Railways of Jamaica: May Pen to Frankfield
Encyclopedia
The May Pen to Frankfield line was built to serve the fast developing citrus industry in the upper Clarendon
regions of Chapelton and Frankfield.
All external links below are to WikiMapia.
railway extension was a prominent issue, and in March the Colonial Secretary introduced into the Legislature a resolution authorising the expenditure of £90,000 on the construction of a branch line from May Pen to Danks, beyond Chapelton in upper Clarendon. "After an animated discussion the resolution was carried by 19 votes to 5. The new line will open up the fertile valley of the Rio Minho
... It is hoped that ultimately the line will be driven forward to the still more fertile district of Ulster Spring in Upper Trelawny
and then on to Falmouth
, the seaport on the north side of the island, whose former prosperity would thereby be restored." Due to the Great War and the economic situation in the Twenties this long-term aim was never accomplished.
to Chapelton
were laid between 1911 and 1913 at a cost of £86,000.
The 9¼ mile extension to Frankfield was added in 1925. It required the bridging of twelve rivers, which must have been a significant contribution to the twelve year construction hiatus.
The line closed in 1974.
Clarendon Parish, Jamaica
Clarendon is a parish in Jamaica. It is located on the south of the island, roughly half-way between the island's eastern and western ends...
regions of Chapelton and Frankfield.
All external links below are to WikiMapia.
Inception
During the 1911 General ElectionGeneral election
In a parliamentary political system, a general election is an election in which all or most members of a given political body are chosen. The term is usually used to refer to elections held for a nation's primary legislative body, as distinguished from by-elections and local elections.The term...
railway extension was a prominent issue, and in March the Colonial Secretary introduced into the Legislature a resolution authorising the expenditure of £90,000 on the construction of a branch line from May Pen to Danks, beyond Chapelton in upper Clarendon. "After an animated discussion the resolution was carried by 19 votes to 5. The new line will open up the fertile valley of the Rio Minho
Rio Minho (Jamaica)
At the Rio Minho is the longest river in Jamaica. It rises close to the island's geographic centre, flows generally south-southwest and reaches the Caribbean Sea at Carlisle Bay in the central south coast, to the west of the island's southernmost point, Portland Point.The town of May Pen,...
... It is hoped that ultimately the line will be driven forward to the still more fertile district of Ulster Spring in Upper Trelawny
Trelawny Parish, Jamaica
Trelawny is a parish in Cornwall County in northwest Jamaica. Its capital is Falmouth. It is bordered by the parishes of Saint Ann in the east, Saint James in the west, and Saint Elizabeth and Manchester in the south.-History:...
and then on to Falmouth
Falmouth, Jamaica
Falmouth is the chief town and capital of the parish of Trelawny in Jamaica. It is situated on Jamaica's north coast 18 miles east of Montego Bay. It is noted for being one of the Caribbean’s best-preserved Georgian towns....
, the seaport on the north side of the island, whose former prosperity would thereby be restored." Due to the Great War and the economic situation in the Twenties this long-term aim was never accomplished.
Construction, operation and closure
The 13 miles (20.9 km) of standard gauge track from May PenMay Pen
May Pen is the capital and largest town in the parish of Clarendon in the Middlesex County, Jamaica. It is located on the Rio Minho river , and is a major market centre for the Parish...
to Chapelton
Chapelton, Jamaica
Chapelton is a market town in Clarendon Parish, Jamaica and the former parish capital.-Name:According to a long time resident:-Amenities:*Clarendon College, secondary school.*Clarendon Hospital, built c1903, now a community Type 3 hospital.*....
were laid between 1911 and 1913 at a cost of £86,000.
The 9¼ mile extension to Frankfield was added in 1925. It required the bridging of twelve rivers, which must have been a significant contribution to the twelve year construction hiatus.
The line closed in 1974.
Gradients
The line climbed 650 feet in 18½ miles (average gradient 1 in 150) from May Pen (239 feet) to its summit at Crooked River (889 feet) then continued for 3¾ miles more or less on the level to Frankfield (908 feet).Stations and Halts
There were 10 stations and halts on the line c1973. More recent references mention only nine:- May Pen Station
- Longville Halt
- Suttons Station
- Cross Roads/Ivy Store Station
- Chapelton Station
- Danks Station, closed c1921.
- Morgans Station
- Bryan's Hill Station, extant 1973; unmentioned 2005.
- Crooked River Station
- Trout Hall Station
- Frankfield Station (Terminus)
Bridges
There were 13 significant bridges on the line, all but the first being on the Chapelton to Frankfield extension. Approximate bridge lengths are shown in the route diagram (right):- Track leading to Sevens sugar estate
- Thomas River
- Rio Minho
- Orange River
- Stony River
- Orange River
- Ballards River
- Crooked River
- Crooked River
- Dawkins River & track
- Rio Minho & B3 road
- Franks River
- Tributary of Rio Minho