The Isle of Wight Steam Railway's Gala timetable is now live on its website.
The Gala weekend, from 23 to 25 June, will celebrate the centenary of the Southern Railway. Until 1923, the Island's railways were run by three independent local companies. The creation of the Southern Railway on New Year's Day 1923 brought about many changes, including larger locomotives, longer bogie carriages, and modernisation of the track and stations.
With the Isle of Wight busy with holidaymakers, this was a golden era for the Island's railways, which the Railway intends to celebrate during what it describes as an “action-packed” weekend.
The Railway's flagship locomotive W24 Calbourne will be in action, plus resident ‘Terrier' W11 Newport, both resplendent in their Southern Railway liveries, plus visiting ‘Terrier' Fenchurch from the Bluebell Railway.
The A1 ‘Terrier', built in 1872, has recently been overhauled and is now resplendent in ‘Stroudley Improved Engine Green' (a yellow ochre). The loco will make a dramatic and colourful sight when running coupled to Victorian and Edwardian wooden carriages.
Fenchurch is normally resident at the Bluebell Railway in Sussex, and the Isle of Wight Railway is very grateful for Bluebell's support in bringing this popular locomotive to the island.
The Isle of Wight Steam Railway is this year's Heritage Railway Association Railway of the Year.
Friday 23 June
Friday is Terrier Day, with W11 (Newport) sharing duties with visiting locomotive 72 Fenchurch.
Saturday 24 June
The day starts with W11 (Newport) hauling a demonstration goods train along the full length of the line. During the day, visitors can see loco W24 Calbourne with Edwardian bogie carriages, 72 Fenchurch with Victorian four-wheelers, and W11 (Newport) with the popular push-pull set. Late in the afternoon, the two ‘Terriers' will come together for a double-headed special, with Fenchurch continuing into the early evening.
At 16:00, all three locomotives will line up at the end of Havenstreet station (the viewing area outside Train Story is a great vantage point), allowing photographers to capture a classic shot.
Sunday 25 June
W24 Calbourne will once again be in charge of the Railway's bogie carriages, and the two ‘Terriers' will take turns with its Edwardian four-wheeled carriages. Visitors will look out for the Railway's heritage goods train, before another Terrier double-header rounds off the afternoon.
Throughout the Gala
- Other locomotives will be on display in the Train Story Discovery Centre, or around the station.
- Free birds of prey displays will take place at 11:40 and 13:40 each day.
- A real ale bar will be open at Havenstreet station.
- The Railway is providing a Lineside Photography Guide for details of vantage points along the line, including popular spot Ashey halt.
- Regular services will run on Island Line, providing an opportunity to travel on the new Class 484 units.
Ryde Pier Head station and line will be open in time to help visitors get to the Gala.
