The Isle of Wight Steam Railway will be holding a Volunteers and Members Day at Havenstreet Station on Saturday 18th March 2006. The day's programme of events will feature a special train service and a 'Volunteers Meeting' chaired by recently appointed General Manager Peter Vail.

All members of the Isle of Wight Railway Company, railway staff and their families are invited to the event. Admission to Havenstreet Station and train travel is free of charge on production of a valid Isle of Wight Railway Company Membership Card or Railway Staff ID Card, members of the general public will not be admitted to the site on the day. The station will be open from approximately 10.30am with the first train departing Havenstreet at 11.00am and Smallbrook Junction at 11.20am. A second train will leave Havenstreet Station at 3.00pm and Smallbrook Junction at 3.19pm. During the day the locomotive, the identity of which has yet to be confirmed, will be giving shunting demonstrations at Havenstreet using the Railway's historic collection of goods vehicles. Guided tours of the Mechanical Engineering and Carriage and Wagon Workshops will be on offer and the shop and museum will be open.

General Manager Peter Vail will chair the 'Volunteers Meeting'.

The 'Volunteers Meeting' will take start at 12.30pm and is the working membership's opportunity to put questions on policy and progress to the Railway's management team. The meeting will be hosted by General Manager Peter Vail. Unfailingly interesting, entertaining and sometimes controversial, these meetings always attract a sizeable audience and throw up many issues of interest to the wider membership. Subjects previously discussed have included locomotive policy, finance, volunteer and staff facilities and much more besides. If any volunteer wishes to put a question to the management team then a draft should be sent in advance to Peter Vaill at Havenstreet@iwsteamrailway.co.uk so that any necessary research can be carried out before the issue is addressed at the meeting - impromptu questions will not be dealt with on the day.

Granny Winter's Pantry will be open throughout the day with hot food and refreshments available until 8.00pm. The social side is not being neglected, the bar will be open until 10.30pm and a quiz night is planned for the evening with an 8.00pm start.

This Volunteers and Members Day is an excellent opportunity for all members, staff and their families to get together, renew old acquaintances and review the railway's continuing progress. Please remember to bring your Membership or Railway ID card which will be required to gain entry to Havenstreet Station.