On Thursday 5th September 2019 we are continuing our transport theme for our summer events i.e.2017 Canal, 2018 Sea/Harbour and now, in 2019, a Steam Railway!
A magnificent day out for all
This year’s Old Cicestrians summer outing has an overseas feel to it as we will be visiting the Isle of Wight Steam Railway which runs from Smallbrook Junction, where it connects with Island Line services, to Wootton via the railway’s HQ station at Haven Street. It is open to all Old Cicestrians their spouses, partners and guests.
We have secured a block booking with the Isle of Wight Steam Railway which includes the round trip from Smallbrook Junction to Wootton and back in reserved compartments, lunch in the restaurant at Haven Street station and visits to the workshops and museums. The cost is £19 per head.
‘O2’ Class 0-4-4t no.w24 ‘Calbourne’
Cheaper in the Old Days
The Isle of Wight Steam Railway received the ‘Outstanding Visitor Attraction’ accolade for large groups at the Heritage Railway Association annual awards evening held on Saturday 9th February at the Macdonald Burlington Hotel in Birmingham amid tough competition from around the country. Also nominated in the same category were the Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway and the Talyllyn Railway. Please visit – www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk
You will need to make your own travel arrangements to Smallbrook Junction but we will assemble at Portsmouth Harbour station, Wightlink Terminal, in time for the 1115 Fastcat ferry to Ryde Pier Head.
Itinerary
11.15 dep. Portsmouth Harbour on Fastcat ferry
11.37 arr. Ryde Pier Head
11.49 dep. Ryde Pier Head on Island Line train for Smallbrook Jct
11.58 arr. Smallbrook Jct.
12.17 dep. Smallbrook Jct on IoWSR train for Wootton, staying on the train to return to Haven Street
12.54 arr. Haven Street
13.15 Lunch in the restaurant after which you are free to visit Train Story, a large covered exhibition of Isle of Wight locomotives and stock, the museum, workshops and the shop and, perhaps, take afternoon tea before leaving.
16.08 dep. Haven Street for Smallbrook Jct (reserved compartments)
16.19 arr. Smallbrook Jct
16.33 dep Smallbrook Jct by Island Line train
16.42 arr. Ryde Pier Head
16.47 dep. Ryde Pier Head by Fastcat Ferry
17.09 arr. Ryde Pier Head
Getting to Smallbrook Junction
By train. If you are travelling via Southern, you will find that they cannot issue one ticket through to Smallbrook Junction. Instead, you will need to buy two separate tickets: one to Ryde Pier Head and then another from Ryde Pier Head to Smallbrook Junction. You can but these either online or at the ticket office. South Western Railway will sell a combined ferry/Island Line ticket to cover this which you can either book in advance online or buy at the SWR booking office at Portsmouth Harbour.
If coming from beyond London use South Western Railway from Waterloo, they do offer a through booking including the ferry.
By car Drive to Portsmouth Harbour station and book your ticket to Smallbrook Jct via South Western Railway either in advance online or at the SWR (not the Wightlink) ticket office, and make your way down the platform to the Wightlink Terminal.
Please use the attached form to book your place(s) and give your menu choices by 27 August 2019
https://www.oldcicestrians.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/IoWSR-trip-booking-form-REVISED.pdf