More pictures have arrived covering W8 'Freshwater's visit to the Bluebell Railway's 'Terrier Gala'. In addition to the pictures on these pages more can be found on the Bluebell Railway website and on one-time IWSR Cleaner Owen Chapman's Fotopic Site.

This was 'Freshwater's second visit to the Bluebell line, her first visit, accompanied by sister IWSR locomotive W11 'Newport', was in 2000 for a similar 'Terrier' gathering. The IWSR has developed a close relationship with the Bluebell Railway, resulting in the Island 'Terriers' visiting the Sussex line twice and Bluebell 'Terriers' 'Fenchurch' and 'Stepney' and LBSCR E4 'Birch Grove' making reciprocal visits to the Island.

'Freshwater', who celebrated her 130th birthday this year, will soon be making the return journey across the Solent ready to haul trains marking the 40th anniversary of the end of British Railways steam services on the Isle of Wight on 31st December 2006. For more details visit the EVENTS pages.

In this first set of pictures 'Freshwater' is paired with ex LBSCR E4 class No. 32470 - the last time these two were together she was carrying LBSCR livery and the name 'Birch Grove'.

W8 at Horsted Keynes with No.662.

Five-'Terrier' line up at Horsted Keynes (Left to right) 32678 (LBSCR name 'Knowle'), W8 'Freshwater' (LBSCR 46 'Newington'), 662 (Martello), 55 'Stepney', 672 'Fenchurch'.

IWSR General Manager Peter Vail, IWRlyCo Chairman John Suggett, Commercial Director Jim Loe and Admin Manager Di Akers with W8 at Sheffield Park.

'Freshwater' and 32678 ready to leave Horsted Keynes.

The same train after arriving at Kingscote.

32678, W8 and 55 on shed at Sheffield Park.