FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Search our frequently asked questions below, or look through specific region sections.
FACILITIES
Are parent and baby facilities available?
There’s something for everyone when you arrive for your special day out, so if you have small children don’t worry.
The train journey:
A full round trip takes approximately one hour.
What to do:
There’s an onsite children’s play area and in Train Story Discovery Centre children can dress up as a train driver or guard, climb aboard carriages and pretend to drive the train. Take a stroll along the Woodland Walk explore and enjoy some fresh air.
Baby changing:
Havenstreet: Baby Changing facilities: are available at Refreshment Rooms and the Waiting Room adjacent to the Signal Box facilities.
Smallbrook: Baby changing facilities are located in the Waiting Room facilities on the platform.
Wootton: Baby changing facilities are located in the Waiting Room facilities on the platform.
Infants under 5 years travel for free (subject to a maximum of two with each full-fare paying adults – any additional infants will be charged at children’s rate).
Are there toilets on the train?
No there aren’t toilets on the train: our carriages all have traditional compartments, and none have toilets available.
However there are toilets at Havenstreet, Wootton and Smallbrook Junction stations. The maximum time between these stations is around 20 minutes, so you shouldn’t have too long to wait between having a toilet available.
Baby changing facilities are provided at Havenstreet, Wootton Station and Smallbrook Junction. Accessible facilities are available at Havenstreet and Wootton Stations. There are no toilets at Ashey Station.
Can I eat my own food at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway?
Do you have a café at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway?
Our refreshment room at Havenstreet station serves a wide selection hot and cold meals, generally from 11am onwards.
Our T-Junction refreshment kiosk is open most days and serves hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, hot snacks and ice cream.
How long is a typical visit to the railway?
We would recommend allowing at least 3 hours for your visit, including the 1 hour train journey.
Take time to enjoy our Train Story Discovery Centre and see the free birds of prey displays (11:40 and 13:40 each day). Please give yourself time to see everything, particularly if you are booked on one of the later afternoon trains.
Is there a gift shop?
Gift & model shop
At the heart of Havenstreet Station is the Railway shop. Whether you’re young or old, holiday maker or railway enthusiast, special gifts, models, souvenirs and pocket money toys can be found on sale here.
Learn more about the history of Island railways, from a choice of books and DVDs. For the railway modeller, the shop offers an extensive range of products from leading manufacturers.
Used-book shop
Who can resist a rummage through old books? Across the line is our ever-growing used-book shop. The place to find a rare old book and a bargain, just pop your donation in the honesty box. The best part is all the money raised is vital funds going straight to the Railway.
Online shop
Our online shop is well stocked with books, DVDs, gifts and model railways.
GETTING HERE
Can you recommend any local taxi firms?
There are a number of local taxi firms:
Ryde Taxis: 01983 811111
Alpha: 01983 280280
A.S.A.P Taxis: 01983 244444
Vectis Taxis: 01983 777007
How do you get to the railway by bus?
The No 9 Southern Vectis Bus runs between Newport and Ryde (via Staplers), stops right outside Wootton station. Alight here to board the Steam Railway train.
Unfortunately there aren’t any buses to Havenstreet station.
How do you get to the railway by car?
Most visitors start at our main station at Havenstreet. Enter PO33 4DS into your Sat Nav or head for Havenstreet (just three miles from either Ryde or Newport) and follow the signs to our large, free car park.
Please allow 30 minutes to park your car and collect your tickets prior to your train journey.
The only other station with parking facilities is Wootton. There is no road access to Ashey station and no road or pedestrian access to Smallbrook Junction station.
How do you get to the railway by train?
Board Island Line services from Ryde, Brading, Sandown, Lake or Shanklin, taking you directly to Smallbrook Junction station. Here its a simple cross-platform connection to the Steam Railway.
Island Line | 0345 6000 650 | southwesternrailway.com
How do you get to the railway from Portsmouth?
By Fast Cat from Portsmouth Harbour: Cross the Solent by Fast Cat from Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde Pier Head. Upon arrival, head up the ramp into the adjacent railway station. From here its just an 8 minute journey on Island Line to Smallbrook Junction for a convenient cross-platform connection to the Steam Railway.
By Hovercraft from Southsea: Cross the Solent by Hovercraft from Southsea to Ryde. Upon arrival, cross the footbridge to the adjacent station at Ryde Esplanade. From here its just a 6 minute journey on Island Line to Smallbrook Junction for a convenient cross-platform connection to the Steam Railway.
SHOP
Can you deliver overseas?
At present our online shop does not have the facility to process overseas orders. However, if you require an item to be delivered outside of the UK please email our Shop Manager, Nick Boycott at: [email protected]
Postage for items will be charged at the current overseas courier rates.
How can I return an item?
We’re sorry if you need to return a item from our shop.
In the first instance, please contact our Shop Manager, Nick Boycott: [email protected].
TICKET INFORMATION
Do you accept PRIV cards?
Yes – staff who work in the rail industry and hold a valid Rail Staff Leisure Card can obtain reduced-price tickets. Please show your leisure card at the booking office when collecting your tickets. Adults: £4.50, Child: £2.25
Tickets can be booked online – select ‘Standard Tickets’, choose the day and time of your chosen train, then select “Standard Return RST/ATOC Priv Ticket”.
Do you offer discounts for groups?
Do you offer refunds?
- Where tickets are purchased for a specific train, we advise all visitors to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to their booked departure. No refunds are given for missed trains. We will endeavour to find seats on a later departure, but this cannot be guaranteed.
- If you are unable to travel (for example, because of illness), you must notify us in writing, by email, at least 24 hours in advance. We can either rebook you on a different date, or issue a refund minus a £7.50 administration charge.
- No refunds are available if you notify us less than 24 hours in advance.
- Refunds and alterations will be made at the discretion of The Isle of Wight Steam Railway and will be subject to an administration charge of £7.50.
How many people does a family ticket cover?
A family ticket covers 2 adults and up to 3 children (age 5 – 17 years), or 1 adult and up to 4 children.
Infants 0 – 4 years travel for free.
Is there a special rate for school visits?
What is different about First Class?
Our First Class compartments offer more space and are luxuriously furnished with carpets and antimacassars – a real taste of luxury from the golden age of travel.
If you have booked First Class tickets we guarantee that you’ll have the sole use of a compartment.
VISITOR INFORMATION
Can I bring a bike on the train?
Can I bring a dog to the railway?
Dogs are very welcome to travel on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway and travel free on all of our trains.
We ask that dogs are kept on a short lead at all times and not allowed to sit on the carriage seats.
Can I bring a pushchair on the train?
Due to limited space in our carriages, we ask that all cycles, pushchairs and buggies are transported in the guard’s van. Our friendly platform staff are always on hand to help.
Alternatively pushchairs can be left in the undercover buggy park at Havenstreet station.
Can I withdraw money at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway?
We do not have a cash point on site. However you can ask for cashback following a transaction in the gift shop.
Do I need to pre-book?
We encourage all visitors to pre-book via our website so that we can reserve a compartment on your chosen train… and you’ll save money too!
In Third Class you’ll have your own compartment if you pre-book as a group of 4 or more. Smaller groups may be allocated a compartment with up to 5 people from no more than 2 households.
First Class ticket holders will always have exclusive use of a compartment.
Tickets can also be bought on the day at the ticket office and each train has a number of unreserved compartments.
How long is the train ride?
The train journey takes around 1 hour.
Trains depart from Havenstreet station and head first to Smallbrook Junction at the eastern end of the line. Trains stop here for around 10 minutes to allow the locomotive to change ends, before heading to Wootton at the other end of the line. There is a further stop here as the loco changes ends, before the train returns to Havenstreet.
We suggest allowing at least 3 hours for your visit. As well as the train ride, make sure to visit our Train Story Discovery Centre and see the free birds of prey display.
What about visitors with additional needs or restricted mobility?
All trains include a standard-class wheelchair accessible compartments. Please book online, then call or email us with your booking number if you would like us to reserve space in these compartments. Unfortunately we don’t have any first-class seats which are wheelchair accessible. The compartment can fit up to three wheelchairs comfortably.
Alternatively a walking ramp can be used by visitors with restricted mobility to access our standard compartments.
Havenstreet and Smallbrook Junction stations generally provide good access for wheelchair users, or visitors with restricted mobility. See our website for further information about accessibility.
What is different about First Class?
Our First Class compartments offer more space and are luxuriously furnished with carpets and antimacassars – a real taste of luxury from the golden age of travel.
If you have booked First Class tickets we guarantee that you’ll have the sole use of a compartment.
What times are the trains?
Volunteering
How do I get involved?
Simply fill in the online form, let us know which areas you’re interested in working in and we’ll be in touch to move your offer of help forward.
How much time do I have to commit?
Volunteers can, by definition, commit as much time as they are able. Some choose to work several days a week, others a few days each year to suit their individual circumstances. If you have a particular role in mind then fill in the form on our volunteering pages, and we’ll be happy to discuss this when one of our Volunteering Co-ordinators contacts you.
Find out more about how to get involved.
What role do volunteers play at the Railway?
Our volunteers play a crucial role running the Railway. We have a small team of around 40 employees backed up by an incredible team of several hundred volunteers of all ages, from all backgrounds, and from all over the UK. Volunteering assists us in every aspect of our operation including gardening, ticket sales, rolling stock and building restoration, signalling, porters, guards, museum guides, and even carefully trained drivers! We simply wouldn’t exist without our volunteers, and if you’d like to get involved we’d love to welcome you on board!
See our Volunteer Opportunities page to see the roles available at the Railway.
What volunteering roles are available?
There are a huge range of opportunities at the Railway for adults of any age as well as our Calbourne Club for younger volunteers. We have opportunities ranging from booking clerks and porters, through to positions on highly-skilled engineering, restoration, or archive teams, and everything in between. We can find a fulfilling and appropriate role to suit anyone with the enthusiasm and team spirit to apply!
See our Volunteer Opportunities page for more information.
Additional NEEDS
Can I bring a guide dog to the railway?
Do you have disabled parking bays?
Yes – Havenstreet Station provides a number of disabled parking bays with easy level access to the station. See our accessibility guide for further information.
Wootton station doesn’t have any disabled parking bays. The station platform here is accessed by a steep gravel path which we generally wouldn’t recommend for those with restricted mobility.
Do you offer carer tickets?
Disabled visitors are entitled to one free carer ticket when purchasing a regular ticket. Please produce of one of the following forms of ID at the booking office when collecting carer tickets: Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Document, Disability Living Allowance Record Book, Attendance Allowance Book, Invalidity Benefit Book, Visual Impairment Registration Card (BD8).
What about visitors with additional needs or restricted mobility?
All trains include a standard-class wheelchair accessible compartments. Please book online, then call or email us with your booking number if you would like us to reserve space in these compartments. Unfortunately we don’t have any first-class seats which are wheelchair accessible. The compartment can fit up to three wheelchairs comfortably.
Alternatively a walking ramp can be used by visitors with restricted mobility to access our standard compartments.
Havenstreet and Smallbrook Junction stations generally provide good access for wheelchair users, or visitors with restricted mobility. See our website for further information about accessibility.
