[Sep 28, 2018] ISLE OF WIGHT DIESEL GALA 2018 Shunter "Shuffle mark 2" (Isle of Wight)

At last we have the bones of the event. We are bringing back Stewart Robinsons 03 197 and it is being joined by Mangapps farm 03 399 fresh from a little overhaul. Last time it left Mangapps was 15 June 1996 so it is a great honor to have it grace our Metals.
03 399 is an ex Weymouth engine (like our Ivatt 41298) and 197 is ex Bournemouth. There will be a service of trains from Havenstreet starting at 09:58. For the first time ever we have managed to arrange a pre service trip along the whole length of the line conveying visitors in our 3 brakevans . There will be a separate fare for this and there are very limited spaces. This will happen on all 3 days. Departure time from Havenstreet is 09:01 and Smallbrook 09:37 Which will connect into Island line trains with special stops. Pre booking is advisable.
During the event there will be 2 brakevan shuttles from Havenstreet to Wootton and return hauled by an 03. In the afternoon D2554 will do some brakevan rides through the station platform lines. We hope this year to have some of our on track machines on display in an accessible area. The Wickham and Permaquip "LaLa" has been requested. There will be a Real ale bar and food will be served throughout the event. The timetable is to be confirmed the first service train leaves Smallbrook Jct at 1024 and offers an Island line connection in both directions.

 

Alan could D2554 do the early morning trips to Wootton with the brake vans?

 

'fraid not we have an issue with D2554 and its battery charging circuit. Various things have been tried to no avail. I would dearly love to use it all line . The scenario is if D2554 stalls in section and will not restart then we have lost the timetable. Keeping it near the station we can get it rescued quickly. One day it may get the attention it needs but as you know there are always more important issues to deal with,to say nothing of cash priorities.

 

Tickets now on sale for the Havenstreet-Smallbrook-Wootton -Havenstreet brake van run. Just one a day numbers are limited as we only have 3 vans. Ticket includes an all day rover .Call 01983 882204 for more details and bookings.

 

Here is the full timetable hope it assists with planing your trip. The notes after the Island line stops are void. As I understand it the price of the brakevan trip along the whole line is £30 this includes a day ticket. I do not think priv rate is available on this service . The Wootton shuttles and Havenstreet van rides behind the 05 are included in the normal entrance ticket,but there will be a donations bucket. If we raise enough maybe we can a new set of batteries for him!

 

Just to let you all know, the three 03s are all now at Havenstreet and ready to go for the first day of the 2018 IWSR Diesel Gala. Full details of the gala are on the IWSR Website.

I understand that there may still be some spaces available on the full-line Brake Van Specials, booking details for this unique opportunity are on the Gala web page.

For the thirsty ones amongst you we have Island Ales Gold and Yachtsman as well as St Austell Tribute in the Havenstreet Real Ale Bar, along with a large selection of traditional ciders.

The weather is looking good, so we are all set for a great weekend of 03 action - see you there!

 

Sadly, can’t make it this year. See you next year.

 

Excellent day and thanks to all concerned for the arrangements. Thoroughly enjoyed the brake van trips and hope there are more at future events. Also had a pint of Island Ales Yachtsman from the beer tent. Hope the event paid its way.

 

Glad you enjoyed your day. It is a shame that there were not more visitors but those that came enjoyed it.