The history of the Bermuda Railway, which operated from 1931 to 1948, is short but record breaking. Its 17 years of operation were the shortest duration of any railway system. The construction costs per mile were the highest of any railway system, at a total of £1m. One tenth of its entire track was comprised of bridges and there were nine sea crossings in its 22 mile length.
Proposals for a railroad were being considered as early as 1899, the Government finally granting permission in 1922 for work to begin. Laying tracks was fraught with difficulties, including the expensive and time-consuming construction of long tunnels and swing bridges. Finally opening in 1932, the railway gradually became the favoured mode of transport for locals and visitors alike. Despite its popularity the railway failed to make a profit, due in no small part to loan repayments and high maintenance costs.
The outbreak of the war compounded problems for the rail company as increasing numbers of military personnel and freight used the system. A combination of scarcity of materials available to ensure the upkeep of tracks and rolling stock as well as lack of railway labourers due to war service, meant that the railway began to fall into disrepair.
In spite of a record 1.5 million passengers in 1945, the company still could not manage to break even, as running costs continually outstripped revenues. Furthermore, in order to aid the war effort, motor vehicles which had previously been banned from the island, became increasingly popular.
Proposals for a railroad were being considered as early as 1899, the Government finally granting permission in 1922 for work to begin. Laying tracks was fraught with difficulties, including the expensive and time-consuming construction of long tunnels and swing bridges. Finally opening in 1932, the railway gradually became the favoured mode of transport for locals and visitors alike. Despite its popularity the railway failed to make a profit, due in no small part to loan repayments and high maintenance costs.
The outbreak of the war compounded problems for the rail company as increasing numbers of military personnel and freight used the system. A combination of scarcity of materials available to ensure the upkeep of tracks and rolling stock as well as lack of railway labourers due to war service, meant that the railway began to fall into disrepair.
In spite of a record 1.5 million passengers in 1945, the company still could not manage to break even, as running costs continually outstripped revenues. Furthermore, in order to aid the war effort, motor vehicles which had previously been banned from the island, became increasingly popular.
The Bermuda Government finally bought out the railway company for a mere £115,000. After consultation with a firm of Engineers, the decision was taken to close the railway down. A bus service was introduced in 1947, to replace the rail service.
In 1948, private motor vehicles were finally allowed to be imported. Consideration was given to converting the railway system into a road for motor traffic, but this was deemed to be too expensive.
Finally, after years of neglect, the Bermuda Government converted the abandoned tracks in the 1980s into an 18 mile walking and biking trail running almost the entire length of the island. Restricted to pedestrians, horse riders and cyclists, the trail is a peaceful and pleasant way to see parts of the island that would otherwise be hidden.
Finally, after years of neglect, the Bermuda Government converted the abandoned tracks in the 1980s into an 18 mile walking and biking trail running almost the entire length of the island. Restricted to pedestrians, horse riders and cyclists, the trail is a peaceful and pleasant way to see parts of the island that would otherwise be hidden.
A comprehensive history of the Bermuda Railway can be found here...
Joining the Railway Trail via Rocklands Road off South Shore Road, Warwick, we passed pastel coloured houses of every imaginable hue.
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| Section of the trail we walked |
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| Umbrella Tree in flower |
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| Bermuda Buckeye |
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| Remains of limestone quarry at Khyber Pass, Warwick |
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| Jamaican Anole |
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| Wandering Jew |
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| Coral Fountain Grass |
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| Former Riddell's Bay Station, now a homeless mission. |
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| Belco power crew repairing overhead cables |
Camp Hill electricity substation  |
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