Isle of Wight Steam Railway

Just a quick note to say we visited the IWSR today and thoroughly impressed as always. Overall experience excellent - the various social distancing measures were all well organised including little things like a gazebo to give shade/shelter when queueing for the shop. The staff and volunteers very friendly as always.

Loadings seemed reasonable - busy in the morning and a bit quieter in early afternoon. It was the two train service and not sure how this compares with a ‘normal’ summer day.

 

Like everything this season, it cannot be judged by reference to previous years. It was not originally intended to run two train sets this week but better than expected loadings, which can, of course, be anticipated by advance online booking, led to increased services and operating days. Wednesday and Thursday this week were originally to have been single set days. Naturally, coach tour bookings have taken a severe hit, aggravated by the Shearings bankruptcy (they had an I.O.W. hotel) but this has been compensated to a large extent by independent travellers. Again this has been complicated by Rover tickets having been withdrawn. We shall see how the rest of the season develops.

If this is the general picture of lines in a position to open in July then those not opening until August or later may well have cause to regret their decision.

 

Indeed and a very valid point re river tickets etc. Suspect the longer things are open the more will come and outfits doing it as well as the IWSR today will definitely help the cause.

 

As discussed on another thread: I think flexibility and adaptability are going to be key - what fits the market in August may not be the same as in September due to a different market. Those railways that can adapt their offering rapidly are most likely to prosper, I feel.

Tom

 

Indeed so. Advance online booking is a great tool to get an idea of likely numbers. However, it remains vital that a service is actually offered, even if the marginal costs of so doing represent a risk to especially hard up organisations. A "well I dunno" sort of approach demonstrated by a certain railway is unlikely to succeed.

 

Thanks for coming and for your complimentary remarks. Loadings have been very good so far, prompting the adoption of a 2 train service yesterday and today. To be fair it was needed more yesterday than today but with a 1 train service we would have been turning customers away so it was worth doing.

A lot of thought has gone into trying to get things right, some evolution is still happening and more will be needed. The three training days, some of which had test passengers, were very helpful. The station layout has been altered with an additional walking route to avoid a bottleneck and a queuing zigzag added.

The whole booking system has had to be reconfigured too. Most of it is online but telephone bookings are being accepted for passengers wishing to start at Wootton and Smallbrook Junction. Each compartment has been labelled so that passengers can end up in their allocated seats. We have chosen to continue per person pricing at standard rates and not move to charging per compartment or adjusting prices.

 

how does the telephone booking work, I'm thinking of visiting the railway next Sunday ( 9th August,) just me, and my dog, Now I don't mind sharing a compartment, with someone else, or a group of people, as long as they are wearing suitable protection ( face mask) and we are observing social distancing, as long as they are dog friendly , not everyone is, using the catereran and island line to Smallbrooke Junction.

 

You can book either by telephone or via the website. Dogs are permitted but, at the moment will have to be paid for at Smallbrook. It is best to have a look at the booking arrangements on the website.
Linked groups can travel without facemasks (although these things seem to be subject to minute to minute changes according to the latest Prime Ministerial wheeze.) If you find yourself sharing a compartment then a mask is obligatory. However, if you are the only person in the compartment then it is not required. However, as I said, it is best to enquire direct

 

Details are here https://iwsteamrailway.co.uk/book-tickets/ Specific relevant quotes from the FAQs are:-

HOW DO I BOOK FROM SMALLBROOK JUNCTION OR WOOTTON?

• If you’re travelling from Smallbrook Junction or Wootton, please book online for your outbound train. Our website shows the departure times from Havenstreet – please check our timetable here https://iwsteamrailway.co.uk/event/island-heritage-train-day/?mc_id=4326 to book yourself on the correct train.
• Either call us on 01983 882204 or email info@iwsteamrailway.co.uk, so that we can reserve your place on the train for your return journey from Havenstreet.

CAN I BOOK A DOG TICKET?

• We’re working to add these to our online system
• In the meantime please book online for the humans in your group, then buy a dog ticket at the ticket office when you arrive at the station

In reality the ticket office at Smallbrook Junction is unlikely to be open so, if that is the case, please buy your dog ticket from the ticket office at Havenstreet at some point before your return to Smallbrook Junction.

DO I NEED TO WEAR A FACE COVERING?

• In most cases, no. The vast majority of visitors will have their own compartment, used only by members of the same household.
• If you are travelling alone we may need you to share a compartment with another solo traveller. If this happens we will ask you to wear a face covering.
• From 24 July, please bring a face covering so that you can visit our shop.

Wightlink were stating that pre-booking the catamaran was essential but I can't find the requirement on their website https://www.wightlink.co.uk/ at the moment so maybe they have changed their minds.

I hope that you are able to come and that you enjoy your visit.

Nick

 

railway booked, now just got to book ferry edit: all booked paid for hoping for good weather and a calm crossing, I'm on the 10 50

 

Anyone arriving via Island Line should note that it's closed for two weekends this summer: the 15th/16th and 22nd/23rd of August.

https://www.southwesternrailway.com/plan-my-journey/planned-improvements/august-2020-works

 

I notice "Buses will run between Ryde Esplanade and Havenstreet for passengers travelling to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway"

 

They would need to be single deck.

 

If their not, they will be after they have gone under Station Rd Bridge

 

On Sunday 9th.August, the Island Heritage Train Day will feature A1x No. W11 hauling the four wheel set. Included in the rake will be I.W.R. "Oldbury" No. 10 in its first day of public service. Note that all of the vehicles in this train originated in the Victorian era.

 

Added bonus then, because I'm booked on that rake Sunday

 

I hope you will give us a report.

 

its going to be an interesting day, because I will have my dog in tow, and, she has never been on a train before, and never been on a boat either, but she don't mind travelling in the car, is never car sick so I'm hoping she will love the new experience , on the plus side, she is very sociable, loves people, because she gets plenty of attention.

 

I am sure you are aware that many people would really prefer to be dog free , especially if having to share a compartment. I hope you have a great trip however.

 

For allergy reasons we won't travel on a train if there is a dog.

The Island Echo has reported the London Transport Traction group said they will use battery power, and have started fundraising to get some sets to the Epping and Ongar line (which like the IoW line is now a steam line).
https://www.islandecho.co.uk/the-only-way-is-essex-group-set-up-to-preserve-island-line-train/
Presume they will try and get the 2 working sets. The set currently being refurbished could be brought by a IoW group to get it finished (with battery power?) to work ocasionally on the IoW line?.