The Beeching Report proposed the closure of all the remaining lines on the island. Despite a spirited campaign, the line from Ryde to Cowes closed in February 1966, followed in

British Railways wasted no time in closing the loss-making lines to Ventnor West (1952), Bembridge (1953), Freshwater (1953) and between Newport and Sandown (1955). The lines from Ryde to Cowes

Following the Second World War in 1945, the railways generally were in a run down state. Heavy war traffic, lack of investment and manpower all taking their toll. As part

Britain’s numerous independent railways were grouped into four main companies on 1st January 1923. This was a Government measure in the early post First World War period to make the

The final railway on the island to be constructed ran from Merstone to Ventnor West. It reached St Lawrence on 20th July 1897 and Ventnor in 1900 on a rock

This lengthy railway opened to passengers on 11 July 1889 to serve the sparsely populated West Wight. The line was mainly a speculative venture in the hope that new ferry

The amalgamation of the Cowes & Newport, Ryde & Newport and the I.W. (Newport Junction) Railways was a logical conclusion and took place in 1887.

The short 2¾ mile branch from Brading to Bembridge was opened on 27th May 1882. It came about as a direct result of plans to reclaim Brading marshes, the railway

Dismayed at the treatment and inconvenience to its passengers once on the Island, the mainland railway companies who ran the ferry service built a new pier and railway to replace