Isle of Wight Steam Railway

In the 80s (Running just Havenstreet to Wootton & back) we had occasions when locos ran out of water and an operating instruction was issued that locos must take water every trip whether the crew thought they needed to or not. I'm not sure if that still applies and I suspect that the Ivatts can go a long way on one tank full. Maybe @Islander could enlighten us.

 

have to PM Alex, and find out when he's planning on visiting, and how he's planning on getting to the island
Thanks Gary, I might have to take you up on that, be interesting to see the detail difference from the mainland Chatham coaches from the island versions

 

A small engine like Invincible yes I can understand that same as having to drop back on the pit and rake out the ashpan, I can remember her doing just that, it was back when you had Spitfire, Invincible would return from Wotton, take water go back on the pit to have the fire cleaned, and the diesel would take the trip, do a round trip in the meanwhile the steam loco came back on, having also recoaled and resume her booked duty. of course when the 02 came back in, and one of the terriers, then this break wasn't needed.

 

I asked the very same question of a crew in view of the great economy in water (and fuel) demonstrated by these machines and of their ample tank capacity. Water pressure at Havenstreet is "gentle" and I was informed it was preferred to top up the loco tanks little and often as it avoided the supply tank running dry, particularly when two trains were running. Any correction gratefully received.

Paul H

 

little and often is the preferred way on most railways, due to the time it takes to refill a water tank, and of course, the more water you have the better off you are, if you are running late, and you have enough water in the tanks, or tender, you can decide to omit a water stop to make up time, if you are running low,Injectors won't pick up with a low water level in the tanks, then, you are in real danger of running with a low water level in the boiler, with no way to top it up a brake application and that's your fusable plug gone.

 

The water gauge on the Ivatt tanks shows 1350 gallons when full and will drop down to the 1,000 gallon zone after a round trip of the line, every train is different so the amount of water varies. The Ivatts are very efficient and would go a long way on full tanks.

Usual practice for all engines is to fill up at Havenstreet on completion of each round trip.

 

I forgot to mention, get down to the Island and see for yourselves this weekend - It's the Three Island Ivatts gala!

 

This week the IWSR has started the 2018 high season service, so lots of Terrier action to be had between now and mid September. Quite often you will find one of the Terriers as the Duty 2 engine (with the 4-wheelers) on 2 train service days.

This coming Sunday (1st July) is our monthly Island Heritage Train day, on the roster is W24 at the head of the Brighton bogie set and W11 with the LCDR push-pull set.

The weekend of 4th/5th August is our Three Island Locos event, Ws 8,11 and 24 will be in action. This will be the last chance to see our Terriers working together until W8 has been overhauled, work starts after this season.

Loco Roster and event details are on our website:

http://www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk/locomotives-in-steam-this-m…

http://www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk/…/all-island-locos-together…

 

It’s a couple of months off, but any idea which locos will be in action at the island steam show?

Are the island locos normally used?

Just wondering as I’m thinking of going.

Thanks

 

Just checked your link and answered my own question. 24 and 11, excellent!

 

I need to contact the management of the Ops dept (preferably the loco side).

I would be grateful if someon could point me in the right direct please...and via PM please.


All sorted now and thank you to the 2 gentlemen who replied

 

There is some encouraging news to report on the Restoration of the Ryde Pier Tram. See the website for details:

http://www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk/ryde-pier-tram-restoration-project.aspx

 

Just got permission from the family to stay on the island long enough to enjoy day 1 of the Island steam gala this Saturday. Looking at the timetable it suggests "mainline"* trains stop at Smallbrook junction later than normal, but this isn't reflected anywhere else I that I can see. Can anyone confirm what the last "mainline" departure from Smallbrook to Ryde will be this Saturday please?

*Having experienced them for the first time today, I can barely bring myself to use the word mainline in the same context as island line, fun though it was!

 

The "mainline" trains will stop as advertised by the steam railway but these extra stops will not be shown in any national rail planners as they are arranged locally.

 

The bus from Wootton is a useful (and more comfortable) alternative.

I gather that L.B.S.C.R. brake third 4115 is likely to make its debut. The air brakes for I.W.R. No. 10 have yet to be completed and there may be the odd coat of varnish (out of 14!) to go on yet.

Paul H

 

Thank you.

Thanks Paul, I'll look into the bus as well, although the train is a little more "door to door" if you will, nice for someone like me who hasn't had to make all the connections before. The novelty of the "mainline" train hasn't quite worn off yet either, certainly a bouncy ride. In fact I think Dad enjoyed that almost as the steam train having lived in London for his first few years!

Yes some of the chaps were busy on 4115 today, certainly looks very impressive, looking forward to a ride in it on Saturday. I had noticed a fair few brake linkages still to go on No.10, nice to see the celebrity carriage though.

Certainly a good setup going today, I managed to avoid the "railway folk" but I did sit down to watch the falconry. Mum (a primary school teacher) commented on how great it was they were catering for the young kids, and also approved of the loudspeaker letting everyone know what was happening, very helpful she thought.

 

Sorry bit late in posting this but finally managed a last minute visit to last Sunday's 3 Island engine gala, having escaped from Chale show duties for a few hours. Had a really good time on a well run and very friendly railway. I sampled both the 4 wheelers and the bogie stock on my first full line trip in ..........err, 24 years, travelled behind Calbourne, which is a first, and was lucky enough to see the last train of the day comprising 7 or 8 4wheelers and double headed by the terriers, wonderful.
Well done all concerned, and the feedback from fellow travellers was all to the good.
Chris

 

A few shots from Friday's 30742 photo charter with Calbourne...






James

 

Great pictures James.

Friday seemed perfect photography weather, once the mist had lifted! The charter continued yesterday with 41313, unfortunately quite a wet day...

 

Right numbers in the wrong order. Was expecting to see 257 Squadron