scale: Grant still intended this to be a main line terminus. However the LSWR agreed only to provide a trailing connection at Fratton into a loop platform, so that direct through passenger operation to the main line system would not be possible. In the preparations for the Parliamentary Bill, the main line railways agreed to provide the necessary junction station at Fratton, but only if the land was given free, and approach roads each side were made and paid for locally. The contract price for construction of the line was £55,000, awarded to John Mackay of Hereford. Opening and operation The line was opened ceremonially on 1 July 1885 by Lady Ada Willis, wife of General Sir George Willis, Lieutenant Governor, Portsmouth. Fratton station was opened on the same day. Within a year the line was sold to the LSWR and LBSCR jointly for £74,905, authorised by Act of 20 August 1883, and taking effect on 1 July 1885.They agreed to work the line in alternate years. The train service consisted of 15 trains each way daily, of which six had through coaches to and from London. From 5 July 1885 all main line trains without exception stopped at Fratton to make connections. In May 1896 the name of the Southsea terminal was changed to East Southsea, recognising that Fratton and Portsmouth stations were nearer to many parts of Southsea.At first the line seemed to be profitable, but the urban street tramway system in Portsmouth and Southsea developed considerably in the final decade of the nineteenth century, and the conversion to electric operation (from horse-drawn trams) produced a very considerable upsurge in tram usage, and a consequent decline in use of the Southsea Railway. Financial difficulties In 1902 the branch ticket income was £287, while working expenses were £2,149. The Joint Committee considered urgent cost saving measures, and these included singling the line, abolishing signalling, and issuing tickets on the train, by the guard. In addition the companies decided on the use of railmotors instead of conventional trains. The Southsea terminal would be transferred to more modest premises nearby. In addition, new intermediate stopping places were opened in 1904, at Jessie Road and Albert Road. These proved to be rough platforms with shacks as waiting rooms. Railmotors The LSWR evidently did not own any railmotors at this stage; indeed the steam railmotor was the first of its kind in the