The Strategic Vision

IW Steam Railway members and a large number of invited guests from the Island’s business community and other local organizations, enjoyed a day of celebration at the Railway on Saturday 6th June 2009 to mark the formal adoption of the Railway’s new Strategic Vision.

The Strategic Vision was developed over a two year period and its adoption by the Board of the Steam Railway followed considerable consultation with staff, volunteers and the whole membership of the Railway. The document, which extends to some 32 pages, sets out the aims and aspirations of the Railway over the next two decades.

A full copy of The Strategic Vision can be donloaded HERE

After 38 years of successful preservation and operation as a visitor attraction, the Railway has recognised that it could further develop its role as an educational charity, undertake many more restoration projects, and become an even greater force in Island tourism. Additionally, the development of the Strategic Vision has been driven by the fact that the Railway has outgrown many of its facilities. The document touches on most areas of the Railway’s operation and sets out aspirations in a number of areas including:

• Designating the whole railway as a museum and developing the ‘heritage’ aspects of the Railway
• Increasing the membership, increasing the support given to the management and staff, developing the volunteer resource, and supporting the ‘preservation’ of traditional steam engineering and operating skills
• Restoring numerous items of historically important rolling stock, securing other examples of former Island stock, and maintaining our nationally important collection of rolling stock and artefacts
• Securing additional land and property and acquiring historically important buildings
• Developing much-needed new buildings including an entirely new mechanical engineering workshop, a rolling stock display and interpretive facility, a new entrance building (to include booking hall, shop, and offices), and new buildings for educational, museum and commercial uses.
• Increasing the train operating capability
• Maintaining a policy of expanding the line if it becomes practicable

Speaking on June 6th to introduce the Strategic Vision, IW Steam Railway Chairman Steve Oates said, “The Strategic Vision is not a ‘business plan’ in the traditional sense. It is a long-term strategy document, setting out policies, principles and proposals to guide our thinking and decision-making over the next 20 years”.

The document also provides an insight into the likely long-term financing requirements to fulfill the Strategic Vision, while also recognising it is essential not to jeopardize all that has been achieved so far. It also highlights the need to develop new funding streams and fund-raising strategies.

Focusing on the substantial levels of funding that will be required, Chairman Steve Oates said, “When we think back, we can clearly see that our railway has already achieved a great deal and that there have been very substantial levels of investment already undertaken. If we then think forward, we can clearly see the enormous benefit to this Island in further developing the Steam Railway as a first-class tourist attraction, as a major employer, as a living museum with a unique and nationally important collection of heritage rolling stock and artefacts, and as a source of inspiration and enjoyment for generations to come. We don’t set out our plans lightly, we know we have a tough task ahead, circumstances may conspire against us, and some elements may take many years to fulfill. But our next step is to set out a funding strategy to seek grant aid, sponsorship, legacies, donations and other forms of support”.

Support for the Strategic Vision and the future aspirations of the IW Steam Railway was given by Stewart Palmer, Managing Director of South West Trains and Major General Martin White, HM Lord Lieutenant for the Isle of Wight. Speaking at Wootton Station, Stewart Palmer restated the importance of the relationship between Island Line and the Steam Railway, and indicated the benefit of strengthening the links between the two railways. The Lord Lieutenant, recalled how, as a boy living near Ashey Station, he used the trains to travel to school each day. He recognised the importance of the IW Steam Railway to the Island, and said that, having studied the Strategic Vision document, he fully supported the aims and aspirations of this important heritage railway and visitor attraction.

Work on seeking grant aid and other funding sources is underway. If you would like to assist please E-MAIL the Company Chairman, Steve Oates.

If you would like to make a donation, please click HERE