A trip along the line 2

Despite the small size of the village of Ashey it's station was surprisingly grand. The station house and remains of the original platform can be seen to the right of the line. This platform was abandoned by British Railways due to excessive subsidence and a replacement with a basic, brick-built, shelter constructed on firmer ground. This is the platform used by Isle of Wight Steam Railway trains today.

WD198 coasts towards Ashey Station.

Trains call by request at Ashey Station, it's rural location making it an ideal location for a family picnic and offers excellent opportunities to photograph the passing trains. As the train pulls away from the station the fields that can be seen to the left were once the location of Ashey Racecourse. The horse racing tradition is continued to this day with the staging of the Ashey Scurry and Isle of Wight Grand National each March. A special train service is provided by the railway on what is this normally peaceful rural station's busiest day of the year.

Ashey Station.

As the train passes Ashey Station Crossing a glance to the left will reveal the course of the long abandoned quarry siding, a low embankment can be seen passing through a small copse then the curving hedgerow guides the eye along the alignment to the chalk scar of the former quarry high up on the downs. The train continues its descent towards Havenstreet through open fields with superb views of the distant downs.

'Birch Grove' leaves Ashey Station, the old station house is on the left.

W38 'Ajax' leads WD192 'Waggoner through Ashey.

The train rolls across Ashey Grounds foot crossing just before entering Rowlands Woods. The Havenstreet Down Distant signal is seen and we pass under Rowlands Lane Bridge, two blasts on the engine's hooter alerting the Havenstreet signalman to the approach of a Down train.

'Royal Engineer' approaches Rowlands Lane.

On a steeply falling gradient the Havenstreet Down Outer Home signal is passed, the train slowing, heading on towards the Home signals. These are mounted on a bracket post once located at Sandown Station.

W24 'Calbourne' passes the Havenstreet Outer Home signal.

W8 'Freshwater' drifts towards Havenstreet at the head of a ballast train.

To continue your journey to Havenstreet Station click HERE.