GUILDFORD
THE SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY.—OPENING OF THE PORTSMOUTH LINE—This day (Saturday) the new Portsmouth Direct Line Railway, will be opened for passenger and goods traffic, and the company's time bill, showing the number and description of trains per day, and the period of starting from and arriving at the various stations on the railroad, has been published this week, from which seems, that very great advantages will accrue to passengers travelling from London to Portsmouth or vice versa. There will be eight trains daily—four up and four down trains, while on Sunday half that number only will run. The route between Loudon and Portsmouth will be via Guildford, and trains will leave Waterloo Bridge Station, in the morning at 7∙15 (1.2.3), 11∙30 (1 and 2); and in the afternoon 3∙40 (1 and 2), and 7∙0 (express). These trains will run through Guildford, and the express performs that distance in fifty minutes, reaching its destination (Portsmouth) by 9∙17, thus occupying no more than two hours and seventeen minutes in accomplishing that lengthy journey. This will no doubt prove an invaluable boon, not only to Portsmouth and its commerce, but also to the immediate district through which the line of railway passes. We believe that up to the present time, the whole country between Guildford and Portsmouth have been entirely unrepresented by railway accommodation, embracing amongst other towns and villages, Petersfield, Havant, Haslemere, Milford, &c.; all of which places now possess a station, making altogether upon the new line, nine or ten stations. On Monday last, a special train for the conveyance of official for the different stations along the line arrived at Guildford, and at about twelve o’clock proceeded on their journey, carrying with it all the necessary materials for the efficient working of the trains, &c. We may state that the principal clerk from the Guildford station, Mr. Mandy, is one of the number of the new staff, and he has been appointed to a similar office at the Petersfield station. With respect to the working arrangements of this line, it might have been remarked (in the proper place) that the trains from Guildford to London will be of the most infinite advantage to all passengers travelling between those places. A wonderful saving of time will be the result. A Parliamentary train from this town at 9∙15 a.m. arrives in London by 10∙15 a.m., and by first, second and express trains in a considerably less period, so that it will be seen that the benefit conferred on the public will be very great; we therefore trust that the company will receive that amount of support which their enterprise so justly entitles them to.
(See also
01-Jan-1859 Railway Battle at Havant