107 Walkers on Brading to Bembridge Branchline!

The Brading to Bembridge walk on Tuesday 17th May, one of the series of walks of former Island railway lines organised as part of the IW Steam Railway's 40th Anniversary activities, proved extremely popular with 107 walkers taking part.

Oreganised in conjunction with The IW Ramblers, the walk also formed part of the IW Walking Festival and of the 107 walkers taking part 54 were visitors to the Festival, including walkers from Germany and America. The walk was led by the IW Steam Railway's Operating Manager Alan Doe, whose significant knowledge of the former line stems from his Phd thesis on the Bembridge Branch.

Throughout the walk former Railway relics were pointed out, including lineside posts, bridges, what was Brading harbour, a remaining railway shed wall at St Helen's, and gateposts to Bembridge Station. Some specific areas were also described in detail, such as the building of the embankment so creating the harbour and reclaiming land from the sea, the industrial quayside activities at St Helen's, and the former Royal Spithead Hotel at Bembridge.

The Brading to Bembridge branch closed on 21st September 1953, when the Civil Engineer of the day demanded significant investment to the track. The money was not there and the line closed - long before the Beeching cuts!

The next two walks of former lines will be in June:

Wednesday 1st June - Newport to Sandown
Thursday 16th June - Newport to Cowes

Please see the Special Event pages for further details.