Isle of Wight Steam Railway

The Isle of Wight Steam Railway is a working heritage line on the Isle of Wight in the United Kingdom, running original steam engines and Victorian carriages along a route through woodland and farmland. The line connects four stations and includes engine sheds and workshops where visitors can watch restoration work on old locomotives and rolling stock.

The line was originally built in the second half of the 19th century to carry passengers and goods across the island and closed to regular traffic in the 1960s. Railway enthusiasts then reopened sections of the route and gradually restored steam locomotives and carriages to working order.

The name Havenstreet comes from the former station that once served local farms and villages before the line closed in the mid-20th century. Today volunteers keep the engines running, stoking coal by hand and greeting passengers in period dress during special weekend events.

Trains run mostly on weekends and public holidays, with longer operating periods during summer months. Visitors can board at any of the four stations and ride in either direction along the line.

The line uses only narrow-gauge locomotives that once operated on other British islands and mainland branch lines. Some of the carriages were originally built for the London Underground and later converted for use on the island.

Location: Isle of Wight

Inception: 1966

Operator: Isle of Wight Steam Railway

Address: The Railway Station, Havenstreet, Isle of Wight, PO33 4DS

Website: http://iwsteamrailway.co.uk

GPS coordinates: 50.70520,-1.21462

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:30