Isle of Wight Steam Railway Loco updates

I am looking forward to my first visit of the year next weekend! It's an impressive line up.
On a separate note, is there any indication of when the Ivatt will be ready for passenger action?

 

Although work is continuing on 41298 when it can, we are back to the time of year where the focus switches to keeping the service fleet on the road. I really couldn't say when it will be ready for any sort of action, let alone passenger action. Making predictions in this business is a dangerous game!

 

Thanks, and all the best with it. I look forward to THAT gala!

 

Had a great time at the IOW Dinosaurs of Steam gala and wondered if anyone knew what the plan with the W2 is? I know they have it on display in the train story musuem but are they planning to steam her in the near future?

http://locoyard.com/2014/05/28/isle-of-wight-spring-gala-overall/

These are my best photos from the gala got to admit Calbourne stole the show for me .. she was very impressive in the wet conditions

 

Some really nice shots there Simon - and congratulations - enjoy the day!


Keith

 

W2 will be a job for the future, the very small Loco workshop at Havenstreet rather limits the activities of the Loco dept. There are plans afoot to create a new heavy overhaul workshop alongside Train Story, which will leave the present workshop as a running shed. It is possible that when it becomes the running shed that the track layout could be completly revamped, as when more than 2 Locos are in steam the yard is very cramped.

 

Thanks for the info! By the sounds of it would give you something similar to the MHRs education room where you let visitors can see the overhaul of locomotives from a room looking down on it.

 

A set of Gala pictures have now been added to the IWSR website, featuring the three Island engines, the 4-wheelers, the LBSCR bogie set (the Chathams are all currently off the road for underframe repairs) and the heritage goods set.

Apart from losing W11 for a few hours on the Sunday morning and one of the Brighton coaches for half a day everything went really well, a great weekend to see the Island railway at it's best. We even had a visitor from Scotland desperate to see Ajax in steam - we were able to oblige!

 

Some brilliant shots! I was talking to a guy from Gloucester who came down just to a see Newport and a couple from Ireland who arranged a holiday to the Isle of Wight around the gala. The railway drew people from all over for the gala.

 

The latest edition of Locomotive Operating News is now published on the IWSR website, with coverage of W11's return to traffic and the recent Spring Gala - 'Dinosaurs of Island Steam'.

http://www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk/news/locomotive-operating-news-june-2014-119.aspx

 

Just to point out that the timetable leaflet says that the timetabled goods runs on the second Sunday of each month whilst the website extract referred to about says it is the first Sunday! I think the leaflet is right but something needs amendment.

Paul H.

 

That's corrected now.

The June Island Steam Day is actually today, so if anyone is looking for a good day out get over to the Island!

 

Will be there

Paul H.

 

I should have mentioned that there are cheap travel deals from the mainland to be had, details on the Fares page.

Top tip for bringing your car to the Island - Book in advance whenever possible, it is almost always cheaper and there are some good deals on the Wightlink and Red Funnel web sites.

 

On the website it says Blue timetable, but on another page "Special timetable" is mentioned.

Which is it?

Is the special timetable available anywhere?

 

Nick,

Thanks for identifying this slight disconnect!

The passenger service today is Blue, as stated on the website and in our publicity leaflet. I believe that the 'Special' bit refers to the Goods train, which does two round trips in the morning (Depart Havenstreet in Wootton direction at 1006hrs, engine back on shed at 1302hrs) and a round and a half in the afternoon (Depart Havenstreet in Smallbrook direction 1404hrs, final arrival at Havenstreet 1557hrs).

I'll pass your comments on and see if the website page can be changed.

Tony

 

After receiving additional information I've been able to update the latest IWSR Loco Ops News with details of a change of management structure and also 0f a new initiative for this year, Footplate Experience.

it is now possible to book a round trip on the footplate of the service loco of the day. The uptake so far has been encouraging; it adds to the visitor experience for those that wish to take advantage and is an additional source of revenue for the railway, with the proceeds being directed to the Engineering Department.

 

Any idea whether one of the oldies will be out this weekend? Thanks.

 

I do know that W24 is working from tomorrow, the service over the last few days has been W8 and W11

 

Many thanks! So if I pop along on Sat or Sun, I could reasonably expect a bit of Calbourne action?