Isle of Wight Steam Railway

I visited for the first time ever at the weekend and reckon I had my best railway visit this year. I doubt that there is a tidier railway in the UK and everyone seems so enthusiastic. Genuinely there was not a thing out of place. Even the whole of the railway linesides had been trimmed to the fence line along the whole 5 miles which is something few heritage lines have the human resourses to do. I was most impressed by the long row of rescued victorian carriage bodies in Train story. There is many years work ahead there for the craftsmen and women. To top that there was some spirited running by the Ivatt and a great day was had as I love travelling in pre 1920 rolling stock. A railway that punches well above its weight and well worth a visit if you have not been. A day trip from the mainland is easy to do if you take the wightlink catamaran from Portsmouth or the hovercraft as both connect perfectly with the Island line and they will sell you a day rover that covers both railways.

 

Yes, agreed. The coaching stock is unique in historic appeal and authenticity. I went over in August, hoping for the Ivatt, but got the O2 - no complaints, but I have the excuse for another visit!

 

The website has a "what's in service" section which you can check beforehand with the proviso that such things can always change at short notice. One thing you can guarantee is that your carriage will be no newer than 1924!

Paul H

 

Yes, I did check, but locos were changed after I'd committed myself to travel arrangements. Still, who is going to grumble about an O2 and vintage coaches? And the Ivatt is scheduled for my October visit. Next year could see two Ivatts in service; I have fond memories of these on the Callington branch when I was a kid. They are fully credible on the IoW.

John

 

Yeah they do a great job of looking after everything over there.

 

Just to let you all know that there is planned to be an all Terrier train service on the IWSR during the week commencing Monday 3rd April.

Between Monday and Friday a two-train service is currently planned to operate with all trains headed by either W8 or W11, one on the all LBSCR bogie set and the other on the 4-wheelers. This has come about for operational reasons, the need to maximise seat availability during a busy period. The railway web site indicates a Green (one train service), it will actually be a Red (two train service) although minor variations may occur so I would advise confirming with the railway beforehand if you intend to come over to the Island.

Saturday 8th April will be a one train service (currently W11 on the roster). Sunday is the April Heritage Goods Day which will feature the first outing of our 1930s coal train, also scheduled for Terrier haulage, although the passenger service engine for that day is yet to be confirmed and will be either a Terrier or Ivatt 41298.

I should add that this is not an official IWSR announcement, so do please check before travelling!

 

Any chance of getting the locomotives in Steam this Month page on the website updated to reflect this and other plans? http://www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk/locomotives-in-steam-this-month.aspx

 

The two old things looked absolutely great today and ran very well. One visitor remarked how unusual it was to find such equipment in service on a non Gala occasion. Nothing in either rake newer than 1924.

PH

 

Thanks, I see that this has been updated now.

 

i look forward to the day when you can run the coal train behind W2

 

Unfortunately W11 is temporarily unavailable, so there will be a one-train service on Friday 6th April and Saturday 7th April with Ivatt 41298. The good news is that the inaugural operation of the coal train on Sunday will be unaffected, W8 will be on the coal train and 41298 on the passenger service.

 

Some of the recent posts on the on the island-line-under-threat thread have been more about the steam railway. Prompted by the recently posted video of both railways, I went to the Gradient profiles of Heritage Railways thread, only to find that the link there http://www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk/ima...SR_Gradient_Profile/iwsr_gradient_profile.jpg is broken. Can someone please provide a new link.

 

Sorry, at the moment it is not on the web. We are aware and will try to fix it during the winter.

 

I have it somewhere, pm me your email address and I'll send it over

 

Have Scotsman and Tornado been set up like this I wonder....?

 

Following on from the discussion about sheerlegs ("Wheel Drops" thread), @gwalkeriow mentioned a set the size of those once at Ryde would be useful for C&W work. As heritage railway projects go, this one sounds at the do-able end of the spectrum.

How much time and effort would a suitable sheerlegs save and what materials for a set (plus ancilliaries such as blocks, chains etc. and/or stands) would be required? Plus, the big one, what sort of cash number would we be looking at?

I suppose the question has to be "Would a sheerlegs be a worthwhile standalone project for the railway?"

 

I thought the ryde sheerlegs were already at havenstreet ?

 

They are, but only the metal bits the main legs were wood. The remains which are abandoned in the middle of Griffins field have not been looked after well :-(

 

In which case, would full restoration of this set to it's former glory be a more useful and desireable aim?

 

When I was younger and fitter I did venture into the jungle that they are hidden in, I found a few of the bits but wasn't too impressed with their condition, not a good position to be starting from.