ISLE OF WIGHT STEAM COULD RETURN TO RYDE IN 2021
serious negotiations begin between Isle of Wight steam Railway and south Western Railway.
The Isle of Wight Steam Railway could finally realise its long-held dream of reconnecting with Ryde in 2021, following constructive discussions with the Island Line’s Train Operating Company, South Western Railway.
The IoWSR currently terminates at Smallbrook Junction, where the former Isle of Wight Central Railway’s Newport-Ryde route connects with the SWR-operated Ryde-Shanklin Island Line, but has long harboured ambitions of extending services to Ryde St John’s Road, on the outskirts of the town itself.
Recent discussions between the railway and SWR have paved the way for a future operating agreement that could allow steam services to return to St John’s for the first time since 1966.
IoWSR General Manager Peter Vail told Steam Railway:
“Our communication and discussions with South Western Railway are at an early stage but options are now being seriously considered. They are extremely supportive of our desire to run into St John’s Road but are understandably keen that our presence does not impact on the operation of the Island Line service.
“Our aim is to reach an agreement with SWR within six months, but this is all dependent upon many factors, including discussions with the Office of Rail and Road.”
Should an agreement between all parties be reached, it is hoped that work to connect the IoWSR to the Island Line and Ryde St John’s will happen in winter 2020/21 – when the Island Line is resignalled and a new passing loop installed at Brading – making way for the railway to begin services to Ryde, hopefully later in 2021.
Mr Vail added: “If we are to reach St John’s Road without crossing Island Line metals, then our access must also be into Platform 1. At present, three options are under consideration, all of which require us to have exclusive use of the present Island Line Up line between Smallbrook Junction and a point just short of St John’s Road.”
These options are:
1. Running ‘top and tail’ between Smallbrook and St John’s Road Platform 1. From the points where the IoWSR’s exclusive track ends, into Platform 1, will be shared with Island Line, with the former’s service dovetailed into those of the latter.
2. The IoWSR builds a new platform to the south of St John’s Road station and signal box so no track sharing is necessary. There will be no run-round loop, so ‘top and tailing’ again will be necessary.
3. The IoWSR seeks to acquire land in the vicinity of St John’s Road to create a new platform and run-round loop. Again, no track sharing will be necessary but under this option the need to ‘top and tail’ will be eliminated.
Commenting on the three options, Mr Vail said: “Under Option 1, we could run into Ryde St John’s in the 2021 season, but
we would anticipate ‘high days and holidays’ running up to, say, 20 days in year one and further review.
“Should Option 1 progress, there is a very short track sharing issue. Our wooden-bodied carriages and a live third rail present a number of very real safety challenges. Our discussions with the ORR to date have been limited to informal information gathering and we are mindful that if that option is to be worked up then more detailed discussions are essential.
“Option 2 would be down to our ability to construct a new basic platform and walkway to the main Ryde St John’s station. I would like to estimate 2021, but there are no guarantees. Option 3 requires negotiations over land purchases, and as we would be in the hands of third parties, I suspect that could take longer, but I’d hesitate to put a date on that.
“Should we acquire the Up line from Smallbrook to the edge of Ryde St John’s, then it will be up to us to connect at Smallbrook – there will be no need for points, but a fence would be required where we run alongside the Island Line. Any track work that involves Island Line will not involve us.
“We have not entered into a discussion about the costs; that will happen when a scheme is agreed. We have previously indicated our desire to upgrade the St John’s station facilities but this has not been discussed with SWR in any detail. We would be keen to do all we can to help regenerate that part of Ryde.
“In summary, our desire to run between St John’s Road and Wootton is as strong as ever. We have some great support on the island and the island’s MP, Bob Seely, is particularly keen to assist where he can. Our relationship with SWR is extremely positive and we have a good understanding of their need to operate Island Line in an efficient manner.”
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE REACHED A POINT THAT A SERIOUS DISCUSSION AND NEGOTIATIONS HAVE MADE PROGRESS PETER VAIL, GENERAL MANAGER, IOWSR