Update Thursday 16th April 2020
The Isle of Wight Steam Railway remains closed to the public until further notice.
Our events up until the end of the May have been cancelled or postponed. We intend to reschedule our Volunteer Recruitment Day, Real Ale Festival, and Festival of Transport in the Autumn.
We remain hopeful that future events, including our 1940s Experience and Steam Show can operate; however these will be reviewed on an individual basis. Please see our website for the latest information.
Members should receive their copy of the Annual Report shortly; though please note that our AGM has been postponed until the Autumn. The next copy of Island Rail News is in production and should go out as planned in May.
For any customers with advanced booking your tickets can be used on any other day (except the Summer Steam Show or Santa Specials), either in 2020 or 2021. We very much hope that you’ll want to visit us at a later date. Alternatively we can arrange a full refund – please email us at: [email protected] with your booking number and a contact telephone number. One of our team will call you back to arrange a refund to your card.
We have a limited team working at the railway. If you need to contact us please do so by email to: [email protected]. We will do our best to respond promptly to you enquiry.
We’d like to thank all our members, volunteers and visitors for their ongoing support. We hope to welcome you back to the railway when it is safe to do so.
Steve Backhouse
General Manager
Update Saturday 21st March 2020
The Isle of Wight Steam Railway has suspended services for the foreseeable future. Our shop and café are also closed to the public.
The safety and wellbeing of our volunteers, staff and visitors remains our highest priority. We’d encourage everyone to stay safe and follow the Government’s advice.
Unfortunately we have also had to cancel our Volunteer Recruitment Day on 4 April and all other events up to and including our Real Ale Festival on 8-10 May. We hope that both can take place during the Autumn.
Understandably everyone at the Railway is incredibly saddened by the situation. We are immensely grateful for the messages of support that we have received, and all look forward to being able to operate trains again. We’re making plans to reopen quickly whenever the Government’s advice changes.
We will contact customers by email if you have already booked tickets. Your tickets can be used on any other day (except the Summer Steam Show or Santa Specials), either in 2020 or 2021. We very much hope that you’ll want to visit us at a later date. Alternatively we can arrange a full refund.
We will continue to monitor the situation closely. Further announcements will be made via our website and social media.
Please stay safe – we hope to see you again soon
Steve Backhouse
General Manager
Update Wednesday 18th March 2020
The safety and wellbeing of our volunteers, staff and visitors remains our top priority.
Having reviewed the latest Government advice we feel it is both necessary and sensible to suspend our train services during March. Trains will therefore not operate on 22, 26 and 29 March. We are reviewing the situation for April – please watch our website for further information.
For customers who have booked to travel during March your tickets can be used on any other day (except the Summer Steam Show or Santa Specials). We very much hope that you’ll want to visit us later in the year. Alternatively if you would like a refund, please contact us on 01983 882204.
We will continue to monitor the situation closely. Further announcements will be made via our website and social media.
This is going to be a challenging time for all heritage railways as we rely on our passengers to keep us running. Your understanding, patience and co-operation is appreciated and we thank you all in advance for your ongoing support.
We look forward to see seeing you all again soon.
Steve Backhouse
General Manager
Update Monday 16th March 2020
We are monitoring the evolving situation and following the Government’s Guidelines on Coronavirus. Updates will be issued on our website and social media if the situation changes.
The wellbeing of our volunteers, staff and visitors remains our priority. Additional handwashing facilities have been provided throughout the Railway, and we would encourage everyone to use these.
Please note that trains are currently unable to serve Wootton station while we commission our new signal box. An amended timetable will be published through our social media channels and on our website shortly.
Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to seeing you all soon.