Читать книгу Railway Day Trips: 160 classic train journeys around Britain - Julian Holland - Страница 32

Despite its short length, this trip includes a journey in a catamaran ferry across the Solent, a short ride in an old London Underground train and a trip along a steam railway. Wight Link catamarans for Ryde depart from Portsmouth Harbour close to the national rail network station of the same name. Journey time across the Solent is 22 minutes and on arrival at Ryde Pier Head passengers transfer to an Island Line train on the electrified line to Shanklin. The line was electrified on the third-rail principle and opened in March 1967, replacing former Southern Railway Class ‘02’ 0-4-4Ts and vintage rolling stock. The trains in use today were introduced in 1938 for use on the London Underground and are the oldest type in Britain to remain in regular service.

En route from Ryde Pier Head, trains call at Ryde Esplanade and Ryde St Johns Road – where Island Line trains have their depot – before arriving at Smallbrook Junction station. With no public access, this station was opened in 1991 to provide an interchange between the Island Line and the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. Passengers transfer to the latter for a trip to the railway’s headquarters at Havenstreet. Steam trains call at Ashey and Havenstreet before continuing on to Wootton, and it is recommended that passengers stay on the train to Wootton before returning to Havenstreet to enjoy this delightful location.

DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS

Award-winning Victorian steam railway; railway museum; carriage and wagon workshop; children’s play area; woodland walk; Haven Falconry

FREQUENCY

Wight Link Catamaran: 2 per hour (Mon-Sat) 1 per hour (Sun) Island Line: 1 per hour Isle of Wight Steam Railway: 5-9 per day (Mar-Oct)

10 MILES 22 + 8 + 35 MINUTES

NUMBER OF CHANGES: 2

(Ryde Pier Head; Smallbrook Junction)

Restored Southern Railway Class ‘02’ 0-4-4T No. W24 ‘Calbourne’ heads a vintage train on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.