I was excited about my trip to the Isle of Wight and spent some time looking at things I could do there. I am interested in history and heritage and liked the sound of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. I do like steam trains and thought it would be fun to travel on one - the last time I did this was as a child on holiday. The Isle of Wight Steam Railway is what remains of the original railway on the Isle of Wight: the rest of it either no longer runs or, in the case of the Island Line which runs down the east coast, has been electrified. The steam railway runs from Smallbrook Junction in the east (where it meets the Island Line) to Wootton Station in the west, ...  Read the complete review

The Isle of Wight Steam Railway is located in Havenstreet not too far (approximately 3 miles) from Ryde or Newport. Although there are 3 train stations that the train stops at, you can only pay and gain access to the Steam Train at this station. The train stations are: Havenstreet Wootton Ashey Smallbrook Junction The train doesn't currently stop at Ashey, I am unsure why. We followed the signs from Ryde towards the Steam Train and Havenstreet, you go out in the countryside and down some rather small lanes, but the Train Station is on the left hand side as is the car park. The car park isn't massive but it was rather ...  Read the complete review

The Isle of Wight Steam Railway is probably the best kept attraction on the Island and would suit anyone of any age and is a big hit with families who come to the Island on holiday. After Dr Beeching's report closed a huge number of stations across the length and breadth of the country, the Island's railways was all but decimated. All that was left was a rickety old underground train that goes up and down Ryde Pier and goes back and forth to Sandown. In the old days there were stations in Cowes, Newport and Ventnor. Luckily enough there are a vast number of railways enthusiasts who want to keep the last remaining stations open and a group of such ...  Read the complete review

To say that the rail infrastructure that the Isle of Wight used to have was huge is an understatement; from 1862 onwards a total of 54 miles of track virtually covering the whole island, giving residents a full service at their disposal. Unfortunately in 1952 the infrastructure and the various lines were cut back and were closed to what we have today with just the Island Line remaining that runs from Ryde Pier to the southern part of the island totalling just 8.5 miles in length. However there is still an opportunity to see the steam trains in action and have the opportunity to ride upon them between Wooton and Smallbrook Junction and although at just 5.5 miles in length  Read the complete review

Steam railways seem to have a way of dividing people. They're either fascinating or boring. Whichever camp you fall into there's no denying that some railways are better than others. Some will appeal to those who love scenery (the Welsh narrow gauge railways spring to mind). Some will appeal to those with a head for heights (try some of the Austrian alp railways). Others will appeal to kids (the Thomas experience in Swindon) and others to pure historians. The Isle of Wight railway is a bit different and there may just be a little something for everyone save for the ardent hater of steam and metal. Based out of Havenstreet and with trains running between ...  Read the complete review