Dr Peter Boyden of the National Army Museum hands over the Army locomotives to Isle of Wight Railway Company Chairman Steve Oates. General Manager Peter Vail is on the left.

Dr Peter Boyden of the National Army Museum was present to formally hand over the three locomotives. Also playing a leading role in the ceremony was Winston McCanna, a former head of the Army Railway Organisation and who was instrumental in the original decision to transfer WD198 and D235 to the Isle of Wight in 1992. Following the formalities 'Waggoner' and 'Royal Engineer' double headed a special train on an eleven and a half mile round trip of the line.

Winston McCanna, former head of the Army Railway Organisation, addresses the crowd.

The Isle of Wight Steam Railway's General Manager Peter Vail commented 'This is a gift of huge generosity and will positively impact on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway's future. The National Army Museum's decision reflects on the positive and professional approach of our Chief Mechanical Engineer, his team and the railway in general. This was certainly a day to remember and an opportunity for us to pass our sincere thanks on to the National Army Museum'.

Left to right: WD198 'Royal Engineer', D235 - informally known as 'Mavis' and WD192 'Waggoner' line up at Havenstreet.

WD192 and WD198 at Wootton Station following arrival of the double headed special.

Also in steam was another locomotive with military connections - Hawthorn Leslie 0-4-0ST 'Invincible', originally constructed for the Woolwich Royal Arsenal in 1915.

For more detailed information about theArmy locomotives and other members of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway's historic locomotive fleet vist the Locomotive Pages.