This line was planned to link Sandown, on the Isle of Wight Railway, with Newport. However there were problems with finance and construction at the Newport end; the line only getting to the outskirts of the town.
In 1879 the route from Sandown finally connected with the Cowes – Ryde railway at Newport on 1st June 1879, however it was in the hands of the Official Receiver by 1880 and the whole operation was handed over to the Joint Committee running the Cowes – Ryde line.
This railway closed on 16th February 1956.