[@kbtred51]

When is the first Underground run in the Prinicipality ?

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Geoff doing a parody of his brand of videos is what I’m here for.

[@PianoKwanMan]

Toutes les Gares!

[@stephenlee5929]

How many steps was it from the lower to the upper breakwater, was it the equivalent of 15 floors?

[@ajh635]

I spent much of my childhood in the 1980s on Alderney and that bought back many memories, thank you. I remember the line along the top of the breakwater was still in use then, but not very often.

[@ItsGeorgeHuh]

My grandparents still live here - I don't think much has changed!

[@PoppinJay]

The Whitewicks are going to be so jealous.

[@RCassinello]

I'd thought this was going to be a look at the dismantled branch that headed slightly north of the "main" line over at the east end of the island - guess you'll have to back sometime and do that! :)

[@MrPaulFCockburn]

Ah, they built train engines well back in those days! Reminds me how the locomotive which crashed into the River Tay when the original bridge collapsed (NBR no. 224, a 4-4-0 designed by Thomas Wheatley and built at Cowlairs Works in 1871) was salvaged, repaired, and remained in service until 1919-it was nicknamed "The Diver", for obvious reasons.

[@caw25sha]

It fell in the sea, a 4-4-0, And everyone said "oh no", But they got a crane and fished it out, And there was much jubilation all about. (Apologies to William McGonagall)

[@Michael75579]

@@caw25sha May his name be remembered for a very long time

[@aimanbaghiani]

Geoff, I love your videos! I used to live in Jersey which also has a discontinued railway connection there too! The "railway walk" is a designated route between St Aubin to Corbiere and they replaced it with a gravel track that runs most of the way through. There is still a percentage of the population who aren't even aware that it existed. I would love to hear your take on it!

[@fdsdh1]

I went to Alderney for a day once and there was a massive storm, the waves do go right over the top it is an impressive sight. The harbour would be unusable without it.

[@stevebarlow3154]

The harbour is pretty much unusable if there are strong winds from the north east. The Admiralty were too arrogant to take local advice when building the breakwater, the result being the breakwater is the wrong design and points in the wrong direction. It used to be much longer, but half of it fell down during a bad storm not long after it was built!

[@Techie_v2]

Presumably the small section of double track was just there as a passing loop

[@CBeaumontHIGTFY]

More likely a run round loop. On very old timetables that was called "Inner Harbour".

[@hogikat42]

IT'S REALLY WINDY!

[@stuarthall6631]

It's a pity that the running line for the Northern Line Tube train cannot be extended out on the breakwater. From a distance it would look slightly like Ryde Pier used to (until 03 January!).

[@grendel_nz]

Consider the constant maintenance of the rusting tracks. Expensive.

[@DavidShepheard]

Aside from the fact that a big wave would knock the train off of the breakwater and drown anyone on the train, there is also the fact that a road has been built on some of the old train tracks. And that would be a health and safety risk, in itself.

[@cmdrquillon9398]

​@@jamescrab4110 Water is deceptive. When you look at a massive spray, you might think "oh, that's just spray, not much water there", when in reality there could be tonnes upon tonnes of water in the air. That being said... In reality, in the sort of weather that would build waves big enough to climb that breakwater, the winds howling over said breakwater would be incredibly strong. Both wind and wave combined would almost certainly be enough to sweep a relatively light two carriage train off the tracks and into the sea, or at least shatter its windows and hydrolock the engine in the loco, along with possibly slightly derailing the consist. That said, while the weather on those islands is changeable, it isn't one-second-to-the-next changeable. They'd have plenty of warning - five to fifteen minutes' worth - to get a train off the breakwater and back to safe land. Provided they only operated the train as far as the head of the breakwater when the weather conditions were suitable, the risk from inclement weather and therefore waves would be little to none. The main issue I can see is corrosion of the tracks, along with the price of installing new tram-style recessed tracks - the most practical design, to avoid damage from water - along the top of the breakwater to replace the existing unserviceable ones, which would require the entire top surface of the breakwater being replaced. However, track corrosion could be avoided, as the weight of the train would likely not be sufficient to warrant steel rails - even at full capacity - allowing for tracks made of lighter materials such as aluminium, which doesn't rust.

[@171trains]

Looks quite cold 🥶

[@stevebarlow3154]

It's usually warmer than the UK south coast, but as the video showed, it can be very windy.

[@171trains]

@@stevebarlow3154 yup I guess the Channel Islands are in the middle of the channel

[@stevebarlow3154]

@@171trains Actually they're not, they were misnamed! Jersey and Guernsey and their associated islands, islets and reefs are in the Bay of St. Malo. Alderney is the only Channel Island that is in the English Channel.

[@171trains]

@@stevebarlow3154 really confusing 😂

[@stevebarlow3154]

@@171trains Yes, the French call them Les Isles Anglo-Normande which is probably more accurate.

[@Drawyah]

Watching this from the end of the Alderney Breakwater now, loving the historical facts!

[@obroni]

We have found a quantity of stone to be quarried, but we need a way to ship it off the island. OK then, you should build an enormously long breakwater, using the stone from the quarry. . . . OK we’ve finished the breakwater. It’s amazing: one of the longest in the world. One problem… there’s no more stone at the quarry.

[@johnavery15]

Last time I was on Alderney the Quarry was the rubbish tip!

[@CBeaumontHIGTFY]

I think that's now on the cliff's on the south of the island near the scrap yard. There are some interesting "vehicles" in there it has to be said!

[@Gassit]

The Isle of Wight used to have a very extensive rail network. I know you've done all the stations there but are there any lost railways left ?

[@geoffhaggett3080]

Fred, they never went to the Isle of Wight, it was all filmed on green screen!

[@juanescobar8123]

He has done a video on the history of the Isle of Wight railways

[@highpath4776]

There was a bit that was unused at Bembridge, that should have been restored

[@srfurley]

There have recently been proposals which I think were serious to re-build the line from Sandown to Newport with a new curve at the Sandown end heading North towards Ryde rather than South as the original line did. The Idea was to run a Ryde to Newport service, via Sandown rather than via Havenstreet. The route was said to be unobstructed but the cost just for reinstating the line was put at, I think, £67m, plus the cost of additional trains etc. This combined with much opposition from locals and the lack of a station site in Newport makes it highly unlikely to happen I think.

[@highpath4776]

@@srfurley Would something like 3ft Guage( is that one of the Isle of Man sizes?) , fit easier, or would that be seen as a toy rather than a practical transit solution ?- Extention to Ventor I would have though would have given the best economic rate of return for wight rail

[@thomasedwards5700]

Some years ago I spotted what looked like a rail amongst grass on the corner of a road in Farnborough Hampshire but dismissed it. Later I discovered i was correct and it was in fact a "lost railway" to the old Royal Aircraft Establishment at the airport which ran down the middle of the residential road. You can still see where the tracks ran along the road surface on a sunny day!

[@timbounds7190]

Blimey Geoff! You're a typical Londoner - no idea what bad weather is! Slightest breeze is a raging storm, and 3 flakes of snow a blizzard! I've some hazy recollection that the preserved railway used to run down to the harbour, though presumably not all along the breakwater!

[@chriswall4795]

I can remember the train on the breakwater in c 1972/3 ... our rented bungalow had a view out to the bay and the breakwater.

[@matthewdunderdale8685]

It's really windy!!

[@TheNapalmFTW]

Yessssss thank you Geoff. Your videos make me happy and homesick in equal measure

[@bobbynoggin]

Meet the Islanders - Donald  Guide, bellringer and volunteer Donald... moves chairs, meets and greets, rings bells. 'Don’t believe a word he says' is what some holiday makers are implored from a passing motorist as I lead a small group of visitors around our historic town of St Anne. Well, Alderney’s heritage is ‘unbelievable’; who would suspect this tiny Island to have a Roman fort, unique Victorian defences, or a modest cottage to contain a stone fireplace circa 1300 AD? The history and architecture of the Island is what first attracted me to come to live here in 2005 and very soon I volunteered to guide interested groups around the town. Like many other retired residents who make up the ‘Dads Army’ of volunteers I find no two days are ever the same. Alderney, with a population of approximately 2000, can certainly outperform any similar sized village in terms of talent and enthusiasm and the multitude of events all need back-of-house support. My involvement spans working with the theatre group behind the scenes; ‘meet and greet’ at our regular music concerts (classical, jazz, cabaret) and stack the chairs afterwards... or to simply support whatever is going on. I live in the centre of St Anne, overlooking our beautiful church, another heritage gem designed by Sir George Gilbert-Scott, and the sound of our original six bells stirred my interest. I will never be a good bellringer but now part of the band ringing on our recently installed twelve bells is a real pleasure... when you get it right! I can also be found digging on my allotment, showing visitors around the lighthouse or walking the coastal path, especially the southern cliffs. I presume you are reading this with a view to visiting; well come on over, it’s a great island, or come and live here just like I did. If you want to be a train driver, star in a show, or sail a boat and are not ready to ‘retire’ I know a place for you. There is an allotment in Alderney ! Ask Donald ! From the Visit Alderney website.

[@julialafene5447]

We lived on Alderney in the 1950s & my father until 1992. My brother used to fish off the end of the breakwater in good weather & we often walked on it. The railway ran in summer- looks much better now thanks to dedicated people. Hope to come back one more time to the place where I spent a happy childhood.

[@anniesoernym]

Thank you for prioritising staying safe, Geoff! Gorgeous video and an island I have decided to definitely visit due to it. Maybe "wind" is the allotments of Alderney? 😉

[@alisimmons4073]

We do have some allotments, but they're slightly further inland at the top of La Vallée. 😂 😂

[@Aviation18]

Great video Geoff! I never knew this even existed because ironically I only ever saw those abandoned tracks so this was really interesting!

[@markreader1827]

Geoff Great pair of videos. We spent a few days on Alderney in 2019 and had the privilege of riding on the railway and chatting to the volunteers. What a great group of people. Where else in the UK would you find a preserved railway run and managed by such a small group of people (at the time of our visit there were only about a dozen registered volunteers). Did you know that the dash-cams mounted on the front & rear of the train are there to record any ‘near misses’ with vehicles at the un-gated level crossings? I didn’t see in your video, but was the abandoned self-propelled steam crane still sitting in Mannez Quarry? For those planning to visit the island I would recommend hiring an electric bike, because with one of those you can get everywhere really easily. For those not planning to visit, think again, it is a truly wonderful place to chill out and soak up both the history and the scenery. Regards Mark Reader

[@Rob-on5tz]

I'm glad you enjoyed our island Geoff, please come back and visit again one day.

[@sirrliv]

I'm probably about the 4th person to point this out, but if you look at the satellite view of the Alderney Railway on Google Maps, about 2/3rds of the way to the Quarry it looks like there used to be a branch line cutting off almost due North to what looks like an abandoned fortress. Might be worth a look if Geoff ever gets to return.

[@sirrliv]

@@geofftech2 I can't say for certain that's what it is. I just know that looking at the satellite images, right around Hammond Memorial there's a depression in the land splitting off from the railway line that traces a broad, gentle curve right between Saye Farm Campsite and Corblets Beach, before ending at what looks like a ruined fort that's not marked on Google Maps; the one available view point on Google Street View suggests that part of it may still be occupied, either as a private residence or some form of office. Update: Looking at the Wikipedia page, this appears to be the abandoned branch to Chateau a L'Etoc.

[@Deadlock320]

Should note that the original 1840s Admiralty plans for the breakwater had it about three times as long as it is now, curving south toward the end to almost meet a second breakwater that was to be constructed from the headland at Château à L'Étoc. The idea was to have a nice deep water anchorage to keep watch on France (and maybe blockade Cherbourg if necessary). By the time the 1870s came along with the first breakwater only 2/3 finished, costs escalating, and the threat from France receding it was decided to stop construction.

[@sabinebogensperger1928]

Love love love your enthusiasm and love for Alderney! Brilliant addition to the London's Lost Railways series! Thank you! So, no allotments... any abandoned shopping trolleys? 😉 My guess is that Alderney is far too pretty and civilised for that to happen.

[@stevebarlow3154]

I believe there is a communal garden hidden away in St Anne.

[@mjwinder]

There are allotments! We hid them in a valley to keep them a bit sheltered. You have to know where to look. And, no. No shopping trolleys normally.

[@SteamCrane]

What is an allotment in the UK?

[@stevebarlow3154]

@@SteamCrane An allotment is a strip of land, usually rented from the local council or similar, that you use to grow vegetables. It is primarily intended for people who live in flats and others who don't have access to a garden.

[@SteamCrane]

@@stevebarlow3154 Thanks! Same as the US, called "community gardens'.

[@oliverpearcey2777]

In the early 1960's there was also a railway mounted self moving steam crane to be seen stabled on a siding near the beginning of the breakwater - I guess that went for scrap long ago. The breakwater was originally rather longer and was built to protect the Grand Fleet - the Alderney anchorage is huge. I believe at the time we were concerned about the possibility of having to fight France.....

[@stevebarlow3154]

That is probably the crane left to rot at Mannez Quarry, where it is in a dangerous condition. I believe the local government has finally agreed to scrap it.

[@optimist3580]

The steam crane was still in use in the 1980’s for breakwater repairs and the boiler supplied all the hot water we ever needed for tea

[@16bookie]

Done the walk out on the breakwaters a few time when visiting my in-laws, it longer than you think when you start!

[@itsonlycapnkirk]

Stick a few attractions, eateries etc together with a small platform for the train to end up at and a new Alderney attraction is born !

[@physiocrat7143]

There were if I recall similar tracks on the breakwaters at Newhaven and Tynemouth.

[@srfurley]

What about he Holyhead breakwater? Never seen pictures of it, but seem to remember that it had small Diesel shutters, class 1? To haul some sort os waste for disposal.

[@kat.nicolette]

I can only imagine the panic that sent in as a train slipped into the water.

[@Jimyjames73]

Very good & interesting - I would have cycled to the end of the break water thingy!!! 🤔😉🚂🚂🚂

[@ernestparker3648]

Brilliant it's whetted my appetite to go. I'm 71 now i really hope I can. But if not your 2 videos are so good I can watch them again and again. cheers Geoff.

[@dashcamexplorationuk1692]

Awesome video Geoff The views are stunning

[@criaghuges4445]

Thourorly enjoyed this

[@RhysEdwards14]

Another brilliant video Geoff really informative!

[@oc2phish07]

Thanks Geoff, for another excellent video.

[@zoefroon4269]

Thank you for sharing 🙂

[@atgordon1948]

Great story, great location, well done!

[@andyh444]

Just beautiful. Feels like another world.

[@sebxiou-lifestyle4465]

Superb. Thank you, Mr M

[@scarlettmissredblack1381]

Love that you done a lost railways graphic for this. Fun video. Thanks, Geoff. You’re the best 😁

[@EdMcF1]

The way that they built the railway sounds like a Wile E. Coyote trick.

[@jeremysmith4437]

Another great video Alderney looks really interesting

[@travelswithjess]

Great video Geoff! I love watching your videos! :)

[@GeorgeChoy]

lovely stuff, thanks Geoff, something to add to my list

[@grantkelley6840]

Excellent video Geoff

[@SpanixTransport]

2:20 when you said this is the only point on the railway where it is double track. I found another double track section at manez quarry too on street view.

[@TTWGD3]

Loved this, Thanks Geoff

[@stevenjlovelace]

I wonder if they'll extend the breakwater railway to Battersea Power Station Station?

[@jonathancook4022]

Seaweed is such a classic case of railway disasters.

[@kazzam8514]

Maybe it was the wrong kind of Seaweed on the tracks

[@jonathancook4022]

@@kazzam8514 I was going to say that, but it seemed to corny

[@kazzam8514]

@@jonathancook4022 nah, not corny, just funny

[@johnmurrell3175]

I suppose it is better than washing up liquid which caused the rail crash at I think Shepperton where application overnight to test wheel slide protection equipment resulted in the service train hitting the buffers.

[@RichardJeeves]

While you are in the channel islands you could do a lost railways of jersey video. There are 2 that used to run from st helier. One down the seafront towards st brelard and the other out east to gorey.

[@bruceboa6384]

This breakwater reminds me a little bit of the Ogden Point breakwater here in Victoria BC. There are no abandoned rail tracks but it's long and it is quite spectacular in heavy winds with the waves hitting it.

[@rosiefay7283]

4:16 Great story! In England the problem is leaves on the line -- on Alderney it's seaweed on the line!

[@jonathancombe9991]

Dawlish has that problem too!

[@ballyhigh11]

Isn't the problem in Dawlish that there sometimes is no line?!

[@meltrain]

Brilliant video.

[@andysmith5997]

Not sunny in the Channel Islands? That’s rare, the skies are bluer here than anywhere in England

[@highpath4776]

Been odd weather this year all round

[@OliverHoerold]

And another glorious train video. I am no train nerd, but still, I enjoy watching your videos!

[@sakurapablo671]

Definitely nice to see that. Since that is a different side and bit of history to see.

[@nw24153ns]

Excellent video! 👍I looked on Google maps the other day but because of the low/high level I couldn't tell for sure, so thanks for answering my question..

[@gregmichael8473]

Geoff, brilliant video, as usual. I recall a holiday on the north coast of New South Wales in the late 1960s where they were building/extending the breakwater on the Clarence River mouth by the same method. Fascinating watching the rocks, or perhaps blocks of concrete, disappearing off the end of the line. PS There's now a new reason for cancelling trains - Seaweed on the line!

[@WorldOfMikeThePartworkWrangler]

Wow that’s awesome always find it fascinating Seing lost railways they have one on the old witham to Malden line in Essex

[@andrewsmith2399]

Good video 📹 👍 👌 👏 🙌 😀

[@grendel_nz]

I have friends living on Alderney. Always wanted to visit but not as easy as you'd like. Looks lovely, thank you :)

[@davidclark618]

Enjoyed this I have also walked to the end of the track it was a summers day

[@edwardndriskoll]

Bro. A1. Great find.

Love your videos Geoff

[@MrGreatplum]

Absolutely wonderful, Geoff. If you ever get a chance, do take a trip to Jersey; lots of former railway infrastructure there. (There’s a fun bit just outside St Aubyn where a tunnel was abandoned by the railway line but then reused by the Germans as a munition store…)

[@edwardlees4585]

Isn't that the place where the bike rental company now operates from? I love the way they have rebuilt the station building at La Corièere as a private house.

[@francois738]

Great stuff Geoff. As luck would have it, I just got asked to go to Alderney for work for a couple of days so at least now I have some ideas for what to do with my free time.

[@notthecrazytype7960]

amazing love the vids!

[@isashax]

I am glad that you ended not going till the end and you went back! I was scared that something happened to you!

[@tardismole]

The lengths you go to keep us entertained. :)

[@HenrysAdventures]

You're going back to England and to London and to Ware, I'm looking forward to seeing your video from Ware! ;)

[@yelfsteam]

Brilliant video as always Geoff. I'm guessing at some point you will venture up to the Isle of Man and tick off all the railways there. Even the lost part of the steam railway.

[@user-ew5yj6rs4q]

This is so good!

[@mwallace2922]

Thanks for posting, from lockdown Sydney. 👍👍🖖🏻🖖🏻🇦🇺🇦🇺☕️

[@PhillHills]

Ohhh... you could do lost railways of Portsmouth and other interesting old MOD branch lines.

[@jamesabbott5242]

Awesome video

[@tacostrains5646]

in bristol there are a few lost railways including an abandoned station (brislington) and an old line which is still visible but no track

[@petemarr824]

Great! Takes some doing to walk right out with that wind..

[@andrewtrimble9770]

I walked out to the end of the Alderney breakwater some years ago on my honeymoon. It is very long. It was a very hot day and I got sunburnt. Wonderful island.

[@manmeetsinghmahajan6183]

Nice one 👍

[@orbitboi63]

If & when we do go to the Channel Islands we will go & do that walk.

[@crispyri]

The granite quarried in alderney was used as building material at mont saint Michel

[@EdMcF1]

That sign? There's one just like it in Guernsey at St. Peter Port on the breakwater going past the castle, but it's so low-key, I only saw it on the way back along the breakwater.

[@srfurley]

Guernsey used to have a Railway, long gone but there was still a tunnel to be seen in the ‘60s.

[@trainman2925]

Love the videos

[@2H80vids]

I've only visited Jersey but these two videos are as good as any "Visit Sunny Alderney" travel show Geoff. You seem to have been quite touched by the place, not just the railway either.👍😁

[@stephendines1936]

I was in Guernsey/Alderney 10 years ago this week, no wind, bright sunshine and 27°C

[@Willopotomas]

You should do Jersey's lost railway while you're there. Quite a lot of the former alignment still remains. Added bonus being Jersey is an absolutely beautiful island. Many friends and family over there.

[@hojomo]

Big thanks for this one Geoff - good to see you bringing your special zeal to the Channel Islands! I did some "sky-scavenging" while watching and found more dual tracks at the other end - Manez Quarry - leading up to the Engine Sheds - could you pop back & take a look? 😉

[@Pacer667]

Amazing

[@sangyoonsim]

What kind of monster will give this video a thumbs down?

[@Retailman100]

I'm guessing a descendant of Richard Beeching who wishes all the rails to be ripped up.

[@TheNapalmFTW]

Thumbs down help the algorithm as much as thumbs up do

[@srfurley]

@@Retailman100 Dr Beeching wasn’t anti-Railway, he wanted to build up the parts of the railway which he thought were successful. He wanted to close down those parts which he saw as no longer being viable. He was actually pro- Railway, which makes him something of a surprising appointment; I might have expected a chairman who simply wanted to close down everything.

[@class387productions3]

Very good

[@lucaschang689]

You know that story that the volunteer told of the engine going into the breakwater almost sounds something from the classic Thomas and Tank Engine tv show! Not going to lie, I can almost hear the sound of 'bust my boilers' as the engine goes over the breakwater and can't break.

[@christopherbrown3695]

Utterly brilliant, there can’t be many abandoned or lost railways in London where you can see a RNLI lifeboat moored nearby?

[@johnmurrell3175]

I don't think you can see any of the London RNLI stations from an active railway line let alone a disused one. I think Tower Station is hidden from Hungerford Bridge by Waterloo bridge though it may be possible to see it at low tide under Waterloo bridge. Blackfriars bridge appears obstruct the view of Tower Station from Blackfriars Railway Station bridge. Chiswick might just be visible from Barnes Bridge but the curvature of the river is against it though the lifeboat(s) are moored some way from the bank. Teddington - no chance too many buildings in the way and the lifeboats are kept in a building not moored afloat. Some time in the future you may be able to see a lifeboat station being towed along the Thames from a number of railway bridges west of Waterloo Bridge. We are building a new floating station to replace Tower. This is due to be constructed somewhere in East London and will be towed from the construction yard to Waterloo bridge. No date yet as RNLI are still fundraising for the new station which for those who do not know is the busiest RNLI station.

[@joshtalks1611]

All the stations 🙂

[@marcdebruin2425]

So now I am waiting for an Alderney Tube Challenge. Fastest time around the network. 😎

[@future057]

I’m liking these Channel Islands videos

[@simonnaughton2272]

What sort of lost railway video is this Geoff? You are scared of wind and the dark now? I can’t believe you didn’t take footage of a walk to the end. Amazing.