Ride the pier tram this season
THE Isle of Wight Steam Railway’s (IWSR) restored Ryde Pier diesel tram is ready for public use after it was relaunched during the line’s ‘Last Train’ event on January 23, which marked the anniversary of the organisation’s move from Newport to Havenstreet in 1971. The event was delayed by 12 months due to the Covid-19 lockdown then in force.
Built in 1927, Drewry Railcar
No. 2 spent its entire working life shuttling between Ryde Esplanade and the Pier Head with its accompanying trailer car. A curious feature was that there was only one driving position, with the tram reversing up the pier, guided only by a wing mirror.
After the pier tramway ceased operation in January 1969, No. 2 was bought by the Island Vintage Transport Group and stripped down to the chassis to facilitate its removal from the pier. It then played a key role in the IWSR’s move to Havenstreet in 1971 and early passengers were able to ride on this curious open-topped vehicle. However, with significant repairs needed, the tram was abandoned in a field for 40 years.
Having been extensively rebuilt over the last decade, it is now resplendent in its original Southern Railway livery, and able to carry 20 passengers along the IWSR, providing panoramic views from the large windows at each end of the vehicle.
The rolling chassis of the replica trailer car has also been constructed, and the next phase of the project will see the body added so that the tram can operate as a two-car set.
It is scheduled to run at the Spring Gala and two of the IWSR’s Island Heritage Train Days this year – April 10 and October 16 – plus the May 14/15 Steam Gala. The vehicle is also available for private hire.
Visit iwsteamrailway.co.uk for details.