The award winning magazine of the Steam Railway No 78 Spring 2018 £3.50 Snow transforms the Railway in March

Ivatt 2MT 41313 W24 Telegraph poles From the Archives enters revenue back on the project helped highlights earning service tracks following by making use Horringford on 4 April her overhaul of cherry picker station ISLAND RAIL NEWS An interesting start to 2018 for the Railway The Isle of Wight Railway Company Ltd No 78 Spring 2018 An unusual event took place on the Isle of Wight in March, we had a Board ilway No 78 Spring 2018 £3.50 ISSN 1465-623X considerable fall of snow completely transforming the landscape. This

Chairman Stephen Oates The award winning magazine of the Isle of Wight Steam Ra phenomenon doesn't happen that often here on the Island, especially on the days Managing Editor/Designer Directors Derek Bishop Snow transforms when we are operating trains. So we offer no excuse in featuring many snowy Mike Lambert Steve Castle the Railway scenes throughout this magazine. Peter Conway in March One old favourite and one newbie can now be seen hauling trains now that News Editor Stuart Duddy Stuart Duddy Nick Felton Calbourne is back in action and Ivatt 41313 has entered revenue earning service. Simon Futcher More photographs of Calbourne will be featured in future IRNs once she gets back Features Editor Peter Keeling in her stride. Iain Whitlam Jim Loe As an add-on to the article reporting on some remedial work at station, IRN Photographer Steve Smart Malcolm Smith we show two on-location photographs taken at Ashey during the filming of a John Faulkner John Suggett children's television programme back in 1992. A link is provided to YouTube to be Peter Taylor able to watch the programme. Published quarterly by Secretary Iain Whitlam Iain Whitlam's liveries update on page 19 gives us something to look forward The Isle of Wight Railway Company Limited General Manager Peter Vail From the Archives to as he tells us of colour changes to some of our favourite locomotives. This can The Railway Station, , Telegraph poles highlights Finance Manager Linda Walker W24 Calbourne project helped Horringford be quite a tricky subject as people have their own personal preferences as far as by making use station Isle of Wight PO33 4DS Commercial Manager and Ivatt 2MT 41313 back on the enters revenue tracks following of cherry picker liveries are concerned. Telephone 01983 882204 Heritage Railway Association earning service her overhaul www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk Representative Jim Loe on 4 April Ian Pratt's article on page 27 tells us what can be seen by the as we Operating Manager Clive Miller journey along the line in springtime. This will hopefully be a series of seasonal Patrons Manager Kenny Laird offerings adding a new dimension to travelling on our trains. Christopher Green Rail Foreman Pete Corby Front cover photograph: 198 Royal steaming through the snow on 18 March. this issue highlights Horringford station in our 'From the Archives' spot. We Hugh Boynton Estates Foreman Mark Gray Roger Millward are lucky to have such a wealth of material by which to remember these stations A registered charity and company limited by guarantee Locomotive Foreman Andrew Summers Back cover photograph: Carriage & Wagon Foreman Dave Smart which are no longer there. The contents of this magazine are not necessarily the expressed Ivatt 2MT Class 41313 passing a bank of primroses on 8 April. Now that the snow is a faded memory we can look forward to the warm, sunny views of The Isle of Wight Railway Company Limited. Retail & Catering Manager Nick Boycott Ian Pratt Health & Safety Officer Jim Roberts MBE days that are so much more a feature of the Isle of Wight. Membership Secretary Allen Atley Mike Lambert Managing Editor Museum & Archives Manager Steve Holden Volunteer Co-ordinator Lead Geoff Purdue Island Rail News is sponsored, designed and printed on the Senior Train Story Guides Roger Fruen and Malcolm McCree Isle of Wight by Crossprint Ltd. Telephone 01983 524885 Museum Mentor Gary Wragg Contents General Manager’s Report 4 Appeal News and 200 Club Winners 5 crossprint.co.uk Our Grateful Thanks 5 Special Events Report 6

Ashey Station fascia lift 7 info

News from the Boardroom 8 @ 01983 Museum Matters 8 cross Telegraph Poles Progress 10 print

Traffic Office Latest Report 12 524885

Rail Infrastructure Report 15 .co.uk Locomotive Workshop Files 16 info IRN Gallery 18  PRINT A Update on Liveries 19 @  DESIGN cross Carriage & Wagon Workshop Files 20  PACKAGING

Winter Wonderland Mysteries 23 print  PERSONALISATION 524885 Museum Artefacts 23  DISPLAY Once Upon a Time 24 .co.uk  PUBLISHING

Trackside Flora and Fauna 27  WEB 01983 From the Archives – Horringford 28 Tribute – Ken Boulton 32 Postbag 33 Membership Matters 35 John Faulkner

2 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2108 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2018 3 IWSR Chairman n e w Thes good reputation of our appointed to HRA role Railway continues to grow... ISLE OF WIGHT Steam Railway Chairman Steve Oates has been appointed CEO of the Heritage Railway Association (HRA). ... reports General Manager, Peter Vail This is a new role and is the HRA's first full-time paid executive position. Until now, the HRA has been Following weeks of operators and Island movement. Last year it was apologies for taking our project largely completed entirely volunteer-run but, as the heritage railway careful planning, by accommodation providers, indicated that to increase Chairman; I responded in 2017 and which we were industry’s national trade and membership organisation, Sunday 18 March our site we are able to get an early the value of the HRA it by congratulating them hoping to reveal with the its membership and board felt that the time was right was prepared and our feel for what to expect. would, for the first time, on making a good choice. publication of an IRN Special to establish a full-time post to head-up and lead the organisation. Virtually all UK heritage railways and steam team ready to receive our The message I am picking seek to employ a key person Of course, this will bring to be dispatched in mid- Above: The cottage seen in about 1930. centres are members of the Association, including the first visitors of the 2018 up this year is that the to manage the organisation about a major change to March. I also referred to a Left: In very recent times. season. Unfortunately, we early off-peak months are as Chief Executive Officer. our board and, at the time confidentiality issue and, IWSR. The heritage railway movement employs nearly awoke to a fair covering of looking promising, whereas I certainly supported this of preparing this report, I do regretfully, this remains 4,000 full-time personnel, engages some 18,500 volunteers Pound Lane Crossing Cottage fresh snow and some very advance bookings for the move as a way to add not know who will succeed in force and our hands are and is estimated to be worth over £250million in economic One of our members, Arthur Reeder, has emailed IRN recently to advise that the difficult road conditions. peak summer period are further professionalism to Steve as Chairman. What still tied. However, our impact. little crossing keeper's cottage at Pound Lane, along the route of the Despite this a sufficient a little weaker. Actually, our industry. I do know is that person Railway's 2017 Annual Steve is our Railway’s longest-serving director, having erstwhile Freshwater, Yarmouth & Newport Railway has been demolished. To quote number of volunteers and this is becoming a trend What I did not know will have a good supportive Report circulated recently given 33 years’ unbroken service since first being elected Arthur, "It’s a shame that this little gem has gone, but times do move on". staff arrived at Havenstreet with holidaymakers to the until a few days before the team. to our members does make to the board in 1985. During his early years as a director to get our service up and Island booking late, often conference was that our Actually, the HRA a few brief references to the Steve was able to put his professional skills as a chartered running, albeit with some for short breaks. We now own Chairman, Steve Oates, conference was again project, the restoration of surveyor to good use for the Railway. He became the delays and cancellations unfortunately must accept had not only applied for the extremely valuable in terms an Oldbury railway carriage Company’s sixth Chairman in January 2008, taking over as detailed in Clive Miller’s few families take a summer role but was successful in of both the seminars and built new for the Isle of from John Suggett, who remains an active director and still Appeal News operating report on page two-week break in the UK. being awarded the position. the networking, offering Wight Railway Company holds the record for our longest-serving Chairman at 17 12. A great team effort Another early-season Through the pages of Island the opportunity to compare in 1864 – IWR Composite years. To avoid any actual or perceived conflicts of interest, 200 Club ensured that those visitors opportunity to meet with Rail News I pass my sincere notes with the general 10. The restoration was & who braved the elements to others and compare notes congratulations to Steve managers and senior undertaken as a part of a Steve will be stepping down as the Railway’s Chairman reach Havenstreet were not is the March Heritage who, as a condition of his representatives of other television series produced after the AGM in mid-May. As determined by the Articles of Association his successor will be appointed by the board, WOOTTON APPEAL disappointed. Railway Association (HRA) appointment, must step preserved and heritage for Channel 4. The IRN The winter quarter is always the quietest for fund-raising. Nonetheless, as at the end of probably at its first meeting after the GA M. Steve will After this initial hiccup at two-day conference, usually down as Chairman but railways. These networking Special will detail this March the total raised stood at £25,000. Although there is not much of substance to report remain on the board as a director and trustee. the start of the season we held in the West Midlands. will remain as a Director sessions can involve intense exciting project from start yet, the Wootton team is working hard on the preliminaries such as surveys and estimates. Born and educated in Ryde, Steve joined the Isle of should have had the Ashey The HRA is our umbrella serving our board. At the conversations that often go to finish, but we cannot Please keep the contributions coming. If you wish to donate online you can do so through Wight Steam Railway in 1975 as a 13-year-old. Having Scurry to look forward to trade organisation and conference in Birmingham on into the early hours of release this level of detail or the Railway’s website at http://www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk/make-a-donation.aspx quickly progressed as a locomotive cleaner, he was soon a week later on Sunday 25 can be a vital source of I received from a number the next morning! photographs until the final Thank you for your support so far! March. On a sunny spring information relevant to of HRA directors their In my previous IRN programme in the series of firing steam locomotives shuttling back and forth between day this can turn Ashey the preserved railway report I referred to a five has been transmitted. Havenstreet and Wootton, the extent of our operation station into an interesting At the time of preparing this at that time. Steve has chaired the Island Steam Show SECR CARRIAGES APPEAL and busy countryside report we understand that organising committee since 1997 and his dulcet ‘radio We are delighted to report that the total raised has now passed the £150,000 milestone. Great halt. Unfortunately, ten the first programme will air voice’ tones can be heard during the four-day event as he progress is being made with the restoration of SECR Brake Third 4149, and this will be followed days before the event we on Channel 4 in late-May – provides the commentary to various arena activities. Steve by Composite 6375. Donations towards this appeal are still very welcome as we will need at received the news that do not miss it, it will make has also recently returned to footplate duties and hopes to least £200,000. If you wish to contribute, the web address is owing to excessive rain the for good viewing! regain his fireman’s ticket in the near future. http://www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk/make-a-donation.aspx decision had been taken I end this report by Steve was instrumental in establishing Isle of Wight to not risk the horses and welcoming to our Railway Radio in 1990, but new business opportunities took him 200 Club DRAW riders, meaning that the Kenny Laird as our new away from the Island in 1993, initially to West Dorset before The winners of the March 2018 draw were as follows: 2018 event was cancelled. Engineering Manager. he settled in west Sussex with his two daughters in 1996. 1st Prize: £350 Martin Edwards, Nottingham (No 104) With this somewhat Kenny’s appointment is We would like to offer Steve our warmest congratulations 2nd Prize: £150 Roy Johnstone, Wootton, Isle of Wight (No 242) stuttering start to our formally announced in on securing this new position and offer our best wishes for 3rd Prize: £75 Michael Parker, London (No 157) season we could have this edition of IRN. Having the challenges that the role will doubtless bring. Congratulations to all the winners and thanks are offered to all 200 Club members for your become somewhat advertised the vacancy ongoing support. disillusioned, but none of we were delighted to that was necessary! The receive many very strong good reputation of our applications and we Railway continues to grow followed a robust selection and we now know that and interview procedure. Our Grateful Thanks throughout the season the I have every confidence WE WOULD LIKE to thank the following members who have made donations in the occasional setback will that Kenny’s vast railway past few months: Mr G Bixley, Mr R Brooker, Mr P R Brooks, Mr S Castle, Mr A Clyde, be overcome with many knowledge and experience Mr & Mrs C Fox, Mr & Mrs C Howard, Mr S Leal, Mr R J Maycock, Mr N Olley, successes. Of course, we will be invaluable to us. Mr A J W Phippard, Mr C I Purkis, S G & P A Reed and M J R Thornton. Donations have been received from the Bluebell Railway, the Colonel Stephens never quite know what the Having reduced his hours Society, the World Ship Society and the Isle of Wight Morris Minor Owners Club. forthcoming season will of work Bob Huxtable will Finally we would like to thank all our members who have made a donation when bring but through regular work alongside Kenny renewing their subscriptions. contact with Visit Isle of as Deputy Engineering Linda Walker Finance Manager Wight, the cross-Solent 198 Royal Engineer departing Havenstreet on 18 March. John Faulkner Manager. Steve Oates seen on the footplate of Calbourne. Steve Castle

4 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2108 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2018 5

Special Events report Ashey station receives a fascia lift newBy Eventss Officer Liz Tagart Stuart Duddy sets the scene We have just come out and there are the unusual During what everyone Our 2018 events BEING OUR SLEEPY wayside of the period in the year jobs, such as ensuring that thinks of as the quiet time season has started but station, Ashey doesn’t often when some people think Santa’s suit is taken to the of the year I can assure unfortunately not in a good make the news pages of IRN, that nothing much happens dry cleaners (and doing you that the Events team way. The Ashey Scurry was although the installation at the Railway, especially so without bumping into has already made plenty cancelled owing to poor two years ago of a replica, in the Events Department. any children on the way). of preparations for 2018. ground conditions. With SR-style concrete name- The truth, however, is very While still on the subject, Exhibitor paperwork has Easter Fun being our next board, skilfully fabricated by different. For us, the year Christmas presents have been sent out and much of event we had hoped for a long-standing member Chris starts with the taking down already been purchased it has now been returned. good start on Good Friday, Whiting, certainly warranted and careful storage of our for the 2018 Santa Specials Our 1940s Experience but the day was largely a a mention (IRN 70, Spring Christmas decorations and and colleagues are already committee has had several wash out, with torrential rain 2016, p6). Even then, the lights. Although a quicker taking delight in reminding meetings and we have a throughout the day deterring fascia boards around the process than putting it me how many weeks it is new entertainment line-up many visitors. However, I simple waiting shelter were up in the autumn, it still until it’s time to get the for 2018. Our set builders am glad to report that things starting to look shabby and takes a fair amount of time decorations out again. will be uncovering their improved on the Saturday, in need of attention. Two new addition to the 1940s Sunday and Monday. years later, and with no sign street scene and this will be Entertainment was provided of any action, a small group The waiting shelter at Ashey, before and after the fascia boards were replaced on Sunday 18 February 2018. Stuart Duddy something not to be missed. by Greg Chapman and Haven decided to take the initiative. The Island Steam Show Falconry and we also held The shelter was built when British Railways re-aligned the single line at Ashey, can be seen in the opening minutes of the first episode, available committee has also met our regular Easter bonnet through Ashey away from the original Up Loop and across to the bed of the online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyPhI_4jwZg. on several occasions. competition, with judging former Down Loop, constructing a new, three-carriage-length platform on It is not known when the shelter fascia boards were last renewed but, All entertainment has taking place each day at the site of its predecessor. This had become necessary when the notorious being softwood, their replacement was heading up the priority list on been booked with our 13.15. It’s an old-fashioned clay subsoil started causing movement of the former Up platform. Seeing health and safety grounds. arena events this year idea but the children very little patronage, only basic passenger facilities were required at the The project was led by steam fireman and diesel driver Chris Parish. consisting of two of our do put in a lot of effort station. The new 180ft platform and shelter served their purpose from the In his day job Chris is a woodworking craftsman employed at Clare favourite acts from previous although, unfortunately, official opening date of 18 June 1961 until the final Ryde – services Lallow Boatyard in Cowes. His first task was to take the dimensions of years, ‘The Sheep Show’ one entrant on the Sunday operated less than five years later, on 20 February 1966. the existing boards before acquiring and preparing the timber for their and ‘Joseph Peace Fire was disqualified. It wasn’t Ashey station re-opened as a request stop on 2 May 1993, almost two replacement. He chose mahogany for its longevity. The timber was Stunt Spectacular’. Of acceptable for the train years after the Havenstreet – Smallbrook extension had been opened. painted prior to being taken to site on Sunday 18 February, together with course, there’ll be other guard to think that he could However, the station was witness to plenty of activity in October 1992 a generator, the necessary tools and some paint to touch-up the ends W24 Calbourne's third day back entertainment too, but if I enter the competition by during the filming of children’s drama The Return of the Psammead which exposed after being sawn and for giving another coat overall. in service following her overhaul reveal everything now there simply placing a pot of utilised the services of Stroudley 'Terrier' W11. The little shelter was The job, including the removal and re-attachment of the guttering on seen on Easter Day at Havenstreet. won’t be anything to look daffodils onto his guard's transformed beyond all recognition by the television production company. John Faulkner the rear fascia, took around three hours and in addition to Chris, thanks forward to. hat! The photographs below left and right, which show the filming, were taken are due to Len Pullinger and Steve Smart for their assistance with the by the late Brian Deegan. Footage, including some taken on the train and project.

This page and opposite: Filming The Return of the Psammead. Brian Deegan

6 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2108 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2018 7 News from the Boardroom Compiled by Iain Whitlam, Company Secretary

DURING THE PERIOD luckily was caught by his Department report on page some shares as part of a 5-year capital expenditure under review, the board mother before coming to 12 of this IRN. legacy. If anyone else wants plan, we are seeking ways has devoted considerable grief – highlights a chain We have agreed a to include us in their legacy to use this to prompt the time to safety matters. An of procedural lapses. This summary of the new Child in future, we can now cope need for pre-planning, Incident Review Committee reinforces the need to and Vulnerable Persons with receiving securities working up projects to a has been reconvened to ensure rigorous checks Protection Policy. Copies of too! ‘ready-to-go’ stage for look at recent operating on equipment being fit this will be made available Peter Vail, Linda Walker ensuing annual capital incidents and determine for use. We were at the to all staff and volunteers. and her finance team budget submissions. what learning points and receiving end of a different With the General Data had their work cut out in We congratulate our remedial action might help type of incident at the Protection Regulation January and February, chairman, Steve Oates, minimise the likelihood of beginning of the year: on superseding the Data preparing the annual who has taken a job as recurrence. Ahead of its a light note (pun intended) Protection Act, we have accounts for audit. To CEO of the Heritage findings, we have already a pickup truck pulled into been considering what their credit, despite all the Railway Association – its smartened up ways for Wootton station car park changes are needed to how various accounting practice first employee. Steve has the Duty Manager – or the with a fire fault, which then we store and use personal updates to cope with, the therefore indicated he will Person in Charge of Work gutted the vehicle. The data. This includes auditors were able to issue stand down as Chairman in on non-operating days – to vehicle was removed the conducting an audit of an unqualified audit letter. the near future, although log near misses. This was following morning. Further where we hold data. Having created a rolling remaining a director. prompted by someone details can be found in We have adopted a policy Finally, we have reporting an incident, Clive Miller’s Operating to hold stocks, shares, completed the purchase of albeit non-reportable, to bonds and other securities, some additional land from the Office of Rail & Road prompted by being offered our neighbour Mark Griffin: and the Rail Accident 2.4 acres beyond what Investigation Branch. You we know as Griffin’s Field just don’t know who is and almost one acre of watching you nowadays, woodland between Griffin's not least with all the digital Field and the overflow car Narnia comes to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway on 18 March! The pheasant moved shortly after the photograph was taken. John Faulkner media around! To reinforce park at Havenstreet. This the need to up our game purchase will allow scope in various ways, a recent to extend the Train Story RAIB report on a scary shunting neck at a future close shave which occurred date, offering greater A Warm Welcome on another heritage opportunity to use land in railway – where a young Griffin's Field for future child entered a carriage sidings and facilities, whilst awaits you at the White Hart toilet from which the floor maintaining a buffer zone had been removed but with our neighbours. when visiting the Railway Museum Matters * Families Welcome An update from Steve Holden, Museum & Archives Manager * Selection of Real Ales WHILE THE RAILWAY was closed during the Only 5 minutes walk winter the Museum Team continued cataloguing * the collection and other work relating to our The Railway’s On the acquisitions front we have obtained a number application to the Arts Council to become an Gold Medal of archive documents: perhaps the most interesting are from the Steam Railway Accredited Museum. This should be submitted by two ‘Notices to Treat’ issued by the Isle of Wight (Newport Food served the time you read this report. Winner ) Railway to a landowner at in 1871. We have also been updating the Museum Apparently, these were the equivalent to compulsory Monday to Saturday Gallery. For this summer we have small purchase orders. The documents were kindly presented by exhibitions about ferries, the Historic Ryde Society, to which we offer our thanks. 12pm to 2.30pm and 6pm to 9pm and William Stroudley who, at the Paris Once again, the high auction sale prices commanded (Last orders 15 minutes prior to end of service) Exposition of 1878, won a gold medal for by Isle of Wight railway items has been illustrated. An Isle Sunday 12pm to 8pm (last orders 7.30pm) White Hart Inn his ‘Terrier’ locomotive Brighton, now W11 of Wight Railway watch made by W L Hoskin (the maker (Newport) in the IWSR collection. We will of clock now in our museum collection) sold at a (High Season Only) Main Road ~ Havenstreet also be producing a booklet (right) about recent auction for £2,600 – a sum more than double what William Stroudley which will be on sale in we were willing to offer. By comparison, other watches in the Railway shop with the proceeds going the same auction sold for less than one third of that of the 01983 883485 email [email protected] www.whitehartiow.co.uk to the museum funds for conservation. IWR watch.

8 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2108 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2018 9 Wedding congratulations

The Telegraph Pole Project s WE ARE DELIGHTED to matron of honour and taken a keen interest in record the recent marriage two granddaughters, our rail infrastructure and news tensioning process went without a hitch (other than the An update from Stuart Duddy of two long-serving Keneisha Pointer and been an active volunteer, it author clouting his thumb with a hammer while attaching a members of the Isle of Ellie Macnamara, as was logical that he should WITH OUR COLLEAGUES in the Engineering length of capping to the pole)! Wight Steam Railway family. bridesmaids. Dave’s take over as Permanent Department having hired a cherry picker for At Wootton, we completed the preparatory work to Finance Manager Linda brother-in-law, Peter Way Manager when Ray a 16-day period in mid-January, to undertake connect the overhead wires between the final pole and the Macnamara and volunteer Insley, was his best man. Winter retired as Chief Civil w various rail infrastructure and estates work, insulators now secured to the signal cabin, just below the and former staff member Linda’s grandsons also Engineer in early-2005. we were also able to seize upon the availability gable end, returning to Havenstreet as darkness fell. Dave Walker were married played an active role in the Dave fulfilled the role until of the plant for a couple of days and further Heavy rain was expected for Sunday 21 January and, on Friday 16 February proceedings, with Oscar early-2014 when he decided progress our project between regrettably, the forecasters weren’t wrong. Nevertheless, e at Ryde Castle in the Macnamara as page boy to pursue an alternative Havenstreet and Wootton. The main focus for we continued our work, re-securing wires to insulators company of many friends and Josh, Jamie and Billy career path. However, the weekend of 20 and 21 January was the where necessary and then completing the final span to and colleagues from the Macnamara all ushers. Dave has remained a attachment of stays to those poles at the end of the insulators attached to the signal cabin at Wootton. We Dave and Linda.

Railway. The wedding Linda was employed as regular volunteer within the n runs. made good use of the little coal-fired stove in the ‘Shark’ ceremony was followed by Finance Manager in the team since for a cruise around New Wellington, Tauranga We started with the poles either side of brake van and a portable gas ring meant that warming hot a reception and, later, by an spring of 2009, taking over then. Zealand. Highlights of the and Bay of Islands. Their Guildford Farm crossing on the Saturday. drinks were available. In fact, it was quite tough to motivate Len Pullinger (left) and evening event. the role from from Di Akers, A couple of days after the cruise were New Zealand’s journey back to the UK was Steve Smart digging a hole Having attached the wire to the Up side pole, just below ourselves to leave the comfort of the cosy van and return to Given away by her two who continues to provide wedding, Linda and Dave remote Fjordlands where broken with a two-night for the final stay anchor, the lower cross-arm, we endeavoured to secure the other work after each break. immediately behind the sons, Neil and Kevin, valuable support for Linda. jetted off down to Sydney, the ship entered Milford, stop-over in Dubai. end to the anchor which had been installed several weeks During the following week Roger Fruen drilled a hole platform ramp at Wootton. Linda was attended by Dave was, for many years, Australia where they stayed Doubtful and Dusty Sounds, We wish the couple a Stuart Duddy earlier. However, this particular anchor proved somewhat into the end wall of the signal cabin at Wootton through her daughter-in-law our shop sales manager. for a few days before joining and port stops at Dunedin, long and happy marriage. troublesome and try as we might, we were unable to which the pair of wires was passed, representing an Nikki Macnamara as However, having always Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 Akaroa (for Christchurch), tension the wire. Short of digging out the anchor by hand important milestone in the project. Three weeks later, on a and replacing it – a thought which didn’t fill any bright Sunday 11 February, we resolved the problem of the of us with much enthusiasm, especially in view troublesome stay anchor for the pole on the Up side of the Towards the end of 2017 of the weather and the nature of the water- line adjacent to Guildford Farm crossing using a tensioning our Engineering Manager, New Engineering Manager logged clay subsoil – our attention turned to device. We also hand-dug holes and installed two more Bob Huxtable, formally the pole on the Down side of the crossing. In stay anchors, one opposite the Down end of the platform requested a variation in his comparison, this proved to be straightforward, at Havenstreet and, in the afternoon, the other behind the hours of work to reduce appointment announced it taking only around 20 minutes to attach the platform ramp at Wootton. A few weeks later, on 17 March, from a 5-day week to 3 by Peter Vail, General Manager stay wire to the pole, secure it to the anchor and we installed the final anchor and stay wire, this being for days. Bob has been in complete the tensioning process. the pole adjacent to Bridge 12. the post of Engineering Restructure Committee is that we are delighted to for the entire The ’ train trundled on towards The final part of the Havenstreet - Wootton installation Manager for just over seven which agreed that we would announce the appointment array of railway Bridge 12, stopping where necessary to reattach process will be to pull a cable through an existing duct years and has overseen a seek to recruit a new full of Kenny Laird, who lives in projects and railway overhead wires to insulators where high winds which runs beneath the cess from Havenstreet signal box number of major changes time Engineering Manager, Cowes. engineering, had dislodged them. Steve Smart adopted a to the end of the platform and complete the connections at that have positively with Bob stepping into In Kenny we have an ranging from new binding method in an attempt to secure the each end. After testing, the line wire will be handed over to progressed our Railway. a new 3-days-per-week Engineering Manager who week-in, week-out wires more tightly to the insulators. the infrastructure team for commissioning. To accommodate Bob’s position of Engineering has spent his entire career renewal projects to Kenny Laird. John Faulkner At Woodhouse crossing, work to secure the Len Pullinger (left) and request the opportunity Manager’s Assistant. in railway projects and genuinely major complex assignment which was as Steve Smart using the stays at the two poles took little more than 30 minutes and was taken to review the The new vacancy was engineering across the railway programmes. Programme Director for the tensioning device at the we then continued to MP 6½. Here, the wire goes beneath engineering management advertised widely both in world, covering national Kenny’s experience covers extension of Dubai’s Red troublesome pole adjacent Guildford Farm crossing the surface for approximately 120 yards because a pair of structure as, for some the local and national press. rail, London Underground all railway engineering Line metro. Stuart Duddy 33kV lines pass overhead. Once again, the attachment and time, the need to increase The quality of applicants and a number of tram disciplines of buildings, We look forward to our resource to reflect our was particularly good and and metro systems. Over civil, mechanical, electrical, working with Kenny and growing business has been it was necessary to follow the last 24 years he has telecoms, train control I know you will join me in acknowledged. a carefully considered operated at a senior level systems and permanent welcoming Kenny to the Isle Appointed by the board, and robust recruitment in the international rail way. In April of 2017, Kenny of Wight Steam Railway. we have a Management process, the result of which industry with responsibility concluded his last full-time The Railway needs your unwanted books! We have opened our second-hand bookstall again and we appeal for any books which you can donate for resale. Last year we raised an astonishing £7,240! We require books on any subject as well as fiction. It would be much appreciated if you could deliver them to the office at Havenstreet during normal office hours. Thank you! Sorry, but please do not include magazines or videos.

Steve Smart (left) and Chris Brown securing the wires to The engineers' train pauses at Bridge 12 while a stay wire is attached to the top of the pole the newly installed insulators attached to the signal cabin at Since we started the bookstall in 2010 we have raised £37,607 adjacent to the bridge. The arboreal dormouse bridge can also be seen clearly. Stuart Duddy Wootton. Stuart Duddy

10 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2108 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2018 11 n

Another key outcome from the meeting was agreement three four-wheeled carriages on one-train days. e that, across the Company, we should encourage the On Friday 16 March, just two days before the start of the reporting of near misses and irregularities which, under 2018 operating season, the farm crossing at Havenstreet slightly different circumstances, could have resulted in was closed temporarily to pedestrians and vehicles, a serious incident. This will allow such incidents to be pending the completion of over-running works to install w investigated and any trends identified. However, crucial to new gates and a new concrete gate post on the Up side. the success of this initiative is that we adopt a ‘no blame’ It is hoped that the work will be completed so that events culture. It shouldn’t be about pointing fingers – it’s about planned for the field behind the station won’t be impacted. learning from mistakes to make the Railway safer for Sunday 18 March saw the curtain rise on the 2018 everyone. It’s also worth mentioning that such reporting is season but the day dawned with a fair covering of snow. not confined to days when passenger trains are operating I was unable to safely move the car off my sloping drive s – it applies equally to engineers’ train and motor trolley because of the deep snow and the un-gritted local roads. working on non-operating days. There was only one way to reach Havenstreet and that Another topic of discussion was the berthing of the bogie was to walk. Mind you, a four mile walk in the fresh deep passenger stock in Train Story Road 1 (the lean-to road) snow does tend to give one a good appetite! during the operating season, and whether we can increase Most staff managed to reach Havenstreet, the time our precious Edwardian carriages are stored despite hazardous driving conditions undercover. However, this will probably be conditional upon especially around Ventnor and the south- the installation of a servicing platform, a project that is west of the Island. Accumulation of snow already on the 5-year capital expense budget plan. in point switches at Havenstreet led to New season update days were held on 7 and 10 March, the decision to run BR Class 03 D2054 attended by a total of 74 members of staff – both paid firstly to Smallbrook Junction and then to and unpaid – and included both operating personnel and Wootton to ensure that points were cleared locomotive crew. Topics covered the recent revision to before passenger trains were operated. In the ORB, the new digital radios and the importance of consequence, the first train of the season, From the Traffic Office incident reporting. Locomotive Foreman Andrew Summers the 10.05 Down train to Wootton, was also delivered an informative presentation regarding the cancelled. Subsequent services before differences between our two Ivatt tank locomotives. the lunchtime interval ran with delays of Clearing tree branches A safety film has been made for the benefit of new between 30-40 minutes. Connections at overhanging the line with An operations update from entrants to the Operating Department. At approximately Smallbrook were irrelevant because Island the aid of a cherry-picker The officer assured me that the blaze had been fully Roger Millward eight minutes long it covers the main points of station Line services were suspended. The 13.03 Clive Miller, Operating Manager extinguished and that there was no chance of it reigniting safety and train dispatch. Up service from Havenstreet to Smallbrook – largely because they had dumped 400 gallons of water on As mentioned in this column in IRN 77, the new digital was cancelled, meaning that afternoon IT WAS A cold 8 January and I had just made a cup of tea it. There was very little damage to our infrastructure other radios were ordered and received, and the UHF digital departures ran to time. However, in view of when Liz Tagart called to tell me that there was a report than some scorching to the car park surface where the repeater station mast was erected at Upton Cross on 13 the prevailing conditions and the forecast, of a vehicle on fire in the car park at Wootton station. vehicle had come to rest and burst into flames. Happily, no March. The switch to digital radio usage is imminent. We and mindful of our duty of care to staff and Instantly, I sprang into action, and because Health & Safety one was hurt. must ensure that we reap the benefits of this investment, volunteers, it was felt prudent to terminate officer Jim Roberts happened to be in the office at the time Engineers’ trains ran almost daily for two weeks in mid- principal users being drivers and shunters during shunting services a little earlier than scheduled, we headed out towards my car. On arrival at Wootton we January, conveying a cherry-picker which had been hired operations and train guards and signalmen/duty managers and so the 15.57 Up service to Smallbrook were greeted by the sight of a burned out vehicle and a primarily to clear more tree boughs which overhang the on operating days. The old analogue radios will be and the corresponding 16.19 Down service large fire appliance. I spoke with the fire officer and asked line. Almost all of this work occurred along the Smallbrook cascaded for further use by the other departments. back to Havenstreet were also cancelled. I him what he thought had happened, hoping it wasn’t a case section, although the train did spend a couple of days in the The Station Maintenance Elderly Gentlemen team should like to place on record my thanks to of vandalism. However, it seemed that the driver of the Wootton section in connection with the trackside telephone (the ‘SMEG’s) were kept busy during the closed season, all those staff, whether rostered or not, who Ford Ranger had noticed smoke coming from beneath the line reinstatement project. continuing their fine work repainting the paling fences turned up on the day. We didn’t break any dashboard as he was driving along Station Road. Thinking The annual review of the Railway’s Operating Rule Book around Havenstreet. As mentioned in a previous edition, opening day records in terms of the number quickly, he pulled off the road and into our car park, and (ORB) was undertaken in mid-January. The proposals went each panel is numbered discretely meaning that several of passengers carried (160) but at least we Above and below: 198 Royal mindful of its cargo he quickly unhitched the trailer. This through the Railway’s Change Management process and Engineer braving the snow panels can be removed and renovated simultaneously defied the weather and ran a train service. V on 18 March. John Faulkner proved to be a wise decision because just 30 seconds later the implementation date coincided with the start of the in our heated workshop before being returned to their the truck went up in flames. 2018 operating season. respective bays. Temporary fencing prevents visitors from A useful and positive meeting between the Operating straying onto the line. Although steady progress was made The sad remains of the burnt- and Engineering Departments occurred in early-February, the dwindling number of volunteers willing to undertake out Ford Ranger at Wootton attended by the departmental managers, their linked station car park. Clive Miller this sort of work makes for slower progress than we would directors, the Health & Safety Officer, a duty manager and like. I therefore repeat my usual appeal for volunteers to one of my footplate inspectors. Chaired by the General join our merry band of SMEGs – and being elderly is not a Manager, a broad range of topics was discussed, one such pre-requisite. being the use of paid staff to undertake diesel driving It was disappointing to be advised just 10 days prior to and shunting when, with a little more planning, volunteer the start of the new season that use of our highest capacity staff could be sought to undertake the duties. This helps carriage, LBSCR Third 2416, was to be restricted owing to in respect of maintaining volunteer competencies and its wheelsets having almost reached the minimum wear also leaves paid staff to focus more on their core roles. threshold. That the wheels needed attention was known A new shunt planning process involving both Operating last summer when newly re-tyred wheelsets intended for and Engineering Departments should yield improvements 2416 were instead placed under LBSCR Brake Third 4168 in this respect. Along similar lines, we are improving (IRN 76, p22). It is not clear why eight months elapsed communication between duty managers and other before sending the wheelsets removed from 4168 to the departments by creating a generic duty manager email South Devon Railway to be machined, but commercial and address and online diary, and an expanded daily log will operation considerations were seemingly not uppermost. It improve communication between duty managers and the is hoped that the wheelsets will be returned during May. In Operating Manager. the meantime, we’ll be strengthening the bogie train with

12 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2108 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2018 13 Rail infrastructure update news Operations round-up from Rail Infrastructure Foreman Pete Corby

The arrival at Havenstreet of the final train on New Year’s Day gave a into place to be secured down. The straight road, leading to the Down two-and-a-half month window in which to undertake the winter works Loop, could be left largely intact, other than two new closure rails. In programme. contrast, with the new point lead being longer, the After the progress made curved road leading to the Up Loop required the last year, a cherry picker replacement of both rails and almost all the chairs was hired for the first repositioned and fixed down. Happily, the pointwork couple of weeks in January. was sufficiently complete through both loops for the This year’s version was a running of Calbourne’s first test train on 13 March. size up on the equipment With the Permanent Way side of the job almost hired in 2017 and once completed, attention moved to the S&T installation, loaded aboard SR 20T Well so as to get everything completed for the start B 61056 gave a much larger of public services on 18 March. The first day of reach. Most activity was operations was slightly hampered by the arrival of confined to the section of some more unseasonal snow requiring the clearing track through Rowlands of switch openings etc., but once the snow melted, Wood where both sides and after a small teething problem with a signal of the line were cleared wire tension, the new installation is working safely of overhanging branches, and efficiently. largely from neighbouring Keeping warm by burning the brash. John Faulkner For the first time in 198 Royal Engineer pulling out of Havenstreet bound for Smallbrook Junction on 18 March. Roger Millward trees. This created a huge recorded history the

quantity of material, which maintenance C The weather woes did not improve after the snow Although the infrastructure stood up well to the weather, was sorted before the couldn’t be carried out in disappeared. Rain arrived and rain it did, to the extent that the same could not be said for one of our carriages. lighter brash was disposed its traditional slot over the the next casualty on the events programme fell at the first Regrettably, NLR 4-wheeled Composite 6336 developed a of by a series of bonfires. March working weekend, a fence, with the Ashey Scurry succumbing to a waterlogged leaking roof and had to be withdrawn. As the operating day With the stretch through spell of cold weather and course. was drawing to a close we were running some 20 minutes Rowlands Wood completed, snow at the end We had one day of sunshine but the arrival of the Easter late, but I had a plan. The guard on the bogie set confirmed the remaining hire period of the preceding weekend coincided with the return of heavy rain. Indeed, by radio that he only had four passengers on board and that was spent at either Ashey week covering on Good Friday we wouldn’t have been surprised to have all were going to Wootton. I quickly checked the café, shop station or Deacons Lane the track by the seen Noah's Ark sailing down the hill from Wootton! Rainy and Train Story, all of which were devoid of customers. In or Ashey Road bridges. weekend. It also days can often be quite busy but the prolonged torrential an effort to recover a few minutes I took the decision to run Branches overhanging the made transport downpours clearly deterred many would-be visitors, with the last Down service through to Wootton non-stop. By the track proved to be the main difficult for a lot barely 300 people braving the atrocious weather. Being time the service arrived back at Havenstreet at 17.05 we activity here too, although of gang members, almost at saturation point the ground was seemingly were just 15 minutes adrift … and it was still raining! at Deacons a couple of although unable to absorb further rainwater, resulting in minor Fortunately, the weather improved for the remainder of trees adjacent to the lane fortunately From the From flooding at several locations along the line but nothing to the weekend, which saw 703 passenger journeys recorded were carefully dismantled conditions on the stop our two-train service. At Smallbrook Junction, the on Easter Eve, 710 on Easter Day and 599 on Easter to reduce the risk of them roads had eased water level in Monktonmead Brook was reported to be just Monday. damaging the bridge or the Rail cutting. John Faulkner by the Sunday. two inches from the crown of the arch which carries the I am looking forward to what will hopefully be another approach embankment. Nevertheless, numbers brook beneath the Island Line track. With no sign of the busy season with plenty of people about and, who knows, With the plant returned were insufficient to allow weather improving, I stood down one of the Havenstreet the sun may even make an appearance! to the hirer, preparations a concerted effort at the Traffic Office Traffic booking clerks and closed Smallbrook booking office. began for the renewal of , but did enable There had been only six ticket transactions at the latter Traffic figures the Havenstreet Up Loop the final closure rail to be and so the Guard Assist issued tickets for the remainder The monthly traffic figures for Quarter 1 are shown below. (No 6) points. As much measured, cut and installed of the day. as was necessary of the on No 6 points. Naturally, S&T equipment was the fishplate work has only temporarily recovered and been postponed, but will Monthly traffic figures for Quarter 1 new materials moved into now have to be done in a place before February’s more piecemeal manner Q1 / 2018 Q1 / 2017 working weekend. The before the arrival of Number of Passenger Average number Number of Passenger Average number Passenger large gang in attendance on summer. operating journeys of passenger operating journeys of passenger journeys the Saturday removed the The Friday Gang days journeys per days journeys per percentage existing switches, crossing continues its sterling efforts operating day operating day variance and selected timbers, in keeping control of the January 1 751 751 1 632 632 + 18.8% before rebuilding work lineside vegetation. With February 0 0 n/a 0 0 n/a n/a commenced with the new the arrival of spring some crossing on Sunday. cutting sessions have taken March 6 2,541 424 4 1,688 422 + 50.5% Over the following days place at Ashey Grounds, Total 7 3,292 470 5 2,320 464 + 41.9% the timbers at the switch the days before that being end were re-spaced and devoted to material disposal Whilst the passenger journey figures for March may appear strong, it should be remembered that the movement of Easter and of the Easter school holidays distorts comparisons at repositioned before the from the tree lopping work this time of the year. The Easter weekend in 2017 fell cleanly in April, whereas in 2018 the start of the holiday weekend fell in March resulting in more operating days. new switches were moved Renewing the Havenstreet Up Loop (No 6) points. John Faulkner in January.

14 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2108 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2018 15 Workshop Files

Locomotives Compiled by Andrew Summers, Locomotive Foreman, and Peter Taylor Ivatt 2MT Class 41313 news At the end of last year 41313 was winterised and put The completion of a number of long-term projects is beginning to bear W8 Freshwater passed her ‘in steam’ inspection on 6 March and is into dry storage in Train Story awaiting the start of a fruit, with the return of 41313 and the completion of work on W24. We available for service this year. While in steam the opportunity was taken to new working life on the IW Steam Railway. The first start the 2018 operating season with five steam locomotives available test the manufactured injector parts, all of which worked perfectly. day in revenue earning service was 4 April. for service and as such, we are the envy of many heritage railways which struggle from day to day to provide suitable motive power. A1/x Class W11 Well done to our team of volunteer and paid staff who have put in Following completion of annual exams, W11 also successfully passed her the hours and hard work to get us to this position. steam test on 6 March and is available for service for the coming season. A replacement little end bush for STEAM LOCOMOTIVES E1 Class W2 Yarmouth 41298 during With Train Story closed to the public for a two-and-a-half months the manufacture. O2 Class W24 Calbourne opportunity was taken to undertake preventative maintenance and Andrew Summers Early-January saw W24 with both driving wheelsets in place being conservation work by a small working shunted into the workshop to enable work to continue in the dry. By group who braved the winter elements, mid-January work had commenced on slide bar and piston crosshead undertaking this outside in the Down adjustment; unfortunately a crack was discovered in the right-hand Sidings. Ivatt 2MT Class 46447 side crosshead cover; luckily a spare was available in our limited The main areas tackled concentrated The Ivatt tender locomotive remains on loan to the selection of O2 parts. on the cylinder block and wheelsets; Work underway on E1 class W2 Yarmouth. John faulkner East Somerset Railway where it is in regular use. The replacement required overhauling before fitting. This involved this involved jacking up the locomotive white-metalling and machining to suit. New side slipper blocks to enable the springs to be removed Hunslet ‘Austerity’ Juno Juno remains on display at under the agreement with the National DIESEL LOCOMOTIVES required manufacturing and shims fitting. The final task involved and the axleboxes and horns examined. Railway Museum. checking and adjusting the valve timing following the overhaul of the On 5 February the pistons were finally eccentrics and valve gear. removed from the bores after many BR Class 03 D2059 'Edward' Cylinder and piston in the E1, as A test steaming on 6 March identified a problem with the regulator hours struggling to break the rust’s Ivatt 2MT Class 41298 During January, D2059 was deployed daily for two weeks on engineers’ found. Andrew Summers 41298 is currently in the works for valve and piston work and for boiler stuffing box that was dealt with the following day, once the boiler had hold on the crossheads. trains without incident. Exam work and routine maintenance was examinations to be completed. cooled sufficiently. A full steam test was completed in the presence of During the course of investigations the original source of some of the completed by mid-February, ensuring availability for the start of the The new rings have been fitted to their respective pistons and valves, our independent boiler inspector on 12 March, followed by running-in components has been identified; the main frames being stamped ‘Monk operating season. a precursor to re-assembling the valve gear and coupling rods. A trials with empty coaching stock the following day. Calbourne’s first Bridge’ and the wheelsets were manufactured at Canal Street Iron Works, replacement little end bush has been manufactured for the right-hand side day back in service was Good Friday, 30 March. Derby. BR Class 05 D2554 ‘Nuclear Fred’ that should cure a pronounced knock that was developing on the motion In time for the re-opening of Train Story at the start of the operating ‘Nuclear Fred’ is on static display in Train Story. work. season, the E1 was returned to take up her role as an exhibit. During boiler examinations a failed superheater element has been Andrew Barclay 0-4-0DM 235 Hawthorn, Leslie 0-4-0ST W37 Invincible found and replaced; a build-up of scale on the top feed watershed tray Exams and routine maintenance work was completed by early-March, had also been detected Progress has been made on assessing the condition of the boiler, as has meaning that the locomotive remains available for shunting within and dealt with. The annual continued stripping of parts for further inspection and replacement; this Havenstreet station limits. strip and inspection of the includes removal of internal copper pipes and boiler studs. safety valves identified WORKSHOP NEWS Andrew Barclay 0-6-0T W38 Ajax some hairline cracks on one valve. Fortunately we Finally, as well as the maintenance of our locomotives, a range of other Ajax remains on static display in Train Story. had a spare in store; now jobs has progressed. Uneven surfaces in the machine shop involved Hunslet ‘Austerity’ 192 Waggoner fully overhauled and fitted digging out and re-concreting, wooden cabinets have been made to with a new spring it has improve the limited storage capacity and both our Manitou machines Work on the ten-year boiler overhaul has not yet started but there is light been installed alongside the have undergone maintenance to make them as reliable as possible for at the end of the proverbial tunnel. With the return to service of W24 and Peter Hull descaling the top feed manifold second serviceable valve. from 41298. the coming season. The cracked right-hand crosshead cover from W24 Calbourne. good progress on Ivatt 2MT Class 41298, work can start in earnest in the John Faulkner The replacement component was stamped ‘205’, aka W21 . Andrew Summers near future. Meanwhile, minor work has continued with the cleaning and inspection A1/x Class W8 Freshwater of removed components, the painting of externally stored parts and Work continues to progress on replacing the front steam heat descaling the inside of the bunker for inspection. pipework that has been absent for some time. Following a number of false leads, a Hunslet ‘Austerity’ 198 Royal Engineer pattern for the body of an Ashford-type Following completion of service on 1 January, Royal Engineer’s boiler injector as fitted to our 'Terriers' was was washed out and the locomotive was stored for a couple of months sourced from the Mid Hants Railway and is within Train Story, space being available because the E1 had temporarily presently at a foundry to enable new ones vacated the premises. During a subsequent exam, a broken spring on the to be cast. The internal workings are more leading axle was replaced and the fireman’s side boiler clack / steam valve problematic as no information has come assembly for the injector was refurbished; new parts consisting of clack to light and therefore a process of ‘reverse seat and valve, steam valve spindle and packing throughout. engineering’ has been used to come up Boiler testing commenced with a steaming on 5 March to set the safety with the design of suitable new cones. The valves followed by a full steam test the next day for the independent boiler first of these has been manufactured from inspector. solid bar and because of the complex shape 198 commenced the 2018 operating season on a cold and snowy 18 The new bronze injector March; because of their design Austerities are the least vulnerable of our has involved some elaborate setting up and cone for W8 Freshwater Andy Dudson, Alex Hull and Neil Rees refitting the right piston and rod in Snow coats the running plate of 198 Royal Engineer early on 18 March, machining in our own machine shop. John Faulkner locomotives to frost damage. 41298 on 22 March. John Faulkner the first day of the operating season. Andrew Summers

16 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2108 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2018 17 Snow comes to the IWSR

Roger Millward Steve Knapp Stuart Duddy

Stuart Duddy aller y IRN G 41313's second day in service. John Faulkner W24 Calbourne on light engine and loaded trial runs on 12 and 13 March. John Faulkner

The Island’s largest indoor Reported by Iain Whitlam, model railway open to the public An update on liveries Liveries Subcommittee I have previously recounted the tale of ‘It’s the Wrong Shade of Green’ • W24 Calbourne will move circa 2020 from early-BR lined black to (IRN 59, p 20-21) and provided a 2015 review of ‘Rolling Stock liveries’ (IRN SR malachite green, possibly patched ‘British Railways’, see below. We 69 p 26). The Liveries Committee has met to consider those items of stock recognise there is conflict between those who want as much as possible in coming up for major overhaul or recently added to our fleet. It is proposed BR – the era they remember – and those for whom BR is an anathema. We that: opted for a change – and trying to keep a balance (noting the Ivatts present • W8 Freshwater will move circa 2019 from post-1936 SR Maunsell two locomotives in BR lined black). Malachite green lettered ‘British green to late-SR malachite green (we considered presenting her as W13 Railways’ is a livery we have not yet presented in preservation. as W8 did not carry this livery but this idea has been declined). Then there are various miscellaneous additions to consider: • The IWR Oldbury vehicles to go into varnished teak – the only appropriate livery. • The Pollard electric tram to continue in Company livery. • Ryde Pier Tram Car 2 to be presented in 1927 mid-bronze green, lined – noting that the later SR green, BR red and BR green were all unlined and very austere! + Model Shop – stocking: Peco, Bachmann, Noch, Dapol Woodland Scenics, Javis, Metcalfe and a host of other makes As regards infrastructure vehicles – i.e. those of modelling accessories + Easy Free parking used for maintenance purposes but with no Island + Continental layout with British section history: + Working Model Fairground and Circus • The additional Wickham trolley B31W will carry + Accessible toilets and cafes on site + Parties welcome BR maroon – there is no Island precedence so we + The Railway and Shop are open from 10.45am to 4.00pm shall follow contemporary mainland practice. Last admissions 3.30pm + Open 7 days a week • The second Permaquip trolley might be For more information & 01983 761553 / 298814 presented in British Rail (and subsequent) Engineers’ yellow but is more likely to be in Fort Victoria, near Yarmouth, Isle of Wight PO41 0RR Network SouthEast livery. www.fortvictoriamodelrailway.co.uk Also follow us on Facebook O2 Class W27 . The repainted patch can just be made out, date unknown. Roger Silsbury collection

18 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2108 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2018 19 Workshop Files Carriage & Wagon Compiled by Dave Smart, C&W Foreman LCDR 4-wheeled Third 2515 news 2515 is due a re-varnish and a roof clean and paint owing to the extra Just when we thought winter was disappearing and spring around Train Story has temporarily been rearranged so that the bogie set plus mileage accrued when being used to strengthen the bogie set in 2017. the corner the snow arrived – twice. We had just over two-and-a-half three four-wheeled carriages are stored in the lean-to road. During the The carriage will come into the workshop when time and operational months without passenger trains (January, February and half of early season the bogie carriages are used generally only on Thursdays demands permit. The carriage underwent ‘A’, ‘C’ and steam heat exams March) during which we could crack on with the winter maintenance and Sundays and so they’re put away to protect them from the worst and entered service on 18 March, strengthening the bogie set. programme before services recommenced on 18 March. During this of the weather. Throughout March and April, they were being put away window, we had to complete all the ‘A’ exams (annual) and ‘C’ exams during the morning after use and shunted back out on the morning of Large battery box nearly ready for fitting. Dave Smart LCDR 4-wheeled Brake Third 4112 & (door), some steam heat exams, some re-varnishing work, some their next use. Every element causes problems for our carriages. Rain being repainted up to undercoat LCDR 4-wheeled Composite 6369 roof re-painting and repairs, and all that before having to look at eventually seeps in, rotting wood and corroding metal; wind drives and refitted. The compartments are Both carriages of the Ventnor West push-pull set 484 underwent their the goods wagons required in early-April. The workshop is still as moisture deeper into the carriages; the sun dries the carriages out and also being stripped and repaired as ‘A’, ‘C’ and steam heat exams before entering service on Good Friday, 30 full as ever and we are having to do some work in Train Story Road also fades paint and upholstery; cold temperatures freeze the water required, repainted and then having the March, the first two-train service day of the season. 1 (the lean-to road) and Roads 2, 3 and 4. Unfortunately, our fleet of that has penetrated the carriages, blowing and splitting the paint and scumbling applied. The steel cladding vehicles has outgrown our current workshop and storage building cracking open the wood. Storing them back in their box (in Train Story) as sheets are now receiving attention, NLR 4-wheeled Composite 6336 and this problem is only going to increase. Where can we put them much as possible helps to project our valuable historic carriages from the having the paint stripped off to assess 6336 underwent its ‘A’, ‘C’ and steam heat exams before also entering all? Can we have a bigger workshop, some more storage buildings weather, thus helping to reduce the amount of workshop attention that their condition. If they can be reused service on Good Friday. Unfortunately, however, the carriage was and a bigger base board on which to put it all please? they require. they will be cleaned, treated and painted withdrawn at the end of service on its first day with rainwater leaking ready for refitting once the body is back into compartments ‘A’ and ‘B’. The carriage was shunted into the C&W on the underframe. workshop a week earlier than planned and had its roof cleaned, some the handbrake relay mounting has been reshaped owing to it being BOGIE CARRIAGES • The plan is to have the underframe minor repairs and painted. The body is being re-varnished and having bent. The handbrake relay has been fitted and again we have had to completed and line tested before some minor body repairs. LBSCR Third 2403 reshape it to make it sit and work correctly. craning the body back onto its This carriage underwent its ‘A’ and ‘C’ exams and entered service on The two brake levers and four ‘V’ hangers have been fitted using newly underframe. The panels will then be LBSCR 4-wheeled Brake Third 4115 made packing blocks. The small battery box was repaired and fitted with a 18 March. refitted to the body and all the steam Owing to the pressure of other projects and poor weather, 4115 saw little new packing block. The large battery box was rebuilt using new timber but Train pipe clamped to step heat and train pipe connections fitted progress on the braking system and pipework during the period under retaining the original metalwork. Both battery boxes have now been fitted. board brackets. Dave Smart LBSCR Third 2416 and tested. The roof review, although work continued on the interior. The carriage remains in All the step board brackets have been repaired and reshaped as required Our highest capacity carriage had its ‘A’ exam but, unfortunately, the will then be stripped of the tent outside the C&W workshop. and are now bolted into position and awaiting riveting. tyres, which we knew were getting low and had been monitoring, had its canvas and cleaned almost reached their wear limits and action is required. The carriage The brake cylinder has been stripped down, cleaned and inspected. This ready for a new canvas LCDR 4-wheeled Composite 6378 was found to be in very good condition and when tested worked extremely has been restricted to limited mileage while the wheelsets that to be fitted. Then it’ll be 6378 had both ends stripped and repainted, a re-varnish and a roof clean well. The slack adjuster has been cleaned and checked to ensure that it’s came out from beneath LBSCR Brake Third 4168 in July last year are time for roof painting – and paint. It had its ‘A’, ‘C’ and steam heat exams and entered service on working correctly. A 12-inch triple valve has been tested (using the triple machined. These were transported to the contractor, the South Devon and lots of it – between 18 March (together with 2515). Railway, in mid-March. It was intended that this job would have been valve test bench) and had its joints replaced before being painted and five and seven coats. You fitted. New train and main steam heat pipes are currently being made and done during the winter season. However, back in the summer of last think it’s going quite well There are many preparations to be undertaken before the start of fitted by Callum and John. The air reservoir has been inspected, cleaned year, when a problem was identified with 4168, the wheelsets intended until you turn around the season - not just the exams. We have to make sure the interiors and painted ready for fitting once the step board riveting is complete. The for 2416 were hastily redirected to our sole bogie brake carriage and see just how much are clean and ready and one of these preparations is to have all dynamo bracket has been finished and is in position ready for riveting. All Top and bottom side bearers after machining. (IRN 76, p22). It is hoped that the wheelsets will return in late-April Dave Smart there is still left to do! the antimacassars washed and ironed, a job done by the Operating four buffer guides have been fitted together with all four buffer housings, and we can swap them over with those currently under 2416. This Manager’s enforcer – thank you, Linda. will be a very similar operation to that undertaken on 4168 in July using new rubbers because the old ones fell apart! The London end lower LBSCR Brake Third 4168 last year. While doing the wheelset swap we will also be giving the centre casting has been swapped back over to its original one. Also at the Our only serviceable bogie brake carriage came into the workshop in WAGONS – HISTORIC FLEET axleboxes some attention by fitting new box liners. It had its ‘C’ exam London end, both top and bottom side bearers have been machined back January. Both ends were stripped and repainted and various panels We have reached the time of year when the operational fleet of 10 historic and entered service on Good Friday, 30 March, the first of our two- to square, flat surfaces and new wooden packers have been made. The repaired. After being re-varnished and having its roof cleaned and wagons requires ‘A’ exams. Being housed in the luxury of Train Story and train operating days. Given its restricted use condition, the carriage bottom side bearers will be shimmed to give the required clearance once repainted, the carriage underwent its ‘A’ and ‘C’ exams and entered service away from the ravages of the winter weather, and being used on only is being used only on two-train days. On one-train days it is being the bogie goes back in. Then we have it all to do again for the country end on the opening day of the season, Sunday 18 March. around 7-8 days during the season, they didn’t need too much attention. shunted away and the bogie set strengthened with three four-wheeled castings. The country end side bearers will be done when the bogie comes 27766, 27834, 28345, 46923, 55724, 56046 and 60579 all underwent ‘A’ carriages, 2343, 2515 and 6378. out. However, in summary, and as proof of good progress, the pallets LBSCR Composite 6349 exams and the first three of these entered service on 8 April, the first of of underframe parts for 4149 are slowing disappearing, with the added This carriage had its ‘A’ and ‘C’ exams and also entered service on 18 benefit of freeing up some much-needed floor space in the workshop. our Island Heritage Steam Days. LBSCR 10T Open Goods 27730 failed its SECR Brake Third 4149 March. ‘A’ exam owing to underframe timber defects and corrosion on the ‘W’ Work has continued on the underframe and has progressed very SECR Composite 6375 irons and metalwork. It will remain red carded with a ‘Not to Go’ label well but, as always, some unexpected additional work has been and stored in Train story until we have the time and workshop space to identified. For example: The work on this carriage is suspended until SECR Brake Third 4149 has complete the work required. We still have to undertake exams for 27936 returned to traffic. • A section of one of the centre longitudinal members was showing Small battery box, triple valve and train pipe fitted. and 62888, but when completed we can vary the consist of the goods signs of corrosion and so was prepared, welded, ground and set. SR 15T Goods Brake Van 55724 is now receiving attention to its returned back to its original thickness. FOUR-WHEELED CARRIAGES underframe and leaf springs. • the two London end drawbar cradle guide bearers also required similar treatment and returned to their original thickness. LBSCR 4-wheeled Third 2343 WAGONS AND SERVICE VEHICLES – • One of the drawbar cradle guide bearers was removed owing to a INFRASTRUCTURE FLEET build-up of scale between it and the centre longitudinal. This has Both ends of 2343 were stripped and repainted and it was re-varnished. It been descaled and painted and is now ready for riveting back on. also had its roof cleaned and painted. The carriage underwent ‘A’, ‘C’ and Three engineers’ wagons, together with LNER 25T Lowmac E263276, • We have also found corrosion and years of dirt (which could be Small battery box, Triple valve and train pipe fitted. Dave Smart steam heat exams before entering service on the second day of the 2018 require their ‘A’ exams during the early part of the year. A couple of operating season, Thursday 22 March. Unfortunately, as was the case in these are being used currently to store parts from W37 Invincible and BR or even Southern Railway dirt) in the frame above the centre Turning to the body (still housed in Train Story on the accommodation 2017, it is being used to strengthen the bogie set during the opening weeks 192 Waggoner because our locomotive department colleagues also lack casting on both ends of the underframe. The London end was underframe), the doors are being removed and brought into the workshop of the season again, owing to the limited availability of LBSCR Third 2416. sufficient storage and workshop space. The remainder of the engineers’ cleaned out and painted and the country end will undergo the same where they are being stripped of paint and repaired as required before treatment once the bogie is removed. wagons are due for exam between September and November. V

20 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2108 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2018 21 Workshop Files Carriage & Wagon Continued The Mysteries of the Winter Wonderland news Derek Bishop reveals some strange occurrences that took place over the Christmas period. C S210 bogie B van has received some more BR blue paint but owing to WHAT ELSE HAS BEEN GOING ON? I knew that because I was looking at the red tail light which was flashing adverse weather little progress has been made. As some of you may be aware, I have an interest in the unusual, Dieter has been busy dismantling the large quantity of seat bases unexplained things that occur around our Railway and I have been involved at me. I just managed to retrieve it but the situation that had just occurred acquired last year from London Underground 1967/72 stock. The with the Myths Investigation group which also participates in our popular would be impossible to recreate even if you were over 6ft tall. Quite simply, spring bases from these will be modified and used in future carriage Fright Night event by dressing up in Train Story. I was unable to reconcile what I had witnessed – it couldn’t have happened! restoration projects. On Saturday 16 December, all within the space of about 15 minutes, When I next saw Jeff I questioned if he had left the brake van off the train We have been donated a Startrite table saw by Les Morgan. The saw we had three train crashes – in miniature I might add – but which cannot but he said no and, if he had, he would have put it in the . is much better than our current table saw and it also has extraction all be explained. In the first incident, I was informed by a member of the Having sorted those two out I then noticed that both our ‘Emett’ type which we can connect into our existing system. Thank you, Les, for the public that our Gauge 1 train pulled by a Lynton & Barnstaple Railway trains had stopped running and had to fight my way back towards saw and also the other tools you have donated to us. lookalike Baldwin locomotive had derailed in the tunnel under the them. I found that both trains had collided because of one engine The task of sorting out our stock of spares continues and we are mountain. Apparently the second two coaches came adrift and losing a carriage and rear-ending it as it came round and searching and/or grouping parts together and listing them. During the engine and first carriage came round again and rear- knocked into the path of the other train, the coach of which fell January Gary Walker set up the triple valve test bench, since when ended them and derailed. Easily explained when inquisitive down to a lower level. Again, all out of reach of any child or Gary and Dan Callcut have cleaned, inspected, greased and then tested little fingers stretch out to touch the train and more often adult unless they were well over 7ft tall. some of our spare 12 inch triple valves – we actually now have some than not them. But that’s not easy to do with the train Again, this had never happened before but I will in the tunnel. This occurred during a busy period and I had reserve judgement on this one, but then came Sunday 17 S210 bogie B van – More blue on this side. Dave Smart working spares (but, shhh – don’t tell anyone)! As time permits, we will continue to service and test some of our 10-inch triple valves so we to squeeze around the public to reach the train but it was December. PMV 1556 has received a quick repaint and had transfers added. have some spares of this type as well. This will add to the long term soon resolved. This had been a fairly normal day which was drawing Workshop space was available for a brief period because the next plan of having ready-to-use replacements available off-the-shelf. For 2017 Jeff Layfield brought in an O gauge A1/x Terrier slowly to a close when the son of Paul Martin (from Haven vehicle in the queue to be re-varnished and have its roof cleaned and The design for the internal building at the north corner of the C&W and wagons as being something different to run. Because of Falconry), who was with a party of people waiting to see repainted was required for traffic. workshop will be prepared soon. It is hoped that this construction be the large footfall in the building the engine had a tendency to Santa, told me that a cable car had come off. “Pardon?”, I PMV 1964 has now had its floor removed and we are awaiting a progressed and completed before the end of 2018. derail as the track wasn’t entirely secured but, by and large, said “That doesn’t happen”, at least not since I have been decision regarding the future of the vehicle. The principal options are it wasn’t too bad. What used to happen was that the front axle running them in the Winter Wonderland. It had apparently either that the body is removed and becomes a store to be located in would come off and lodge in a small tunnel. The second mishap dropped off, hit the mountain and landed on the Emett track the barn field (or elsewhere) and the underframe is needle-gunned and involved this stock. The locomotive and first wagon were stopped below, but luckily no trains were running at that time. It was also painted ready to accommodate a grounded body or, alternatively, we in the tunnel, but where were the other two wagons? Number two empty. Where were the occupants? I found a ski, next to the Gauge install a new floor and the vehicle becomes a mobile store for one of the wagon was found upright but at right angles to the track. The wagons had 1 track, and then the owner who was on the mountain, coincidentally on departments. proper chain couplings and they are fiddly to detach and reattach so it the ski run. The other skier was a whole 6ft away. The point is this: the is not as if anyone could have easily lifted them off (unless they were 6ft skiers are very difficult to get into the cars. They could not simply fall out tall ie tall enough to reach and, even then, it still wouldn’t be easy). But and if anybody had attempted to remove the car from the cable while it was then, where was the brake van? For one sickening moment I thought that moving, the whole lot would have come down. perhaps somebody had lifted it, at which point Mary Layfield appeared I should know – I have done it! horror-struck. Then I spotted it. It was at the far side of where I was There were a lot of strange occurrences over that third weekend in standing and was at 180 degrees to the way in which it had been travelling. December 2017, most without suitable explanations. Spooky!

Selected by Museum artefacts illustrated Mike Elsom

Spring bases of various sizes Startrite saw donated by Les removed from complete seat Morgan, awaiting positioning, cushions. Dave Smart wiring up and PAT testing. Dave Smart All photographs by Mike Elsom Mike All photographs by John Paton with the indicator Showing the inside of the indicator The indicator in Train Story The indicator displaying the numeral '3' The item described is a route indicator, previously situated on Ryde signal. Latterly, a single upper-quadrant signal supplemented by the route Pier. It was constructed by the W R Sykes Signal Company indicator was provided. Photographs showing the Ryde Pier Head Up Ltd of London in the early 1930s and has been restored recently by John Home signals may be seen in Steaming through the Isle of Wight by Peter Paton and Tim Pitt, two members of the Museum staff. In the image above Hay (Middleton Press 1988). Steve Rowntree rubbing down the country end of PMV 1556. Dave Smart John considers the next move as he views the inside of the item showing The two photographs above show the grey refurbished route indicator the internal electrics, now restored and passed PAT (portable appliance on LSWR Match Wagon 429SM in Train Story and the indicator displaying testing). the numeral ‘3’, denoting that the train was signalled into Platform 3. Ryde Pier Head station originally had three platform roads but a fourth Temporarily, the indicator is located adjacent to the donated Portsmouth was added by the Southern Railway and opened for traffic on 1 July Harbour clock which has been described in one of my previous articles 1933. Footplate crews needed to know into which platform their train (IRN 73, Winter 2017 p 27) but it is intended that both items will shortly be was signalled. Originally, this was accomplished by a three-doll bracket mounted onto the walls of Train Story.

22 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2108 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2018 23 Once upon a time to be from one of the Isle of Wight (Newport Junction) A £120,000 station refurbishment for Ryde Esplanade Railway carriages. There were three of these bought wasf announced in April. British Rail had allocated £70,000 new in 1875, probably from the Bristol Carriage & Wagon towards the scheme and expected a local authority Company. These carriages were reconstructed as vans by contribution towards the difference, although County the Isle of Wight Central, and withdrawn in the mid-1920s. Council officers had already indicated that no funds This door had been passed on to the Museum Department. were available. The proposals included new toilets and For the previous two to three years the vehicular improved catering facilities as well as provision of a tourist gatesf at Woodhouse crossing, midway between information centre. Havenstreet and Wootton, had been slowly falling apart, A former Permanent Way Department wooden together with the fences on each side of the gates. When it buildingf adjacent to the car park entrance at Ryde St was decided to undertake major track renewal work in the John’s Road station (north of the site of the locomotive area, gate replacement was included in the programme. shed) had been leased to Avis Car Hire and opened as The local farmer asked if the new gates could be 12ft wide its first Isle of Wight branch. Town Council was instead of the previous 10ft. Kim Chalkley duly made these set to receive a grant from the IW Buildings Preservation in the workshop and at the same time he refurbished the Trust towards the conversion of Brading station into smaller wicket gates, used by hikers and horses. New a community and heritage centre, while work had gateposts had been cut during the 1979 Island Steam Show commenced on the renovation of the former station flat on the old saw bench. The return fences (which angle in at Sandown for Sandown Town Council. Conversion work from the boundary fences to the gates) were replaced by on the premises, subject of a leasing agreement with BR, new wooden posts and rails. started in February to create a heritage centre, council At Havenstreet a start was made on the new siding office and meeting place. Much of the work was being trackf formation. The embankment widening for the undertaken through a Manpower Services Commission had been built up over the last two summers scheme, with the total cost estimated at £10,500 for using any old spoil from around the station area and a conversion and £4,400 for fittings and furniture. The latest thick layer of chalk was added to give a firm base on which scheme for the derelict railway land on the Sandown goods to lay track. A section of the Down Loop running line just yard site involved a planning application for 36 flats in four Once upon a time beyond the Wootton end of the platform was replaced by 3-storey blocks. the new turnout. Timbers and rails were duly put in and Funds were raised by donations from the connected to the running line, in time for the new season. Businessf Association, Shanklin Hotel & Guest House The new turnout from Havenstreet Down Loop to The headshunt was planned to be some 300 ft long. Association and by an individual collection from hoteliers to the Headshunt taking shape A look back at 30 years of the Wight Report As briefly reported in Wight Report 79, both landscape the abandoned Up platform at Shanklin. British Sandown signal box, for a 13 March 1988. Havenstreetf and Wootton stations had been entered Rail excavated the hard surface of the platform and filled few years standing starkly Roger Macdonald compiled by John Hulse for the Best Restored Station Competition and Wootton it with top soil from unused allotments close by. Through without the erstwhile station received a Special Commendation as an incomplete the Tourist Development Action Programme, 6,500 bulbs of canopy, was itself due for removal at the end of Wight Report 80 | Summer 1988 | Editor Iain Whitlam entry. Havenstreet, having won the Premier Award in various sorts were planted along with nine flowering trees summer 1988, in connection 1986, was only eligible for the Champion’s Award but was and 180 ornamental flowering shrubs. V with resignalling and The covers of Wight Report 80 featured pictures of the been repaired by electric arc welding by boiler making singling between Sandown unsuccessful. and Brading. ‘fGrapes’ Ryde Pier tram car. contractor Roger Pridham of Cornwall. Further tests and Iain Whitlam Good weather at Easter brought out many locals examination were required on the repair before a hydraulic andf the Railway put on a display of stationary engines, test of the boiler could be undertaken. the ‘crank up’ arranged by the Vectis Stationary Engine Delay in obtaining axlebox oil pads, supplied by the Preservation Society. The season also started with many Armstrongf Oiler Company, had prevented the lowering of new schools visiting us along with some old friends. O2 Class W24 Calbourne onto her axles. Hawthorn, Leslie The body of parcels van PMV 1533 was well on its way to 0-4-0ST W37 Invincible was lifted off her leading axle to refurbishment into a lecture coach. free an axlebox which had become seized in the horn block. Thanks to the efforts of Des Hawkins and Nick Slight spreading of the axlebox had caused this unusual Boycott,f a chemical damp proof course had been installed occurrence and which had baffled the motive power team at the base of the walls of the gas house building, the for a while, so often the case with Invincible! interior wall surfaces of the museum At long last, much to everybody’s relief, the hole in the gallery redecorated and a new carpet locomotivef workshop roof was repaired: no more puddles laid throughout, producing an immediate or marked paintwork. SECR Brake Third 4149 had received noticeable improvement in the environment. three undercoats and one topcoat, with one more topcoat to In addition, the stone chimney breast at go. Each coat required the whole 58 feet to be rubbed down the south end of the gallery had been meticulously by hand, each side taking one whole day. Once demolished, releasing extra floor space for it had been brushed and wiped down, it took a further nine the display of exhibits including the model hours on each side to apply a gloss coat. railway. Away from public gaze in the upper Work on LCDR Brake Third 4112 was progressing part of the building, Des Hawkins created a well,f with all body framework completed apart from roof secure lockable storage area for artefacts. hoops. The driving end had been re-sheeted and one side Part of the area was designed to provide completely panelled and moulded. Work was underway on a stable environment to store the archive, the corridor end and the remaining side. The interior of the library and reference collections, which brake end had been re-planked where necessary, filled and were duly moved (all 46 boxes of them!) primed. over to the Island from their temporary Two more vehicle bodies arrived at Havenstreet, one store in Portsmouth just before Easter. beingf an 8-ton Isle of Wight Central van, No 87, and in quite The crack in the dome saddle plate good condition whilst the other body, half of an LCDR Bogie off A1/x Class No 11 which had caused Third, was obtained for parts. A single carriage door had considerable alarm and delay, had finally also been donated; it was of an unusual type and appeared

24 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2108 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2018 25 V At the same time the Hotel Association leased the The Medina Amenities Committee proposed to unusedf left luggage office and equipped it as an office introducef a ‘Dotto’ train at a cost of £42,000 to operate dealing with British Rail Inclusive Tours operations. between Ryde Pavilion and Appley Park. The 3-carriage An outbreak of vandalism at Ryde St John’s Road 62-foot road train, powered by a 1600cc Volkswagen engine, duringf the night of 14 and 15 February caused severe would carry 54 adults or 80 children. This superseded the damage to seats and fittings on nine vehicles berthed original intention to operate a miniature railway in Appley in the sidings. Four of these vehicles had been recently Park. refurbished in Ryde Works. The damage resulted in a MV Southsea celebrated her 40th birthday on 11 March rolling stock shortage later that week and on 17 and 18 andf was dressed overall for the day and a special celebration February only two trains per hour could be run on the cake provided. (As the first vessels to enter the shipping fleet Shanklin line, with the third having to be cancelled. after nationalisation, Southsea and Brading were launched The last UCC car, No 20, finally came to the end of within half an hour of each other at William Denny’s thef road in mid April when it was taken out of service Dumbarton yard on 11 March, 1948, entering service in along with car 15. Despite the shabby external appearance November of that year.) Brading had been sold but remained Trackside flora and fauna in Spring of car 20, it had won several temporary reprieves moored in the upper reaches of Portsmouth Harbour. and soldiered on through the winter with remarkable The catamaran saga continued when Our Lady Patricia Described and photographed by Ian Pratt reliability. By late-April, the two cars had already been collidedf with Ryde Pier on 22 January causing a gash in stripped of spares. the hull and the subsequent suspension of service from Wood anemones Powell Duffryn Fuels Ltd, owners of Medina 09.00 until 15.45 hours. Subsequently, Our Lady Pamela was AS A VOLUNTEER staff photographer at the IWSR I have Other spring birds which you may hear in the woods Wharf,f submitted a plan for a 54-berth marina on a involved in another incident which hit the headlines. A plate noticed while photographing trains an immense diversity of are chiffchaff, willow warbler (in the marginal scrub), site at the former railway owned jetty. Cowes Harbour at the rear of the lower lounge was buckled and displaced flora and fauna alongside the track. chaffinch, great tit, blue tit, robin and the wren, which has Commissioners indicated their approval in principle. by heavy seas while the vessel was on the 21.45 crossing to Railway tracksides share with cemeteries, road verges, a remarkably loud voice for such a small bird. However, if Shortly after the withdrawal of the Ryde on 31 January. golf courses and airports the distinction of undisturbed you are really lucky you may hear the unmistakable call of a Harbourf Improvement Company’s planning application Iain Whitlam contributed an article on the Ryde Pier habitats for flowers and animals which are often rarely cuckoo flying overhead or in nearby reed beds. for development of the former railway-owned area Tframway ‘Grapes’ car, looking at its construction, service found nearby. As we move in to summer (June to August) the scene will opposite the also threatened Royal Spithead Hotel, it was and subsequent preservation. Intensive farming methods and pressure for land for change and there will be new species to discover. announced that the company was to be sold. Richard Dawson looked at the history of electricity housing have reduced habitats for many species of flowers, generationf and supply on the Island. although on the Island we are fortunate to have large areas I would like to acknowledge the help of Keith Marston from of land owned primarily by the National Trust and other Medina Valley Centre and his wife Anne who kindly checked

Once upon a time Once conservation charities where species can flourish. this article for accuracy regarding the plants and birds. Last year I was amazed by the diversity of flowers and Early purple orchid butterflies seen along the railway line, and so I decided to document them and produce a series of articles covering Originals of the four seasons. This is the first. most of the 118 ‘Wight For the purpose of this series I am using the Reports’ from the meteorological definition for the seasons, with spring preliminary issue (P) in coinciding with the calendar months of March, April and October 1967 to the final May. Of course, in nature, seasons overlap and spring can one (117) in July 1998 sometimes start in February and finish in June. are available. Everyone who travels on the trains will have noticed The first 21 issues are the wonderful displays of bluebells (Hyacinthoides non- now very scarce but I scripta), primroses (Primula vulgaris) and lovely clumps of do have a very limited narrow-leaved lungwort (Pulmonaria longifolia) especially at Orange tip butterfly on a supply of issue 2, then 6 Smallbrook, Rowlands Wood and Briddlesford Copse. The Brimstone butterfly on primroses narrow leaved lungwort - 20, priced at £4.00 each narrow-leaved lungwort is one of the local specialities. It including P&P. is very rare in the UK and is found only in the New Forest, A CD with all 21 issues a few areas of east Dorset and the northern half of the Isle as high quality PDFs, of Wight. priced at £12.00 In addition, there are lovely large drifts of white star- including P&P, is also shaped wood anemones (Anemone nemorosa) with bumble available. bees busily foraging for nectar. There are also several I have originals of all examples of early purple orchid (Orchis mascula) along subsequent issues at the trackside, particularly towards Wootton, together with £2.60 each including beautiful clusters of common dog violet (Viola riviniana). P&P. Apart from several species of bumble bee, there are a Please make cheques or variety of butterfly species including orange tip (Anthocharis A common buzzard postal orders payable to cardamines), brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) comma JOHN HULSE and send to (Polygonia c-album), peacock (Aglais io) and speckled wood me at ‘Whitwell’ (Pararge aegeria). 26 Dennison Road, Cheadle Hulme, If you are lucky, you may see the white rump of a jay as it Cheshire SK8 6LW disappears noisily into the woodland surrounding the track, and allow a few weeks or the black and white of the great spotted woodpecker for delivery. (Dendrocopos major). Also, the red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) Please remember, and hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) live in the all proceeds will go woodlands already mentioned. Overhead there will often be to the SECR Carriage the mewing of the common buzzard, which seems to have overtaken the common kestrel as our most common bird Restoration Fund. A view of the removal of the ‘Grapes’ car, Ryde Pier Tramway No 4 (incorrectly displaying car No 3) being removed from the old Hull Transport & Archeology Museum, 22 March 1988. Hull City Council Museums & Art Galleries of prey. A drift of bluebells Common dog violet

26 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2108 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2018 27 From the archives

Chosen by Roger Silsbury and Roger Macdonald Along the foot of the downs runs the Eastern Yar, here but a stream, accompanied by the railway from Newport to Sandown, along which are miniature stations, served by leisurely little trains, which puff peacefully along their appointed way’. This idyllic word-picture was written by R L P and Dorothy M Jowitt Brading hauling a First Class carriage and a break van in their book The Isle of Wight, published in 1951. conveying the contractor, railway officials and some Newport councillors. ('break' being the contemporary spelling of 'brake') Horringford station was opened briefly on 27 June 1872 – Coronation Day – even though the Inspecting Officer of the Board of Trade had refused to sanction opening to passenger traffic a few days previously. At this time only the Sandown to Horringford section had been completed. The IW(NJ)R was finally authorised to open on 1 February 1875 between Sandown and Shide. The station consisted of a single platform on the Down side west of the . Originally there was a loop to the west of the station when Horringford was the temporary terminus from Sandown, this then became a siding facing Up (towards Sandown) trains. The was larger than any of the others on the line. A small signal box housed a five-lever frame controlling the level crossing gate locks, and Up and Down Home and Distant signals. The siding had a separate ground frame locked by an Annett’s key on the train staff. The siding was the subject of an agreement dated 13 March 1885 between the IW(NJ)R and Richard Roach Pittis of Hale Farm, which stated that it belonged to Mr Pittis, as did another siding leading off from the first to a gravel pit on Hale Farm. In 1910 the Isle of Wight Central Railway, as successors to the IW(NJ)R, purchased a strip of land on which the siding was situated in order to build an extension to the platform. V

General view looking east 1920s C N Anderson; AB 2836. Taken by C N Anderson who Horringford station was Assistant Divisional Operating Superintendent for the Isle of Wight 1923- Here we focus specifically on Horringford, ‘the ford Horringford station was situated next to the crossing 1925, and showing the station repainted by the of the dwellers by the river fork’, according to A D Mills in of the main Newport to Sandown road. When the railway Southern Railway. Details The Place-names of the Isle of Wight. The combination of opened this would have been no more than a country to note include the SR low-lying ground and river were to prove problematical for road, suitable for the horse and cart era. Today, it is the concrete running-in board painted with dark letters on the railway over the years, not least in terms of keeping A3056, a major road with constant traffic, including heavy a light background in LSWR separate fresh water and foul. goods vehicles. Where the railway crossed the road it style, the flat-bottom track, Quite why the name Horringford was used is unknown. was protected by crossing gates, one of seven sets on the the cultivated garden area Above: The siding, points and associated ground frame looking towards Sandown, 1950s. AB 3202 between the track and the It was only a small hamlet, whereas the much larger branch. Those crossing gates were the bane of everybody’s The track does not look as though the siding has been used for some time. Features of note river, and the difference in settlement of Arreton was about a mile away along the life, as the archives reveal. include the clean permanent way hut, the rear of a speed restriction board, and the close the platform height marking proximity of the River Yar. the 1910 extension. main road. This compares with the next station towards During construction of the Isle of Wight (Newport Junction) Railway a trial run was made between Sandown which was named Newchurch after the village Left: A detail from a photograph taken by A B MacLeod c 1930 showing what is believed to have some half a mile away whilst actually being in the hamlet of Horringford and Sandown on Saturday 13 April 1872, been an IWCR name board proclaiming the station as Horringford for Arreton, although it was Langbridge. utilising the hired Isle of Wight Railway’s locomotive never referred to in such a manner in timetables. A B MacLeod L HOR 0102N

28 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2108 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2018 29 Tickets to and from Horringford station When the branch closed on 6 February 1956, unused ticket stock was returned for auditing: much of this stock survived and is still obtainable and our collection has benefited from this. Some of the stock was still Southern Railway title, but the more frequently made journeys had resulted in the issuing of stock with British Railways or British Transport Commission title.

Third Class Monthly Return In order to promote travel the 0139 from Horringford to railway provided through booking Blackwater is an example of an facilities which included road audit Southern Railway issue. transport to various Island places The (I.W.) distinguishes it from such as Carisbrooke Castle and the Blackwater in Hampshire. Chine. 0077 is an Note that the lower version of audit example for an outing to St the abbreviation omits the full Catherine’s Lighthouse, going by stop after the W, the typesetter train to Ventnor, and then presumably having insufficient onwards by Southern Vectis space. Omnibus.

From the archives the archives From Third Class Return 0430 from The last day of service before a Horringford to Shanklin shows line closed inevitably saw locals Horringford station Horringford the transitional style used by the making a nostalgic trip and 0694 TI/2016/0034 now nationalised railway, but TI/2016/0323 represents the return portion imitating that of the SR shown of a journey undertaken from in the previous illustration. The Newchurch to Horringford and ticket was issued subject to back – all one mile of it in each the conditions of the Railway direction! The reverse side of the Executive. The fare of 1/10 is ticket is endorsed in manuscript followed by the letter H which ‘Last train Newport to Sandown’ indicates the fare increase which came into force on 2 March 1952. Horringford c1955. An Up train to Sandown is seen arriving and this view shows well the substantial station building, the A First Class blank issue from signal box and the platform rebuilt using standard SR concrete sections. A solitary SR 8-plank open wagon stands on the Horringford to Newchurch, ticket Third Class Cheap Day Return TI/0000/0011 siding, beyond the goods yard gate: access lay behind the station building. 0176, appears dated 05 FE and 5656 from Horringford to almost certainly 56, so it could Newport is an audit specimen of well have the by now standard format for been tickets and has on the reverse purchased British Transport Commission as a title which came into effect on souvenir 1 October 1953. Apart from TI/2013/0168 rather pre-Grouping stock, there are than as a no Second ticket to Class tickets, travel. Third Class TI/0000/0295 not being Third Class Day Excursion 1240 abolished from Shanklin to Horringford is until four an example of early Southern months after Railway style, dated 31 AU 25. the line’s One hopes that the excursionist closure. TI/2016/0326 realised that there was 0386 is an audit example of an not exactly much to see in article ticket. The ten-mile limit Horringford. Perhaps he, or she, permitted really was taking the train to get use from to Arreton as the station running- Horringford to in board indicated, or perhaps anywhere on it was for a walk in the Island’s the Island’s glorious countryside. With the network, with railway now closed, you can still the exception alight from public transport, of no albeit a Southern Vectis omnibus, further than and walk the former railway line TI/2016/0213 Carisbrooke on the Freshwater TI/2016/0247 in either direction to Sandown or branch: Calbourne was 11 Newport. V railway miles distant. Can you spot the typesetter’s error? Horringford level crossing 1949 J Moss. The style of the level crossing gates differs from those in the 1920s, the result of various altercations as revealed through the archives. The signal box commands a good view of the level crossing and any There is no apostrophe in passengers arriving through the wicket gate. The Down Home signal comprises LSWR fittings on an SR concrete post. ‘Childs’. V

30 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2108 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2018 31 Horringford station From the archives

Letters should be addressed to: The Editor, IRN, The Railway Station, Havenstreet, Isle of Wight PO33 4DS or emailed to [email protected] Horringford station document The Editor reserves the right to edit letters and stresses that the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the magazine or The first incident in the file for Horringford is perhaps the most Even after the closure of the line there were still incidents. On 21 Postbag The Isle of Wight Railway Co Ltd. amusing. It is wartime, and in August 1944 a group of Free French sailors January 1958 a van ‘got out of control on the downhill approach which was in a car crash into the gates which are closed to allow the 7.34 pm Newport covered with ice, smashed the top and bottom rails of the gates and the G6 Class on the the West Country and four Ivatt Chimneys little money the Chesham had removed the chimney to Sandown train to pass. ‘The lady Grade 1 porter on duty at the time, took protective meshing was badly buckled’, but ‘as this branch line is now closed, branch had been electrified from 41284 and placed it the car No. G.X.C. 727. but could not get their names, as they could not speak the present repairs will carry over until recovery of assets, when it will be Island? were transferred to the Island. Dear Sir and the Ivatt locomotives into the bunker of 41298. It English, so she informed the station master, No other damage to the gates’ fenced off’. I reply to the query raised transferred to the Southern is said that the locomotive wrote Inspector Fidler in his report to his superior at Eastleigh. It was not always the motorist who seemed to be at fault. On 29 Dear Sir The E1 class was With reference to the letter developed as a larger goods by Keith Naylor in the last Region at Nine Elms. did a couple of turns with The next incident is recorded on 6 August 1946 when a taxi, ‘travelling August 1949 a Sandown – Cowes train demolished all four gates, as the issue of Island Rail News. Each time we visited this the chimney buried beneath fast down the hill, knocked the gate post, causing it to twist across the road accompanying memorandum below reveals! Our by now well-known on page 42 in IRN 77, I version of the Terrier class believe the G6 class would of which there were seven May I first say how haven of Southern steam, the coal but we have no into the path of an oncoming vehicle, just after the last train had cleared Inspector Fidler was able to report back to Mr Restall on 26 September pleased Peter Clarke we fondly patted 41284, means of proving this. Merstone at 10.20 pm’. The road was blocked for an hour. ‘The Grade 2 porter that the crossing gates had been repaired. never have been considered examples on the Island in for the Isle of Wight. 1932. As evidenced by the and I are that our Ivatt one of the ex-Chesham We did not lift the chimney just leaving duty had a narrow escape’. No locomotives have found Shuttle locomotives. Nine out until the locomotive damage was done to the gates and no Historically, Island comment on IRN 77 p20 railways were always low there must be at least some such a well-suited and Elms now had little use for had reached Longmoor, one was seriously hurt. appreciated retirement these small locomotives nearly pulling down the Three weeks later on 29 August there down the pecking order and mechanical similarities. all locomotives transferred Cabs fitted to the last home. The two tanks are and 41284 still seemed in Nissen hut roof to which was yet another incident with ‘level well suited to their new reasonable condition. The our lifting block was crossing gates, one on down side nearest there were surplus to batch of O2s were six requirements elsewhere. inches higher than their tasks and with much people on the Southern attached. Before we fitted Station house smashed, by an Army appreciation are being Region, although a little this chimney we were told Vehicle’. The names, ranks and numbers G6 locomotives were always predecessors, thus putting fully employed as evidenced them outside the Island looked after. surprised, were most that the Keighley & Worth of the army personnel were recorded. To the chimneys, Peter helpful and a scrap price Valley Railway was having a ‘Gates were closed against the public for by all members of the class gauge which is why none surviving into BR days. of them were sent to the and I attended the same was agreed for when pattern made of a genuine the passing of the 10.3 p.m. ex Sandown’. school and became keen the locomotive would be Ivatt chimney (there are ‘Lights on gates were alight’. ‘Practically The O2 class was trialled Island. The same cabs on the Island because some were fitted to the G6 class. members of the Railway withdrawn from service. very slight differences with new gate required. 12”-6 standard Correspondence and Travel Peter and I obtained a the BR replacement) for pattern’. Mr Furnivall in the Divisional were becoming surplus Altering the cabs does not - indeed several failed to seem an onerous task but Society, visiting as many day’s Shed Permit which its Ivatt tank locomotive. Engineer’s Office at Eastleigh instructed locomotives depots as we we stretched a little and We made contact and Inspector Fidler: ‘Your charges should be make it to the Island and the desperate economic were scrapped in Southern conditions in 1932 must be could then afford. During visited often. Then one offered to pay half the cost allocated to O.P. War Dept. 148/2/2’. these visits we became day the Shed Master said, of a new pattern provided On Sunday morning, 25 September Railway days. taken into account. E1 class locomotives had G6 class to the Island? aware that nobody was ”Sorry, I have some bad we too could have a new 1955, a motorcycle skidded on the wet trying to preserve a really news for you both. Our boiler chimney cast. The KWVR road and crashed into the gates which been steadily scrapped/sold Nice idea – but I think a since 1908 hence why ten case of romantic hindsight. modern branch line steam examiner has condemned kindly agreed and this is at the time were opened to road traffic. locomotive. Peter lived 41284’s boiler with a faulty the chimney now fitted to The cost of the repairs amounted to were available to be rebuilt Lindsay Davis into 0-6-2Ts for service in Member 413 within sound distance of the foundation ring that is not 41298. £21 2s 11d. The case eventually went to ‘Chesham Shuttle’ climbing worth repairing. No reason The BR Ivatt chimney court. 0000/8160 up the bank to Chalfont why you should not still have from 41284 is now fitted to on London Transport’s this locomotive, but why don’t tender locomotive 46447, Chesham branch and I had you have 41298? It’s in far presently on loan to the the great joy of travelling better condition, having been East Somerset Railway and A working life spent on the buses was marked by his on it in my school days the last locomotive to have a the Keighley pattern has KEN BOULTON coffin arriving at the Isle of Wight Crematorium aboard from my home in Chalfont. general overhaul, the boiler again been used to supply a red Routemaster (RML) bus. Ken was a West Ham It was thus only natural has always received the the chimney now fitted to WE WERE SADDENED to learn of the passing of Ken United supporter, and this was acknowledged by the that when we decided to do Southern Water Treatment 41313, all three Ivatts now Boulton on 7 March, aged 87. Ken was a regular volunteer club scarf placed upon his coffin and the playing of the something about preserving and it is fitted with BR AWS looking very much better in the carriage and wagon workshop and on operating Hammers’ anthem I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles. The a locomotive we should equipment”. We replied for the change as well as An LSWR G6 locomotive. days could often be found working the ground frames as closing music at the funeral was Rabbit by London duo think of the Ivatt tank “Yes, but it’s fitted with being more suited to the Pointsman. During the Santa Specials season he would Chas ‘n’ Dave. locomotives that had taken that terrible thin Western Isle of Wight . occupy his place in the grotto, having first donned a red We offer our sympathy to Anne and the family. over the working of the chimney”. “Don’t worry about Roy Miller suit and white beard. Indeed, when HM The Queen visited Chesham branch from the that”, came the reply “…they In 2009 Roy Miller and Peter the Railway to open the C&W workshop in 2004, she asked Great Central C13s. made no difference anyway”. Clark generously donated of both Ken and John Price what they did at the Railway. By the time Peter and I The next thing we knew was 41298 and 41313 to the “We’re Father Christmas” was probably not the answer Her had started work and had a that Nine Elms steam crane Railway. Majesty was expecting! Readers of Island Rail News may recall ‘Ken’s Teasers’, a railway knowledge quiz. The feature ran without a break for 13 years, from issue No 2 until No 52 (Autumn 2011). Ken started his working life as a glazier. Indeed, Ken was involved in the creation of the Second World War Memorial Windows in Westminster Abbey where a stained glass TRI BU TE window features a Spitfire. Ken joined London Transport as a bus conductor and then progressed to become a bus driver. He married Anne in 1986 and they moved to the Island shortly afterwards with Ken taking up a position with Southern Vectis. This painting by Matthew Cousins shows the Ivatts 41313 and 41298 at Havenstreet station 41313 at Wootton on her first service run, 4 April. John Faulkner but both are depicted carrying BR replacement chimneys.

32 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2108 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2018 33 Membership Matters Postbag Continued Advertise Allen Atley, Membership Secretary, brings you the latest on all membership in Island Rail News Norton South, both former words have a familiar ring to matters and would like to extend a warm welcome to the following ISLAND RAIL NEWS is mailed and haunts of Ivatt tank them. I hear them echo from new members who have joined us in the last quarter. locomotives. the past, uttered at a desolate, sold to 1700+ readers around the Wouldn't it be wonderful weed infested rural backwater 6541 Mr P J Hutchings Senior citizen Buckinghamshire 07/01/18 world four times a year. if, at some time in the named Havenstreet, in relation 6542 Mr C Barnes Senior citizen Hertfordshire 10/01/18 If you would like to place an advertisement in the future, when 41313 or to enthusiasts seeking to 6543 Mr G M Buck Senior citizen Northamptonshire 16/01/18 magazine please contact the Editor for details, via the 41298 go for overhaul/ run a two mile stretch of line 6544 Mrs M A Buck Senior citizen Northamptonshire 16/01/18 Railway at Havenstreet Station on 01983 882204 or exchange – perhaps at the to Wootton and even having 6545 Mr J D Ward Senior citizen Dorset 30/01/18 email [email protected] East Somerset Railway, the the audacity to contemplate 6546 Mr A A Turner Senior citizen Worcestershire 30/01/18 Rates for advertising in Island Rail News: means could be found for extending the Ashey siding 6547 Mr A T Collyer Adult Isle of Wight 10/02/18 them to revisit old these towards Smallbrook! Eighth page: £15 Quarter page: £30 6548 Mr P F Babister Senior citizen Surrey 10/02/18 haunts once again. Think Um! Hot Chocolate sing 'I Half page: £55 Full page: £95 6549 Mr J Holbrook Junior Bristol 25/02/18 how morale (and passenger believe in miracles’. So do 41313 doubleheading another one of Barnstaple Junction shed's 13 Ivatt tanks leaves 6550 Mr P Longfils Senior citizen Birmingham 25/02/18 Rates are for full colour advertisements. Bideford in 1963 with a branch train to Torrington. Derek Clark, Clive Fairchild Collection takings) would be boosted, we all. It's happened on the plus valuable PR gained for IWSR. Perchance it could 6551 Mr S Mosedale Adult Hampshire 28/02/18 Advertisements can be made up from text and Photographs of Ivatt magazine. How they would the above stations and for come to pass in due course, at 6552 Alfie Read Dependent child Isle of Wight 06/03/18 pictures supplied. Ivatt 2MT Class 41313 and love a visit from this engine the IWSR. the fledgling railway centres, 6553 John Read Dependent child Isle of Wight 06/03/18 Ambassadors? observations that Ivatts to their tracks once again “Too expensive!” “Too in the form of an Ivatt visit, 6554 Mr G Suter Senior citizen Isle of Wight 07/03/18 regularly worked through to head a representative impractical!” “Impossible!” as mentioned above? Who 6555 Mr D W J Brown Senior citizen Isle of Wight 07/03/18 Dear Sir Bideford appeared in the portion of the Atlantic I hear people exclaim. I knows? 6556 Mr R Cooper Adult West Sussex 13/03/18 The locomotive gems at spring issue of the Bideford Coast Express, – as would can but dream ... but there Nigel R C Spencer MBE DL 6557 Mr D A Jones Senior citizen Southampton 13/03/18 Keep track Havenstreet make our Railway Heritage Centre Shillingstone and Midsomer again, wait a moment, those Member 760 6558 Mr D A Hope Senior citizen Isle of Wight 19/03/18 of all the latest Special Events that are mouths water! Whoever 6559 Mr S Barlow Adult Kent 19/03/18 would have thought when 6560 Mr J Speck Senior citizen Isle of Wight 19/03/18 taking place at the Isle of Wight Steam we were oiling fishplates 6561 Mr F Heap Senior citizen Isle of Wight 20/03/18 near Woodhouse crossing Railway by clicking on our website: in 1971 that one day those 6562 Mr D Reynolds Senior citizen Isle of Wight 27/03/18 www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk very rails would support t At 31 March 2018 we had 1706 members of whom 50 were overdue Ivatt tank locomotives and January renewals. even a Class 33 Diesel t Please look carefully inside magazine envelopes for renewal notices visitor. We owned W24 as this is how notices are sent out. Calbourne and had the t If your renewal date is January or April 2018 please check that you have not overlooked payment of your subscription. loan of W37 Invincible – an O2 and an industrial tank engine – a great achievement in itself, but to Did you know? even consider the treasure Back numbers of most IRNs chest of what the IWSR holds now – why that was are still available to the stuff of fiction. complete your collection. Because I admire the pioneering spirit of railway volunteers, I support For more information email: Scan here with your smart small groups who seek [email protected] phone for the website to realise a dream, just as we teenagers did with the Wight Locomotive Society over 40 years ago. Thus the Bideford Would you like to become a Member of the Railway? Articles and letters relating to the Isle of Railway Heritage Centre, Write to IRN now! Wight Steam Railway, Island Rail News and any other topics regarding railways the Shillingstone Railway 41298 doubleheading If you are not a member of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway For further information and an another Ivatt arrives on the Isle of Wight are welcomed. Project and the Somerset at Torrington in 1963 and have enjoyed reading this magazine then why not join us? application form, please send a stamped, Deadline for articles and/or photographs for the next issue of self-addressed envelope to: & Dorset Railway Heritage with a branch train from You will then receive all four quarterly copies of Island Rail Trust based at Midsomer Barnstaple Junction. She Island Rail News is 1 July 2018. would have been attached News together with three free travel tickets each year. The Membership Secretary Norton all receive my to this service to avoid a It would really help the magazine production team if articles or letters are submitted in an The Isle of Wight Railway Company Limited light engine movement. Membership Rates membership dues. It is electronic format. They can be supplied on disc or can be emailed to the editor at The Railway Station, Havenstreet Note the narrow chimney for Our annual subscription prices are: good to encourage them in draughting experiments that [email protected] Isle of Wight PO33 4DS worthwhile endeavours, just she had during her BR days. If photographs are supplied, a caption and photographer’s credit should be marked on the Adult £25.00 Mike Squire as we WLS members were back of the print, or attached, if a transparency. Please enclose a SAE if you would like the Associate £20.00 once supported by folk like photographs returned. Digital photographs should be supplied as high resolution images, Your Senior (over 60 years) £20.00 r Inviitat tiion to J again with a caption and photographer’s credit. Beco Joiin Us David Shephard, Alistair ome a M s Family (2 adults and up to 4 children) £50.00 and h emb hellp ke ber tr eep the MacLeod, Hannah Winter, traiins ru e Junior (under 18 years) £10.00 unniing Bill Snellgrove et al. if possible Please restrict letters to the Editor to no more than 200 words.

34 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2108 Island Rail News 78 | Spring 2018 35