Following a successful rail tour to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway in 2003 the Preserved Locomotive Enthusiasts Group, PLEG, is organising a repeat trip to the Island in order to ride behind historic diesel locomotives Class 03 D2059 and Class 05 D2554 on 6th August 2005. The cost of the charter has been set at £15 per person and, following negotiations, PLEG is pleased to announce that the IWSR have agreed that the PLEG charter ticket will be valid for all IWSR steam services on the day, with WD198 'Royal Engineer' provisionally rostered.

Class 03 D2059 heads a passenger service during 2003.

The charter will commence at around lunchtime and finish mid-afternoon thus allowing participants from the all around the UK ample time to travel to/from the island. The provisional arrangements for the charter are: Depart Havenstreet for Smallbrook at 12.10 hauled by the Class 03, Depart Smallbrook at 12.28, pass Havenstreet at 12.39 and run straight through to Wootton, arriving back at Havenstreet at 12.56. Brake van rides will then take place, using the Class 05, from the down loop into the carriage headshunt. Depart Havenstreet for Smallbrook at 14.50, thence another non-stop run to Wootton with the final arrival at Havenstreet at 15.36. Participants can join or leave the train at either Havenstreet or Smallbrook Junction as convenient, and may even find time to ride on the island’s Ryde to Shanklin system using ex London Transport 1938 stock tube cars.

Class 05 D2554 at Havenstreet.

PLEG is the sole booking agent for this not-to-be-missed charter event. All monies raised will go directly to the railway. If you are interested in participating then send an email to brillo40040@hotmail.co.uk to register your interest, this will also give PLEG a rough estimate of numbers. Please send cheques (made payable to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway) and contact details to: The Isle of Wight Steam Railway Shuntabout 61 Tyersal Park Tyersal Bradford 4 West Yorkshire BD4 8EY.

For more details of this event and other PLEG charter events visti their website www.pleg.org.uk

For full details of the IWSR's fleet of historic steam and diesel locomotives click here

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