Walk the Line
[photo: Jon Jolliffe]
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the opening of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, a programme of guided walks has been arranged in association with I.W.Ramblers. The walks cover sections of the former railway system inherited by BR(SR) from three island companies, all of which struggled to make money, and closed in the 1950's and 60's.
Only two island lines remain open. Ryde-Sandown-Shanklin remains part of the national rail network, updated(!) to use second-hand 70-year old London tube trains. Smallbrook-Havenstreet-Wootton (pictured) is operated as the IW Steam Railway with Victorian and Edwardian trains staffed by volunteer enthusiasts.
Many of the closed lines have become easy-to-follow footpaths and cycleways. The walking programme covers:
- Thu 21 Apr. Shanklin-Ventnor (IWR, closed 1966)
- Wed 11 May. Newport-Wootton (IWCR, closed 1966)
- Tue 17 May. Brading-Bembridge (IWR, closed 1953)
- Wed 1 June. Newport-Sandown (IWCR, closed 1956)
- Thu 16 June. Newport-Cowes (IWCR, closed 1966)
- Sat 10 Sept. Shanklin-Ventnor (IWR, closed 1966)
- Sat 17 Sept. Freshwater-Yarmouth (FYNR, closed 1953)
- Sun 18 Sept. Brading-Bembridge (IWR, closed 1953)
All walks are open to anyone, with donations invited for the organising associations.
Check out "Walk the Line" events on the steam railway's website for details of rendezvous points.
