The formal opening of Train Story, the Isle of Wight Steam Railway’s interactive discovery centre, took place on Saturday 6 June 2015.  Train Story tells the story of railways on the Isle of Wight to both local visitors and those from further afield.

This amazing interactive museum was made possible thanks to a £1.2 million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and construction of the building commenced in September 2012.  It opened to the public in April 2014, and only four months later, Train Story welcomed its 25,000^th visitor.

During the years following the formal opening, Train Story became the home for a number of historic vehicles, including the Pollard Tram in April 2017, ‘Jess Harper’ 483007 Island Line Electric Train in May 2021, and in February 2024, the locomotive Haydock, and the restored 6-wheel Crane and Match Wagon went on display.

In April 2024, Train Story reached a new milestone by welcoming its 600,000^th visitors.  Inside Train Story, you will find displays of our Victorian and Edwardian carriages alongside a collection of our rare rolling stock, all preserved undercover and protected from the elements. However, they are not shut behind glass; visitors can step aboard many of the historic carriages and locomotives.

Visitors can follow the timeline detailing the history of steam railways through to the modern day electric line and find out why May Joyce is such an important person to the history of railways on the Isle of Wight.

Note: As Train Story was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, any mention of the anniversary of Train Story must be accompanied by the below text, and the acknowledgement stamp logo.  Please consult the NLHF Acknowledgement toolkit for further information.