Welcome to Team Admin
You can use this page to access the latest IWSR Newsletter, sign up for trips and events, renew your Staff Card, and find out about other opportunities and training available to our volunteers.
At present we’re still putting together all the things you’ll eventually be able to use this page for, but for now you can renew your Staff Card, or sign up for the latest trips and activities using the forms and links below.
Renew your staff card
IWSR VOLUNTEER TRIPS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteer & staff discount on ps waverley
Wednesdays 3rd & 10th September departing from Yarmouth Pier
We are thrilled to be able to offer all Volunteers, Staff, and their family members a discount on PS Waverley again this year. Take in sublime views of the Island’s coastline and experience sailing on the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer. Make sure you take the opportunity to view the impressive engines, visit the souvenir shop, and sample the food and drink from the onboard restaurant and bars.
The discount applies to an evening cruise on 3rd September, departing from Yarmouth Pier at 1710 and for the first time we are also able to offer a discount on a Round the Island cruise on September 10th departing Yarmouth Pier at 1145.
EVENING CRUISE – NEEDLES LIGHTHOUSE AND HURST CASTLE
Wednesday 3rd September
Departs Yarmouth 1710, returns 2030. Usual rate: Adults £47 Seniors £47 Children aged 5-16 £23.50
DISCOUNTED RATE: Adults £30, Children £1
CLICK HERE TO BUY DISCOUNTED EVENING CRUISE TICKETS
ROUND THE ISLAND CRUISE
Wednesday 10th September
Departs Yarmouth 1145, returns 1615. Usual rate: Adults £57 Seniors £53 Children aged 5-16 £28.50
DISCOUNTED RATE £40
WIN A SOUTHERN VECTIS BREEZER TOUR
June or July
Thanks to our friends at Southern Vectis we are pleased to be able to offer volunteers the chance to win a family ticket for their Breezer Bus tours. This ticket will be valid for up to 5 people for a 48 hour period over any dates in June, or July. Winners can use any Southern Vectis service in their chosen 48 hour period, including all of the Breezer bus tours.
The award winning Needles Breezer is one of the most spectacular bus rides in all of England, an open-top ride with views that will simply take your breath away, with buses running up to every 30 minutes. Enjoy a cliff-hugging, dizzy climb from Alum Bay right up to the Needles Battery, high up where the vistas out to sea are intoxicating. The route also links Yarmouth to Freshwater Bay, Dimbola Museum and Galleries, Farringford Estate, Fort Victoria Country Park, as well as historic places of interest and areas of outstanding beauty.
There is also a brand new Sea Breezer this year from Ryde to Seaview. As well as the popular Downs Breezer, Island Coaster, Shanklin Shuttle and Summer Links there is a route for everyone.
Winners will need to download the Southern Vectis app (if you don’t already have it) to their smartphone or tablet, register and then let us know the email address. The tickets will be gifted to the winner’s app account for use on a date of their choosing.
CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE DRAW
Download the Southern Vectis App ~ GOOGLE PLAY STORE ~ APPLE APP STORE
REGISTER INTEREST FOR THE 2025 PLAY DAY TRAIN CREW EXPERIENCE
Registration open until Friday 30th May
Play Day returns this year in a new format, offering all volunteers the chance to register for a new Train Crew Experience. This is a fantastic opportunity to fulfil those childhood dreams of getting on the footplate and experiencing firing a locomotive first-hand, as well as learning more about the vital role played by our team of train guards.
Volunteers who want to take part in this experience should register using the link below, and experiences will take place on a number of days through the running season. You will be contacted directly in order of application as and when an opportunity becomes available, and any volunteers beyond capacity this year will be automatically added to the 2026 list – we expect this to be a very popular activity!
Previous Event Ticket Draws & Winners
2025
Legend Live (The Bob Marley Experience), Jack Up Events @ Shanklin Theatre – Stephen Procter (Locomotive Engineering)
Wolverton Folk & Blues – Chris Brown (Locomotive Engineering)
Jack Up the 60s with The Zoots, Jack Up Events @ Shanklin Theatre – Graeme Farrar (Loco Operating)
A Night of 1000 Freddies, Jack Up Events @ Shanklin Theatre – Malcolm Hector (Operating/Events)
50 Glorious Years as Brian: Charles Collingwood, Jack Up Events @ Shanklin Theatre – Bob Cole (Operating), Carole Barry (Events), Suzanne Allen (Operating), and Tony Butt (Train Story)
2024
Wolverton Folk & Blues Fair – Roger Colman (Estates)
Beaulieu – Jenny Dimmock (Retail)
Isle of Wight Festival – John Haddon (Estates)
High Sheriff’s Reception – Edouina Kearney (Admin) & Suzanne Allen (Operating)
Jack Up Events ABBA Chique Party – Alan Doe (Operating/Rail Infrastructure)
Royal Isle of Wight County Show – Mike Salter (Loco Operating)
Ventnor Fringe, Back to Black: The Music of Amy Winehouse – Dave Smith (Rail Infrastructure)
Ventnor Fringe, Revel Puck Circus: The Nosedive Assembly – Paul Robinson (Operating/Events/Bar Staff)
Chale Show – Sue Sedley (Operating; Booking Clerks)
Jack Up Events Summer Party – Ken Beamish (Carriage & Wagon)
Wight Proms Festival – John Blair (Train Story)
Buckler’s Hard Museum – Ian Hammond (Train Story)
Chale Show – Fiona Haddon (Estates)
OTHER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES & BENEFITS
20% off Ferry Travel with Wightlink
The Steam Railway is extremely grateful to our partners Wightlink, who offer all volunteers a 20% discount on cross-Solent travel.
Save 20% on foot, car, and motorcycle ferry fares. Discounted tickets can only be booked through this page – click the Wightlink logo to book!
20% off ferry travel with Wightlink terms and conditions
- This offer can only be booked online.
- Offer is valid on foot, car, and motorcycle products.
- The 20% Discount will appear at Stage 3 (Journey Extras) of the booking process.
- You MUST enter your Staff ID Number (found on your Staff Card beginning STA) in the reference field box to complete the booking (at Stage 4). You may need to show your card at check-in – please make sure your card has not expired. You can request a replacement using the form above if required.
- We reserve the right to modify or cancel the offers at any time.
- Tesco Clubcard Reward Partner Codes will not be accepted as part or full payment of tickets.
- Discounts apply to new bookings only; no refunds will be given in retrospect.
- Wightlink General Conditions for provision of Ferry Services apply and can be found www.wightlink.co.uk/terms.
75% off cross-Solent Travel with Hovertravel
The Steam Railway is extremely grateful to our partners Hovertravel, who offer all volunteers a 75% discount on cross-Solent travel via the discount code AVAILABLE HERE on HOPS – flights must be booked online and the code entered in the Promo Code field during the booking. A valid Staff Card must be shown on check in to confirm eligibility.
Terms & Conditions
This discount is available online only using the promo code above at the checkout.
• Not available in the terminal or over the phone.
• Discount available on standard adult, senior, student and child single, day and period returns only.
• Discount not valid on Family tickets.
• Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers, discounts or combos.
• Valid for one member and up to 4 companions (must travel together on same ticket).
• Promo code must not be shared, other than those it is intended for use.
• Staff ID must be shown at the boarding gate or extra charges may apply.
• This offer is valid for bookings and travel until 31/12/2025.
• Standard Hovertravel booking Terms & Conditions apply.
• Hovertravel reserve the right to withdrawn if not used in accordance to the terms and conditions as stated above.
Heritage Railway Association Privilege Card 2025
The HRA Privilege Card is for the exclusive use of working volunteers who currently work on UK heritage railways. It is valid for twelve months (March-February), and allows the pass holder plus one accompanying person to travel on most heritage railways in the UK at either a reduced fare or in most cases free of charge. The accompanying person does not need to be a railway volunteer.
I am pleased to confirm that the cost of the pass for 2025/26 will be £42, so it only takes two or three visits to cover the cost!
You are now able purchase your card online. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
If you are unable to purchase your card online then you can still pay for your HRA Privilege Card by cash, credit card, or cheque (made payable to the ISLE OF WIGHT RAILWAY CO. LTD). Please contact Liz King Sales & Marketing Assistant to arrange this.
Please note that HRA Privilege Cards may not be purchased by, or for, family members or other persons who are not working volunteers.
A list of the participating railways (with their conditions if any), is available on the HRA website and will be sent to you with your pass. Please bear in mind that some heritage railways may not give free travel during their special events, so it is a good idea to check with your chosen railway before visiting! It is hoped that when visiting other railways you will support them by spending in their cafeteria and/or shop!
The Heritage Railway Association (HRA) is our “umbrella” or “trade” organisation, which supports and advises member railways. The £42 charge for the Privilege Card goes towards the costs of running the organisation, and helps keep our annual subscription to the HRA as low as possible.
Free PSA Testing for Men over 40
The PSA Test is a blood test which can detect the early signs of prostate cancer. The test measures the level of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) in your blood. PSA is made by the prostate gland. Some of it will leak into your blood, and the amount depends on your age and the health of your prostate.
A raised PSA level in your blood may show that you have a problem with your prostate. However, this may not be prostate cancer, other conditions can also cause a raised PSA level. All men over 40 are able to visit one of the PSA testing sessions run by the Isle of Wight Prostate Cancer Support Group, as long as they have made an informed choice based on the benefits, limitations and risks of having the test.
You can find out more at the Isle of Wight Prostate Cancer Support Group website, where you can also BOOK A TEST.
VOLUNTEER & STAFF CLOTHING
Volunteers and Staff can now request replacement IWSR Branded Showerproof Jackets or Polo Shirts by contacting their line manager who will then order the necessary items from the Office.
