Isle of Wight Steam Railway

Having had a large and boisterous Springer, this former dog owner would not have taken the hound to a preserved line because I would not have enjoyed the trip, as I'd have had to spend too much of it keeping him calm. I did it once, and learned my lesson.

Why do I mention it here? Because neither dogs, nor owners, nor those they encounter are all alike, and generalisations are unwise.

 

While generalisations might be unwise, if as a child you have once been threatened by a dog, you will tend to react badly to all dogs, and no amount of the owner saying “don’t worry, he won’t bite you” will alleviate that - least of all given that that is a common response by owners whose dogs are running out of control and who completely fail to perceive the worry they cause. An owner might perceive a difference between a dog running at a child in a friendly way and a threatening way, but the child likely won’t.

Tom

 

I completely agree; having both had the "pleaseure" of being jumped at by a large Alsatian and seen how slack other owners could be over their dogs.

 

my god, I hope some of you don't ever go into politics, you will be having all dogs euthanised judging by your posts, Childhood trauma is one thing, but people get over them, i was bitten as a child, it was my own fault, i put my hand out to a strange dog, , and it took it as being a threat, but what has this got to do with the IOWSR? NOTHING, how many passengers were attacked by a dog at the railway last year?

 

Wow, you have stirred up a hornets' nest!

These are on the IWSR website and will, I hope, be enough to satisfy everyone..

https://iwsteamrailway.co.uk/visit/faqs/can-i-bring-a-dog-to-the-railway/

• CAN I BRING A DOG TO THE RAILWAY?

On normal operating day dogs are very welcome to travel on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway with our Dog All-Day Rover ticket (see fares). We ask that dogs are kept on a short lead at all times. During some of our special events, we prefer dogs to be left at home. This policy is to maintain the safety and comfort of passengers and dogs and is applied at the Railway’s discretion.​

https://iwsteamrailway.co.uk/visit/faqs/can-i-book-a-dog-ticket/

• COVID-19 CUSTOMER INFORMATION
• 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.​

Note that all day rovers, both for humans and for dogs, are currently suspended in favour of tickets valid for one round trip. This is to enable us to maintain social distancing and give as many as possible a train ride. This has been very important as many trains have been fully booked, especially in the mornings.

 

well I promise to be on my best behaviour, I won't bite anyone, if I do, its only to see how nice you taste, I will be the one in the Hannibal mask

 

Are you coming by train? There'll be no Island Line service in the morning, possibly longer: https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/253570.aspx

All sorted.

 

Now reporting fixed

"Island Line services are now able to run as normal following a failure of the electricity supply between Ryde Pier Head and Shanklin."

 

Explains the whistle I heard a few minutes later, I thought I was hearing things....

 

thanks for the update if anyone is at the railway, want's to say hi,
I'm the gezzer in the patterned polo shirt being dragged round by the " cute" black dog got sav nav set( don't really need it) getting train from fratton, then the 9.15 ferry hopefully be over later

 

Day rovers for a dog? That's an appropriate name. <BJ>

 

Well I survived my trip to the Isle of Wight, very impressed with the system the railway uses, number 11 decided it wanted to play up, so that delayed us the coaching stock as always was immaculate and a credit to the hard work the staff must put in, the problem with 11 did eventually sort it self out , ( whistle valve stuck open) , So what was my experience of my day out, Well, bear in mind this was a first for me taking my dog along with me and she enjoyed it as much as i did she suffered from the heat a bit, but praise must go the some of the staff who offered water etc, you certainly are very dog friendly .
On her bit, she behaved very well , and did not play up, on the train, she sat on my lap and watched the scenery go by, she was excited a bit around the wooded area, but no red squirrels got harmed on the seacat, she just sat by my feet, made the odd whine, but virtually nothing, she certainly did not attract attention, except for a few, isn't she well behaved we got out at Ryde, first thing, so she would do her business, and being a good girl, she did, so no cleaning up afterwards needed,
She certainly attracted plenty of admiring looks and more than a few strokes, which she was pleased to accept ,

 

Good to meet you today Martin, glad that you enjoyed your time with us. It was an eventful day but everything sorted itself out in the end!

 

I really fealt for the footplate crew, not only was it hot, but a whistle blowing continuously at close quarters like that must have been the turn from hell, then between Smallbrook and Ashey, it stopped,

 

So, can I recommend the IOWSR, Yes, 100 per cent, whilst obviously loadings are not as you would normally get, it was still a good day out, and instructions were very clear, and made sence( something Wightlink need to learn as their system put waiting passengers right next to the ticket machines, at Ryde making a mockery of social distancing, because people need to use those machines )
whilst queuing is a pain, it was very well organised at Havenstreet, several staff, even asked if I needed water for my dog, due to the heat , luckily though I had some in my back pack , but clearly customer needs are well thought of.
Islander made himself known, and we had a chat , one locoman to another, so, full marks IOWSR.

 

Judging from the webcam, W11 is behaving itself today whilst there are lots of people travelling. If this is generally representative, those places who have decided against operating this year (other than those with technical issues) have really made a bloomer. (Addendum, W11 seems to have had another problem but the rest of the posting holds good!)

 

As with all heritage railways, the Coronavirus crisis has had a very serious effect on the IWSR's finances. We are currently struggling to find the money to ensure that our flagship locomotive Calbourne can be repaired in time for our fiftieth anniversary celebrations next year and have just launched an urgent '£24,000 for W24' Appeal. Details of how to donate can be found here

https://iwsteamrailway.co.uk/heritage/conservation-projects/calbourne/

Please give generously. Thank you!

 

That has to be the only (non-industrial) place a 'Mickey Mouse' could look that big!!

 

Judging by the number of people getting off the train it was well worth running today.