Isle of Wight Steam Railway

No it’s just the two other Terriers - one of which has made a short term visit to the IOWSR. No other ex island steam locos survive.

The IOWSR does have its eye on some Beyer Peacock 2-4-0s in Australia, similar to those used on the IOW from tbe 1860s. However they are classed as historic assets by the Australian government, so getting permission to repatriate one wouldn’t be easy.

There was once talk of building another O2 to compliment Calbourne, That doesn’t seem likely in the foreseeable future though.

 

The two Terriers that the IWSR do own are the two with the greatest Island connection - Newport is the last surviving IWCR engine and Freshwater is a unique survivor from the LSWR, and the FYNR. The other two Island terriers that survived spent less than a decade on the Island.

I think there is a lot of potential to build replica island engines if the will and money is availabe - a second O2 would be wonderful, but a replica of Ryde would be ideal for running with the Oldbury coaches.

 

Not genuine Island pedigree, but an Island type is the Bluebell's E4 - a couple of which were trialled on the IoW I think just after WW2. I suspect it would prove a pretty handy bit of kit for the same niche currently occupied by the Ivatts, i.e. the heavier trains. The existing loco has visited Havenstreet for a summer visit some years ago.

Tom

 

A replica BP 2-4-0 should be quite do able, Whilst the Australians will never sanction re patriation of one of their existing engines, scans could be taken, to allow drawing to be made, and there's the very similar Isle of man engines, that could be looked at, if a replica ever got to the building state, the boiler, is small enough to not be a problem for say the likes of Isreal -Newton, to produce the pressings etc,

 

Just the one - 2510.

IMHO if a new-build were ever considered for the island, it'd be best to go for an early one, such as an IWR BP - that fills a big gap in the island railway story. Though as we now know that at least three of the first four Cowes & Newport coaches survive, a replica "Pioneer" would be fairly spectacular!

 

Given that a number of 'Southern' 0-4-4T's survive in preservation I suggest that an IWR Beyer Peacock would be more interesting than another 02

 

I seem to remember once reading about a plan to build another O2 alongside a BP 2-4-0. It was suggested that economies could be gained by doing both at the same time, although not sure how as it’s not like they share any parts is it? Obviously nothing has come of that yet though.

 

Martin the locos in question are nothing like the BP Isle of Man 2-4-0s. The NSW F351 class 2-4-0s were closely based on the 1864 design built for the Isle of Wight and two survive "down under". One, 1033, is in the NSW Transport Museum at Thirlmere and the other, 1042, is under restoration in Maitland. Here is the one at Thirlmere which proved very difficult to photograph when I was there last year

Another similar but broad gauge 2-4-0 of the same era survives in the South Australia Railway Museum in Port Adelaide. As new builds go these seem to be pretty basic and easy(??)to replicate

Peter

 

Didn't I once read that the IOWSR possess the regulator handles off each of the O2s? So, we're into rebuild territory aren't we?
Pat

 

There’s definitely a rear bogie from W31 “Chale” That practically counts as “frames” and we all know the identity of a loco is inextricably linked to the frames

Tom

 

Wasn't there a report years ago that someone had the backhead from an O2 built into the fireplace in their house?

 

is 11's Newport nameplate original? I've just bought an 00 model in BR black and wondering....

 

If a new O2 is ever constructed, I imagine it probably would be numbered W31. It’s the one that got away. The founders of the IOWSR wanted to buy it as well as Calbourne, but were thwarted by lack of funds.

 

Kind of like Spitfires - one genuine part from one to start with, and build the rest of it new!

 

W31, was the bogie a spare, from Ryde works? or was it saved when W31 was cut up? Part of me always wonders, what if the engine had been saved by claiming it for the national collection, It could have been shunted over to the works, and stored in the old overhaul shop, then, shipped back, or retained at Ryde, until the IOWSR had been established.

 

The Southwold 2-4-0 can't be that different

 

Not once you overlook the difference in size and track gauge and consider the difference in builder, I guess not much different. The thing about the NSW locos is that they are pretty much an exact copy of the IoW originals even down to their looks.

Peter

 

No way it'll fit, you'll squash it

 

The name would have been carried from 1930 through to when the loco was sent back to the mainland in 1947 - it didn't carry a name when in BR livery.