[May 27, 2025] Isle of wight railway steam gala (Ryde)

Thxs

 

As a bonus for anyone visiting the gala by train you will arrive by genuine heritage emu. The island line still use ex underground 1938 stock. These are due for replacement when the new franchise is awarded next year. Ride them while you can .maybe get a combined ticket

 

That's a crying shame, as 03179's "spiritual home" is on the island. I personally had always hoped that the IOWSR's 03 would be either swapped or joined by either 03079 or 03179 as the railway has such a great track record for obtaining "proper" authentic island pedigree stock. Would Rushden swap 03's before they put too much into it?!? (The last sentence is very much tongue in cheek!).

I had, wrongly, presumed that there was no interest in 03179 from the IOW as there was already an 03 there, so it's sad to learn that you tried for it but were unsuccessful. I know there are a few down there that come out in a rash when the preservation of diesels are concerned!

I follow the Ryde Pier Tram project with interest, as for me the Islands Railways should be represented, not just the Steam locomotives. I also think it's great that the Islands 05 is at Havenstreet, most appropriate. Well done to those involved in its recent overhaul.

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Chris,
Army 235 will look as good when it is finished for the gala. The Britannia rail carrying wagons have undergone an inspection with a view to using them on the afternoon freight run through. These have not been used for quite a few years, so who knows what the inspection will find. I think most railways realise that they have to come up with new ideas to entice people in if they want to keep solvent. I think in the case of the Isle of Wight railway , steam will always be the life blood but there is another market to try and satisfy. The Diesel guys. We are fully aware that as Diesel galas go we cannot compete with the likes of Swanage, NYMR, east Lancs and the likes so we have to be different. Hence the Shunter Shuffle. If the event is well supported then another may happen in 2017,if not at least the cobwebs will have been blown off the diesels and we will have two pristine exhibition pieces.

 

Exactly the same thing happened with the 09 that was at Brighton (now at the Spa Valley), and years ago the 09 at Selhurst (now at the Lavender Line). Being an employee of said TOC, I was witnessed some of the arguments that went on regarding the disposals; left hand not telling right hand what was going on. I daresay the same will happen with our 73 when someone makes the call that we no longer require it (it only gets used for shunting Belmond stock in the depot). Expressions of interest have already been put forward for it!

 

Grashopper,
Yes we were sad to see it go elsewhere. I think it was just one of those things that happen in a big organisation. I really think the people I as dealing with had no idea another department were moving it on. I imagine the people at Northampton had no idea we were after it, we certainly did not know they were chasing it as well.

 

Would they be open to a swap if another 03 came up? Has anyone from the Railway contacted the team in Northampton?

The Gala looks very interesting, sadly i can not attend as at ELR the week before and at the IOW for Beer and Buses (plus trains) mid October, the Misses would do her nut if i addded another event. Next year maybe.

Was it 03179 that did the shuttles down the headshunt (ex line to Newport), at Sandown during a NSE open day in the 1980/90s? I remember doing that in a breakvan. Still upset all these years latter that a driving motor from a VEC/TES was not kept by the railway its such a big gap in the history (plus at least one was haulled by a 02). Dont please miss out on a 1938 when the time comes. They could live in a on rail conected building.

 

Man in the corner
I was not involved at the time the Vec units were withdrawn. I understand the railway declined a unit as it had no space to put it, no money for conservation work and were heavily involved in the extension to Ryde. In hindsight the railway should have gone for one, but the circumstances at the time would not have permitted it. I hope that when the present stock goes we will be in a position to offer one a home. 03179 would have filled a gap in our collection as I think I am right in saying that it was painted in Network south east livery and that is the time span we are missing in the collection. I do not think any has contacted the Northampton team,they waited a long time to get the loco and I believe it has local (ish) connections any way. As I said earlier a short term loan for a gala would be nice. Would the bullied double deck group like to come over and promote the restoration of this unique vehicle ?

 

I thought that that it had gone to Rushden not Northampton?

 

Rushden is in Northamptonshire, sorry i left the shire off.

 

Looking into the story 03179 was damaged after being towed too fast acording to one report. I also did not realise it had the unoffical name "Clive".

 

The new owner of 03179 posts over on the WNXX forum, where it's emerged she was in much better condition than had long been suggested - indeed it seems she's already run since her arrival.

"What happened at the Nene was the the belts for the fan were slipping, they were loose and the wrong gauge. She got hot (temp gauge in the cab being the only item that didnt work) and yes, she locked up until she cooled down. Upon her return to Hornsey after the Nene trip she was started and driven to the usual place of stabling and the belts were replaced"

 

Never say never I guess with 03179, look at the story with the E1. It might be in 20 years time, but the 03 may yet transfer to the island?

I also concur with the 1938 stock. Even a single car inside train story would be a hugely important exhibit to represent half a century of the Islands "electric era". I would certainly hope that the mainline boys Will be offering a vehicle or set free of charge to the IOWSR, then of course it would be up to them whether to accept or not.

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03 197 left Mangapps last night and should arrive on the IoW this afternoon.

Good luck with the Gala, it promises to be a great event. Although I'm doubtful whether I can get there (the drawback of running your own railway) I'm looking forward to the reports and pics.

We at Mangapps are delighted to be involved and hope that the Diesel Gala will be the first of many.

 

Thank you for kind assistance with the hire loco. I hope that we can work together in the future with these sort of events. This is very much a trial event ,we will have to wait and see if it is repeated next year. I would like to see the 05 certified for "main line" use. may have to work on that. I have a shot of 03 197 on its way to the Island that I will try and attach. It looks a a real treat and is a credit to all at Mangapps.

 

Having been sat in the Sun at Havenstreet today with the people who are restoring Clive I do not think any problems exist with Clive making a visit to the IofWSR in the future. Everybody I know from the mainland is very impressed with the IofWSR as a entirety from the welcome by staff through to trackside and attention to detail wherever you care to look. My own railway could certainly take a leaf out your book in several areas.
The gradients plus the bogie coaches certainly made Stewarts 03 work well and highlighted the need to change up and down gear as required.
It was a real pity to see the sad state the Island Line emu had sunk too, such a wasted opportunity although I did see signs of recent track work. The less said about the welcome or not at Portsmouth Harbour for Wightlink Cat the better, I wondered if Wightlink had the same management as Southern GTR
Finally many thanks to the Island guys who made me so welcome on the 03 today.

Brian

 

By contrast the Hovercraft people are always polite and can be positively charming! There is a connecting "Hoverbus" between the stations and the Hovercraft terminal.

PH

 

John,

Was told at Havenstreet today that you were unable to come. A pity as I had hoped both to meet you and to show you our latest accessions to the museum.

Paul H

 

Yes Paul, I'm afraid that I was unable to make the trip overseas, due mainly to a shortage of staff at Mangapps, some of them having decamped to the IoW. The opportunity of driving on the magnificent IoWSR was too much for some them to resist!

Anyway, I was able to watch proceedings on the Haven Street webcam in between driving turns on another 03 here and my son James has returned with glowing reports and pictures, which convinces me and the memsahib that we must visit soon. I look forward to seeing the museum too and hope that we can meet. I'll PM you to arrange a date.

JJ

p.s.- James was responsible for the "Essex Coast Express" headboard; I hope it didn't raise fears of an invasion.

 

Brian,
Glad you enjoyed your visit and your comments about our railway are much appreciated. Meet up with Andy and Dale from Rushden where Clive went to. There is certainly a willingness for the 03 to return to the Island for a weekend visit when the restoration team are happy with it and it has been run in at Rushden. 2018 looks promising ! The general manager is talking about holding another Diesel day in 2017 as soon as a visiting loco is signed I will post it here. Some work is due to start on the Link span at the Portsmouth wight link terminal soon. That will allow us to bring over a slightly bigger locomotive in future should we wish to.
The visit of 03 197 also brought with it a knowledgeable group of guys, Stewart, Martin and John. Not only did they bring the 03 with them they shared a lot of knowledge with us. I think every driver at the railway went away with some new knowledge. NONE of us expected that from a diesel gala. Lots of ideas have bee floated about between the groups some we will try . I may yet get my way and see the 05 double head an air braked train. The Mangapps chaps have advised us how it could be done. 2017 maybe?
On behalf of us all at the Isle of Wight steam railway may I thank everyone who made the effort to come and see this event. Some of the distances traveled were quite staggering, Newcastle, Wakefield, far down in Devon, Warrington and Morecombe were just some of those I managed to speak to. Here's to 2017!