IW RAILWAYS

The Island’s first railway line opened in 1862 and ran from Cowes to Newport. Over the next few decades more lines were established and an extensive steam railway system served all points of the Island until the late fifties when lines started to close.
By the mid sixties there were only two lines left in operation, both closing in 1966. They are gone but not forgotten as many amateur film-makers, who were also enthusiastic train spotters, captured on cine. in colour, a detailed record of railway activity.
This DVD features some of this footage including Newport to Cowes in 1963, Ryde to Shanklin in 1966 and Shanklin to Ventnor in 1965. Also included is a brief history of Island Railways and the IWSR at Haven Street.