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Ryde Pier

Ryde Pier had, for many years, two railways. First was a horse drawn tramway, later converted to steam, electric then in 1927 to petrol operation before finally to diesel in 1958/9. It was condemned in 1968 and closed on 26th January 1969. Opening in 1880 was the LBSCR and LSWR jointly constructed railway down the pier which connected with the Isle of Wight Railway (later merged into the Isle of Wight Central Railway) at Ryde Esplanade. Following the end of British Railways' main line steam the Ryde Pier sectio was, together with the remaining Island line to Shankli, electified for use by ex-LPTB tube train stock.

 

Pierhead

As one train arrives another is ready to depart. The view looking back towards the station..

photograph by Ron Hersey

 

Pierhead

The scissors crossover outside the station, partly obscured through beong photographed from an arriving train..

photograph by Ron Hersey

 

Freshwater

A good view of the track layout by the buffer stops withNºW35 Freshwater.

photograph: Mike Morant collection

 

Pier

An unidentified O2 Class heads a typical 6 coach IoW train on the start of its journey from Ryde Pier Head. The tracks in front are of the tramway, previously petrol powered but converted to diesel to cut costs.

photograph by Keith Harwood

 

Ryde works

O2 ClassNºW24 Calbourne (minus nameplates) taken in the summer of 1965 entering Ryde Pier Head station with a single vehicle works train.

photograph by Mike Morant

 

Ryde

Oh dear!Nº22 Brading has come to grief on Ryde Pier. The second axle of the bogie was derailed on 19th July 1965.

photograph by Mike Morant

 

Tram

Adjacent to the railway lines along the pier were the tracks for a tramway that ferried people from one end of the pier to the other. Originally a horse-drawn affair, it was converted to third rail electric operation (therefore pre-empting the Island Line by some 80 years) between 1886 and 1927.

photographer: unknown

 

Ryde Pier Tram

After 1927 the tramway was operated by petrol engined railcars until 1959, when diesel powered Drewry railcars (with a remarkable resemblence to the Wickham trollies) took over. The tramway closed in 1969 though the track supports are still in situ and "look" to be in remarkably good condition! One of these cars was rescued, stored out-of-use for many years, but is now being restored into glorious Maunsell-era Southern Railway livery at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.

photograph by Keith Harwood

 

This page was last updated 16 May 2009

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