Isle of Wight Steam Railway

The Isle of Wight Steam Railway was visited on Tuesday 20 May. The one engine in steam was former Army Corps of Transport “Waggoner”, a Hunslet built ‘Austerity’ locomotive delivered to the Army in 1953 working on the Longmoor Military Railway. Ownership of the loco passed to IoWSR in May 2008. The Terriers A1X class W8 and W11 had both been in operation at the weekend as the cold ashes were being removed and cleaned generally.

The loco was hauling four well laden coaches nos S2416, 4168, 2403 and S6349 and it was noticeable that the trains were operating well loaded throughout the day. 2403 is noticeable for being the first bogie carriage with a disabled compartment, the coach was originally constructed in 1903. Whilst all described as LBSCR, 6349 was delivered in 1924 and is the “youngest” coach in Island service.

It was a first opportunity for this correspondent to see ‘Train Story’ a Heritage Lottery funded Rolling Stock Storage and Display Building. There are two introductory videos giving a brief history of Wight Locomotive Society and the preservation storyon the Isle of Wight. At the time of the visit one road was almost empty; no doubt this will soon be rectified. There is evidence around Haven Street of many future restoration projects in the form of grounded bodies. The quality of the output cannot be doubted.

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