Isle of Wight Steam Railway Operating Manager Ron Lee has just completed the full analysis of the rostered turns for the 2007 season - and very interesting reading they make. In total 6,051 rostered duties were covered during the season. This compares to 5,886 for 2006. There were 205 Duty Officer or Duty Officer/Signalman turns, 244 Guard duties, 132 Signalman duties, 166 Forman duties, 327 Booking Office duties and a massive 538 Porter duties. From the Guard's journal we operated on 193 days, there were 1,0451/2 round trips and we recorded 93,649 passenger journeys - up from 92,905 in 2006. (100,000 here we come!).

Havnestreet Signalman Nick Boycott in the box.

There were many highlights during the year including 'A Day out with Thomas', '1940s' weekend, 'Santa Specials' but undoubtedly the railway always comes together for a most enjoyable 'Steam Show'. During the 'Steam Show' this year we recorded 6085 passenger journeys over the four days with our two-train service. Wasn't it great to see two authentic carriage sets out, one Victorian, the other Edwardian? What other railway can come close?

W8 'Freshwater' leads the LCDR 'Ventnor West' Push-Pull set away from Havenstreet.

Next year will be just as demanding and your input and enthusiasm will be much appreciated. Our aim is, as always, to run a safe, reliable and professional railway thus giving our visitors the very best that a Heritage Railway can offer. We are very much a living museum of Island Railway History and you are all part of it. So a big 'thank you' to you all for your hard work and commitment during the season. We start again on Thursday 20 March.

Station Foreman David Forrester and Porter Adam Everett during the October 2007 'Big Day Out'.