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2 unusual facts about Isle of Wight Railway


Isle of Wight Railway

Despite the Island's popularity as a holiday resort after World War II, British Railways closed the Bembridge branch in the 1950s and the Shanklin - Ventnor part of the IWR main line in 1966.

This section through Ryde and along Ryde Pier was built and owned jointly by the LB&SCR and the London and South Western Railway.


Railways on the Isle of Wight

Shortly after this, the Isle of Wight Railway (IWR) company built its initial line from Ryde to Shanklin, opening in 1864.

Ryde Pier

However, trains were run by the independent Isle of Wight Railway and Isle of Wight Central Railway, who owned the tracks beyond St John's Road and operated through services to Ventnor and Cowes via Newport respectively.

TF Carrier

By 1883 Carrier was surplus to requirements at Granton and was sold to the Isle of Wight Railway Co which wished to establish a ferry service between Langstone station on the LB&SCR's Hayling Island Branch and Bembridge on the island.


see also