Isle of Wight Steam Railway

The Wight Locomotive Society was formed in 1966 with the aim of preserving the Isle of Wight's remarkable collection of Victorian and Edwardian locomotives, which were facing scrapping with the closure of the island's railways. The Society acquired Havenstreet station, which became the headquarters, and reopened a short section in 1971.

Progressive extensions added the line eastward to Ashey (1991) and to Smallbrook Junction (1991), where the cross-platform interchange with the Network Rail Island Line was developed. A western extension to Wootton was opened in 1986 (replacing the original Havenstreet–Wootton section that had been impossible to retain at the original site). The headquarters has expanded with a substantial visitor centre, museum, and engine shed.

The Isle of Wight Railway was opened in 1864 from Ryde to Shanklin (and later to Ventnor in 1866). A connected company, the Isle of Wight Central Railway, ran the cross-island line through Newport, Sandown, and Cowes. The whole island network passed to the Southern Railway in 1923 and to British Railways in 1948. Passenger services were withdrawn from most of the island system in 1966; only the Ryde–Shanklin section was retained, electrified using ex-London Underground tube stock.

Havenstreet is the headquarters, with locomotive shed, carriage shed, museum, restaurant, and play area. Wootton is the western terminus. Ashey is a small intermediate request stop. Smallbrook Junction is the eastern terminus, with cross-platform interchange to the Island Line.

Major events include "Steam Show" gala weekends, vintage vehicle days, 1940s weekends, beer festivals, and a substantial Christmas programme. Through-ticketing with the Island Line and ferries from the mainland is available.

The most direct way to reach the railway from the mainland is via the Wightlink fast catamaran from Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde Pier, then Island Line to Smallbrook Junction with cross-platform interchange to the heritage line.