Operating Department News - May 2011

April was a busy month for the Operating Department, with timetabled passenger services running on 22 days.  The Guards’ Journals recorded a total of 9,708 passengers carried during the month, which compared with 8,908 in April 2010.  Hopefully, this welcome increase will continue.

Back in 1971, our first year at Haven Street, 12th April was Easter Monday and that was the first day when the nascent Isle of Wight Steam Railway carried fare paying passengers from Haven Street.  Our three LB&SCR bogie carriages (2416, 6349 and brake 4168) were propelled by locomotive W24 Calbourne from Haven Street towards Wootton to a location just short of Woodhouse Crossing.  After a brief stop, the train returned to Haven Street, the 1½ mile round trip taking about 30 minutes.

To mark the 40th anniversary of that first day, it had been intended to recreate the event.  However, circumstances conspired against us.  Unfortunately, Brighton brake 4168 was not quite ready for traffic following a lengthy period out of service and an extensive restoration programme.  With our only other serviceable bogie brake carriage (SECR No. 4145) having its brake at the Haven Street end (and therefore preventing the Guard from having a forward view towards Wootton when propelling) the decision was taken to scale back the event and use W8 Freshwater and the Ventnor West push-pull set on a shuttle service between Haven Street and Wootton whilst W24 maintained the service over the full length of the line with a train of bogie carriages.

Despite 12th April falling on a Tuesday this year, the publicised event had clearly captured the imagination of our visitors and it quickly became evident that we needed to supplement the regular passenger service.  After the first shuttle had returned from Wootton the decision was taken to switch to a full two train ‘red’ timetable for the remainder of the day and strengthen the Ventnor West set with the remaining four-wheelers.  However, to mark the significance of the day, all services operated by W8 and the four wheelers paused briefly at Woodhouse Crossing whilst a guide offered a brief explanation of the events that had occurred exactly 40 years ago to the day!

Throughout most of April we operated our one-train ‘green’ service, although the annual ‘Bustival’ event on Sunday 17th April warranted a two train service.  Friday 29th April was the day of the Royal Wedding.  Nevertheless, we were open for business and all trains carried the ‘Wedding Belle’ headboard to mark the occasion.  The Guard’s Journal recorded 150 passengers on the day.

Coinciding with the annual Beer Festival our one-train ‘blue’ timetable was operated on Saturday 30th April and on Sunday 1st & Bank Holiday Monday 2nd May.  This timetable saw services running until later in the afternoon to cater for those real ale aficionados staggering heading home via Island Line services.  

Saturday 7th May was the date of the Annual General Meeting.  Freshwater and the Ventnor West set operated the morning service to Smallbrook Junction to collect members arriving via Island Line.  During the afternoon the set was strengthened to include the remaining four-wheelers and three round trips of the line were operated.

Three days later, on Tuesday 10th May, the Railway hosted its fourth royal visit when HRH The Duke of Kent visited Haven Street.  A two train service operated during the morning, with the Duke travelling on the 11:17 down service from Haven Street, returning on the 11:31 from Wootton.  The royal train comprised the six four-wheelers hauled by W24, complete with a four-lamp ‘royal’ head code.  Although a published service train, the two Ventnor West push-pull carriages were available for the exclusive use by Duke and his entourage.  However, the Duke actually travelled both to and from Wootton on Calbourne’s footplate, escorted by Locomotive Superintendent Len Pullinger!

Thursday, 19th May saw our LB&SCR brake third 4168 make a welcome entry back into passenger service.  It has been 21 years since this vehicle was last in revenue earning service gap and the day marked the first occasion that the carriage had conveyed fare-paying passengers to Smallbrook Junction since 1966.

Aside from the two bank holiday weekends timetabled services have operated in May on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.