Portsmouth Harbour Railway Station Opens

1876

Portsmouth Harbour station opened in 1876, extending the railway line from Portsmouth Town station (now Portsmouth and Southsea) to the water's edge at The Hard. The station was built on a timber platform projecting over the harbour, with a trainshed covering the tracks and platforms. Its opening transformed access to Portsea, providing a direct rail connection from London and other major cities to the very doorstep of the dockyard and the ferry services across the harbour. The station was built by the London and South Western Railway and subsequently also served by the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway, reflecting the competing rail interests in the area. The line from London Waterloo via Guildford and the route via Eastleigh both terminate here. The station's position at the harbour edge means that passengers step off the train within yards of the Gosport Ferry, the dockyard entrance and the approaches to Gunwharf Quays. This remarkable intermodal connection makes it one of the most conveniently situated stations in the country. The station building has been modified over the years but retains its essential character as a harbour terminus. It is a busy station, handling commuters, tourists and naval personnel throughout the year, and is particularly crowded during the summer visitor season.