Isle of Wight Steam Railway

The railway's updated Strategic Vision is now on the website. This gives details of the plans for the next twenty or so years and also gives a summary of what has been achieved since the original document was published in 2009.

Please follow this link: http://www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk/strategic-vision.aspx

 

Interesting to read the updates. Also interesting to see they are keen to buy the other two remaining ex IOW terriers. I know they are unlikely to come up for sale, but it's the first time I have heard the IOWSR express an interest in them.

 

Have the IOWSR considered what they would do if the IOW Council wanted to run tram-trains over their line between Ryde and Newport?

 

I do not believe that tram trains have ever been proposed over the line between Ryde and Newport by the Council or any other body.

 

I did say IF. The IOW transport system is firmly stuck in the 20th century and something's got to give sooner or later..

 

I would say that certain parts of the Island are stuck in a time even earlier than that mind you that can be a good thing!

 

You'll be wanting a fixed link to the mainland next!

 

There is more liklyhood of the IOWSR being asked can we borrow a terrier and the 4 wheeler rake by island line than any modern tram train idea, saying that, i bet there are a few who would pay very good money to ride to shanklin behind 8 with 11 top and tailing,
are you still hopefull of running to Ryde St Johns, Gary?

 

Ah, back to the future, Edwardian style!

Tom

 

I wouldn't say that it is 100% certain to happen, but it is something that Island Line would like to happen. A service frequency of 20mins, then 40mins throughout the main part of the day isn't brilliant when they connect with the 30min frequency Fastcat service. They would like to reinstate the loop at Brading as it is the approximate middle of the line

Running through to Ryde St Johns would make a tremendous difference to the IOWSR, Esplanade would be even better

 

I bet Island line would, because once at St Johns, both lines become linked ,so they would have access to your PW dept for maintaince such as re ballasting , followed by relaying one of the running lines through the tunnel, to steam clearances, un rebuilding the pier head , to provide a run round loop, , followed by, well we have to check that 24 will still fit, oh and whilst we are at it, we might as well gauge the ivatts also

 

I wonder what sort of condition the Railway Pier is in? Would certainly be a dream to see steam on the pier again, but sadly I cannot see it happening without a great deal of will and money

 

As far as IOW Steam goes it is seen as the holy grail, what is the axle weight of the currant ex tube stock? i assume a terrier and 6, 4 wheelers would be less than a 4 car 1938 train in NSE days did any of the 03's ever venture out beyond espanade ? or was the tunnel now so low that only tube stock could pass through .

 

O2s ran to the end of the pier with bogie stock. The tunnel did ocasionally flood and trackbed may have been raised when tube stock introduced

 

it is quite a complex situation, if you take into account that the Pier is overdue heavy maintenance. I don't think that clearance in the tunnel is an issue any more after major work a number of years ago. With the current track layout Top and tail would be the only option.

Not sure that I would be too keen on the coaching stock going along the pier again on a regular basis, we are still dealing with the corrosion issues from BR days!

 

Any news on the Ivatt tank ?

 

Slow progress, it may pick up pace with the completion of W11

 

Thanks for the update, I'm looking forward to visiting next year, I'm guessing there may be a special event at some point..

 

2014 should see a very healthy loco fleet with W8, W11, W24, 192, 198, 41298 and Ajax in service!

 

Isn't much of the track layout on the electric Island line between Ryde Pier and Smallbrook a leftover from steam days? Especially the double track between Ryde St. Johns and Smallbrook, which must be a relic of when the Newport/Cowes line diverged there, due to the 2 flows of traffic which had to share it until that point before the Newport line closed?