Passenger rolling stock collection as at December 2020

THE IoWSR’s vehicle collection dates between 1864 and 1923. It exists because of an early policy decision to record the location of every carriage body on the island, and to acquire as many as possible. It is estimated that about 120 carriage bodies were used as chalets, bungalows or sheds after active service, with nine so far returned to service and others in the restoration queue. About 50 bodies remain in non-rail use around the island today.

IoW Railway (built by Oldbury for the opening of the Ryde to Shanklin line)

■ No. 10, 1864 three compartment composite restored as part of the Great Rail Restoration Channel 4 TV production in 2017, and is on display in Train Story.

■ No. 21, 1864 under restoration. Arrived at Havenstreet in 1980 after use as a garden shed.

London Brighton South Coast Railway stock

■ No. 2343, 1896 LBSCR five compartment third. Was used as a bungalow from 1931.

■ No. 2416, 1916 LBSCR nine compartment third. Was used in the final BR steam working on December 31, 1966, from Shanklin.

■ No. 4168, 1905 frames/1922 body five compartment brake third used on the final steam service in 1966.

■ No. 6349, 1924 eight compartment composite.

■ No. 2403, 1903 eight compartment third.

■ No. 4115, 1896 three compartment brake third, used as a bungalow from 1931.

London Chatham Dover Railway

■ No. 4112, 1898 brake third saloon, push-pull set No. 484. Used as a bungalow from 1938.

■ No. 6369, 1887 saloon composite. Push-pull set No. 484. Used as a bungalow from 1938.

■ No. 2515, 1894 five compartment third converted in about 1899 to brake third, used as a chalet from 1937 and fitted with double doors for wheelchair use in 2003.

■ No. 6378, 1886 four compartment composite used as a chalet from 1937.

North London Railway

■ No. 6336 (NLR No. 46), 1897. Discovered being used as a bungalow on Hayling Island in 1975. Won the Association of Railway Preservation Societies’ first prize for best preserved carriage in 1986.

South East & Chatham Railway

■ Nos. 4145, 1911, brake third four compartment. Moved from Newport in January 1971.

■ Nos. 4149, 1911, brake third four compartment. Moved from Newport in January 1971.

■ No. 6375, 1911 saloon composite. Used in the final BR steam service on December 31, 1966. Returned to traffic in 2020.

The Beach Hut carriage

■ No. 6376, 1886 LCDR. Sister to restored No. 6378. It was used as a chalet until 2013 and has been fitted out in a 1950s holiday chalet style, and is positioned outside Train Story.

Latest restoration project commenced

■ No. 4115 is an LCDR 1898 five compartment brake third vehicle built by Brown Marshall in Birmingham. In September 2020, it was placed on frames for first time since 1948. It was used as a farm store and animal shelter for 27 years until 1975, and has waited 45 years for restoration! Notable because it was the first vehicle to be rescued by the Wight Locomotive Society.