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Isle of Wight steam railway

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4SRKT

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I fancy a trip to this in Spring, coupled with a few goes on the 1938 stock. When the IoWSR is running does it usually use 'proper' locos, i.e. Calbourne and that LBSCR 0-6-0T ('Freshwater'?), or is there a significant danger of that awful preserved railway commonplace of yesteryear, some sort of industrial saddle tank?
 
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John Webb

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The stock list in "Railways Restored" shows that the IoW railway has 6 BR or earlier company locos to 4 industrial steam locos, as well as two ex-BR diesel shunters.
Your best bet would be to look at their website www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk a few days in advance to see what they may be running?
 

ACE1888

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Visited last year, absolutely fantastic, immaculate line, restoration standards are amazing, well worth a visit any time of the year I'd say
 

4SRKT

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I do really like the look of this railway, and the attraction of the 1938 stock on the 'real' line will make for an excellent day out. Industrial tanks are a real off-putter for me though, and when I slapped 'Isle of Wight Steam Railway' into Google Images, a worrying number of pictures of industrial saddle tanks came up. This sort of thing might have been 'acceptable in the 80s' to quote Calvin Harris (OK, it wasn't really acceptable even then), but it's certainly not OK now!
 

sprinterguy

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Oi! Industrial saddle tanks are brilliant!:D Little locos that were really worked hard for a living and often have complex and fascinating histories; none of this namby-pamby wishy-washy "lived a life of riley pushing carriages around a big terminus station or trundling up and down the same branch line for forty years" rubbish you sometimes get with the big four/pre-grouping tank engine designs. ;)

I've never visited, but I was under the impression that the Isle of Wight steam railway utilised more ex-BR locos than industrial ones. Can't say for sure though.
 

Schnellzug

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They do have two Austerities, Waggoner and Royal Engineer, but as was observed above I do think industrials often have very worthy histories in their own right.
 

4SRKT

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I don't mind industrials at things like the Middleton Railway where I can avoid 'em, but I will always avoid a preserved line if I think there's going to be one running. The 'turd in the waterpipe' at the KWVR steam galas is their insistence on getting that Nunlow thing out every time for the Ingrow shuttle. Still, on those occasions there are plenty of other things working and avoidance is easy.
 

Bittern

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Industrial tanks are just as beautiful as their mainline counterparts. I didn't think I'd enjoy Wemyss no. 17 as much as, say, 80105, but when I got behind 17 at Bo'ness (on loan from Strathspey), I LOVED her.

But Freshwater alone is enough reason to go to the IoW. Not seen her in years, and hope to return one day.
 

sprinterguy

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Those Andrew Barclay 0-6-0 tanks are great little things. The Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway have one running at the moment that they rescued only a couple of years ago from the scrapyard at Inverkeithing where a few other Barclay steam tank locos still reside. It's amazing how quickly they managed to turn it round from a completely derelict condition into a working steam loco again.
 

4SRKT

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You can't make statements like Industrial tanks are just as beautiful as their main line counterparts. That's your opinion, not a fact. Personally I don't like them and that's my opinion rather than a fact. The only fact that matters here is whether they use saddle tanks or not, so that people (like me) in whose opinion industrial saddle tanks are a poor option can avoid railways that use them. Or for that matter so that people who DO like them can seek them out.
 

Daimler

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I can't vouch for operation on normal days, but during this year's spring gala, all services were operated by ex main-line locomotives, hauling the IOWSR's fantastic collection of vintage carriages (only the Bluebell offers a more impressive selection of veteran vehicles).

I agree with what you say regarding industrials - they just don't have the same appeal to me, particularly on a line such as the IOWSR, where it's possible to run appropriate (ex-island) locomotives and coaches. I suspect many preserved railways use industrials because they are smaller and more economical than most ex-BR engines, but as the IOWSR's former main line locos are pretty small (Freshwater, Calbourne), there might be less of an incentive for them to run industrials on normal days...

EDIT: According to the IOWSR's most recent 'Locomotive News' report (June 2011 :roll:), Waggoner (an ex-industrial saddle tank) is 'currently the mainstay of Railway's daily service along with No.24 [Calbourne].'

Nonetheless, it's a wonderful, idyllic branch line, and I'd recommend going even if you can't guarantee that all trains will be operated by ex-main line locos. :)
 
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Cymroglan

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I must say that I share your dislike of industrial tanks, especially on lines like the Isle of Wight. I've found that they are normally very helpful if you ring a day or two ahead of a possible visit and ask about loco rosters.
I believe I'm right in saying that they have 2 Terriers (only one of which worked in 2011), an 02, and the rest of the working steam fleet = industrials.
You're right in thinking that the main line combined with the IOWSR makes a great day out! If you have time, it's also worth visiting the site of the now vanished station at Ventnor.
 

Techniquest

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I had Waggoner on my visit in September. I have to say, I wasn't impressed. The vintage carriages, they made for a more interesting trip. Unusual to be on something other than MK1s on a preserved railway, something pre-BR was quite interesting.

In terms of the line, a case of 'Meh' applies. Not terribly exciting to be honest, and a case of 'do it to get it in the Baker' for me. Not even a 37 would have made it more interesting I reckon.

You'll love the 38 stock, if you're owt like me. It can be be a bit bouncy, but as a Pacer man, you'll be used to that ;) They make a nice bit of noise and they're certainly more interesting than I thought.

Either way, enjoy your trip to the IoW. Are you indulging in the monsterously awesome hovercrafts? I'd say they're well worth a go, and if you're coming back the same day you can get a day return on Hovertravel combined with a day's unlimited travel on Island Line trains for £15.50. An absolute bargain, and so much more fun than a convential ferry!
 

GM078

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The IofW lines are on my "to do" list, sounds like an interesting set up. Could it be that one of the reasons the industrial engines are used more often would be to save wear and tear on the 1870s built Terriers?

Those Andrew Barclay 0-6-0 tanks are great little things. The Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway have one running at the moment that they rescued only a couple of years ago from the scrapyard at Inverkeithing where a few other Barclay steam tank locos still reside. It's amazing how quickly they managed to turn it round from a completely derelict condition into a working steam loco again.

I'm intrigued, are the remaining locos in the scrapyard "preserved"? Interesting to think there are still steam locos in such places in the 2010s. Restoring a steam loco from scrap yard condition over a few years is no mean feat.
 

sprinterguy

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Bittern

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You can't make statements like Industrial tanks are just as beautiful as their main line counterparts. That's your opinion, not a fact.

I know it's my opinion. That's why I said it. If we're going to play the game of opinion vs fact, then you can't say Industrial tanks aren't "proper locos" either because in fact, they are. They were also designed to pull trains.

So, don't tell me I can't say what I did.
 

4SRKT

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I know it's my opinion. That's why I said it. If we're going to play the game of opinion vs fact, then you can't say Industrial tanks aren't "proper locos" either because in fact, they are. They were also designed to pull trains.

So, don't tell me I can't say what I did.

Nice selective quote there. You omitted the bit where I said that what I said was also my opinion and not fact. On the subject of telling you you what you can and can't say, if you're going to quote people, at least have the decency to quote all of what they said, and not edit the quote to suit yourself.

I have started a thread simply to ascertain if the IOWSR use industrial saddle tanks or not, for the quite legitimate purpose of not going there if they do. What I don't need is self-righteous kettle veg telling me that I ought to like such locos. I likes what I likes.
 

90019

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I know it's my opinion. That's why I said it. If we're going to play the game of opinion vs fact, then you can't say Industrial tanks aren't "proper locos" either because in fact, they are. They were also designed to pull trains.

So, don't tell me I can't say what I did.

Handbags at dawn?
 

Bittern

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Nice selective quote there. You omitted the bit where I said that what I said was also my opinion and not fact. On the subject of telling you you what you can and can't say, if you're going to quote people, at least have the decency to quote all of what they said, and not edit the quote to suit yourself.

I quote what I feel is relevant to the point I'm making. See? Do you honestly expect me to write "in my opinion" after each post I make when I do share my opinion on something?

I have started a thread simply to ascertain if the IOWSR use industrial saddle tanks or not, for the quite legitimate purpose of not going there if they do. What I don't need is self-righteous kettle veg telling me that I ought to like such locos. I likes what I likes.

I never told you to like any locos. I shared my opinion on the locos you mentioned. Nowhere did I say "You must like industrial tanks!". In fact, what I said was that I also didn't like them at one time, but my view changed after I travelled behind one. I said I shared your opinion on them at one point, but that changed, and not once did I say you were to change yours.

This is how forums work: Someone gives an opinion, then someone else gives their opinion. From that, a discussion spawns. Instead of a discussion however, we seem to have spawned an argument and you've resorted to insults. Very mature of you.
 

90019

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This is how forums work: Someone gives an opinion, then someone else gives their opinion. From that, a discussion spawns. Instead of a discussion however, we seem to have spawned an argument and you've resorted to insults. Very mature of you.

Please, get over yourself.
Your self righteous attitude is getting somewhat tedious.
 

Bittern

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No thanks. I fail to see how when giving my opinion on a matter, then being told not to say it is makes me the bad guy here.

I'm also not the one who resorted to insults here.
 

Techniquest

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But you're not helping the situation with the attitude you're displaying. Best thing to do would be to walk away from the debate, or at least be a man and own up to being a prat and making a big deal out of nothing.
 

Techniquest

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Well your sarcastic and up-yourself attitude with the post you made before your last one is one thing that's wrong.
 

45669

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I always feel that the IoWSR is worth visiting for the rolling stock alone regardless of what's 'up front'.

When I went there last year the motive power was an ex industrial, but a side tank, not a saddle tank. I can still remember the feeling of power from that loco.; and it made a change to be hauled by something by which I would never have been hauled in real steam days.

The Island Line is certainly worth a ride or three; full marks to South West Trains for repainting them in London Transport red.

If anyone's interested to have a look, there are some pictures on my flickr site :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/train-pix/sets/72157626453491276/

and :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/train-pix/sets/72157626737239934/
 

Crapper

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The stock list in "Railways Restored" shows that the IoW railway has 6 BR or earlier company locos to 4 industrial steam locos, as well as two ex-BR diesel shunters.
Your best bet would be to look at their website www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk a few days in advance to see what they may be running?

I took my toddler there yesterday for the bell of it. We caught the tube train to Smallbrook Junction to discover there wasn't a steam train for half an hour. There is nothing but a bus shelter there and a portaloo, and i mean nothing else, not even a way off the station. On the return we discovered that the connection was even worse, with the steam train sitting for half and hour at Haven St, and setting off for Smallbrook 5 minutes after the train back to Ryde had left, meaning a fester of an hour. We caught the next one, which gave us a 25 minute wait. Surely it would make sense to make the trains connect?

As for the railway, its superb, well restored and well maintained. The coaching stock is fantastic, but sadly our train was operated by an industrial saddle tank.
 

BestWestern

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As much as I like the IoWSR, I can understand the general disinterest towards the industrial locos. A slightly lumbering saddle tank is nowhere near as elegant as a Terrier or the classic lines of 'Calbourne' (IN MY OPINION! :roll:), and of course is not appropriate to the line at all. I don't really understand why they felt the need to ship so many non-authentic kettles over there to be honest, maybe one but surely they don't need three or four of them?!

Still, it's a nice line and well worth a trip over. Maybe even book a B&B and make a couple of days of it, the Island itself is lovely. As somebody else already suggested, for added novelty take the hovercraft over, very good fun particularly if the Solent is choppy! :D You can get the usual bus rover tickets I believe, but be warned Southern Vectis are VERY expensive!!
 

Chris125

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Please remember that the IoWSR only has 3 Island steam loco's, two being small terriers, and they are all well over a century old. Using them day-in, day-out on increasingly heavy trains isnt going to help them long-term.

Recently there's been a period of more industrial use because W11 has needed a new boiler, W8 was tired and W24 was undergoing a lengthy overhaul. The two Army loco's have therefore seen regular use, being ideal for the line and in excellent condition, and have been loaned and aquired at very little cost. The other two have sentimental attachments, Invincible being an important part of the preserved line's history albeit out of ticket, and Ajax was donated after being a long term resident by a supporter of the railway.

..however there are two Ivatt 2MT tanks in the shed at Havenstreet, one almost restored. In the years to come these will probably see similar use to the Austerities.

Chris
 
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