In the 2nd of our series on Isle of Wight railways, we look at the hamlet of Ashey that has played a significant role in the development of the Island railway network.
Did you know that Ashey once boasted of 2 railway stations, a branch line and a tunnel?
But why would this rural spot need a station (let alone 2) given that hardly anyone lives there? The answer is that George Young – a wealthy Scotsman – had bought West Ashey Farm close to the railway, and the station appears to have been mainly for his personal convenience.
Young – who was a director of the Isle of Wight Central Railway and financed the building of the Island railway network – had plans to build housing developments at Ashey, and a railway station was a prerequisite for potential buyers to move to this out-of-the-way location.
The Scotsman also owned the chalk quarry on the other side of Ashey Road, below the sea mark. As well as having a significantly sized station located near his farm, he also had a branch line built, leading from the station to the quarry.
Much of the chalk used to construct the Island railways originates from this quarry. Chalk could be delivered from there to any Island station for the princely sum of 1/6d (7.5p) per ton.
For the branch line to reach the quarry, Young had a short tunnel built under Ashey Road – and it’s still there today.
The 1st train stopped at Ashey on 20th December 1875. The journey from Newport took just 16 minutes, a considerable saving in time in the days before motor cars.
The station was originally served by 7 trains a day. However, unsurprisingly, the isolated station at Ashey saw little traffic.
By the 1880s, George Young had gotten into financial difficulties. In the early 1880s, he agreed to lease his land to hold horse races on his farm. The racecourse was opened in 1882, and the 1st race was held in 1883.
The races brought a new lease of life to Ashey and its railways. A further station was built on the branch line to the quarry – Ashey Racecourse – which was believed to have been behind the grandstand.
Upwards of 3,000 people would travel to the races at Ashey at the turn of the 20th century, mostly by train. The 1st class fare was 1/4d (7p). The carriages would be left in a siding, and spectators would climb on the roofs to get a better view. 3 champion jockeys were said to have participated in the meetings, and bookies came to Ashey from as far away as London.
In 1929, the racecourse grandstand was gutted in a fire. Racing continued until 9th June 1930. In 1931, the lease of the course was surrendered and, in 1942, the remains of the grandstand were demolished.
As for Ashey station itself, in 1926, the station was extended to accommodate longer trains. However, in 1953, the station was downgraded to a permanent halt. In 1961, a small shelter was built.
Ashey station was closed on 21st January 1966. Fortunately, this was a case of au revoir rather than goodbye.
On 21st July 1991, the clock was rewound and Ashey station was reopened under the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. Just a year later, in 1992, Isle of Wight Scurry races resumed. It is once again possible to take a steam train to the horse racing – but not to Ashey Racecourse station, which no longer exists.
Sadly, no trace of the branch line to the quarry remains. The tunnel has been filled in, although its outline can still be seen under Ashey Road. The former station building has been sold and is now a private house.
Anyone wanting to visit Ashey station can find it at the end of Station Road, which can be reached via Gatehouse Road/Deacons Lane. Or you can take the steam railway from Smallbrook or Wootton. A footpath from Ashey station follows the route of the former branch line to the quarry if you want to find the location of the former tunnel.
In our next edition of Isle of Wight Railways, we shall be looking at the town of Ventnor, which – like Ashey – had 2 railway stations.
A historic Island story without a grizzly death for a change, thx. Sounds like a fun time in Ashey in those days.
Intresting stuff ie,
Back in the day, no.26 Ashey road (the old shop) used to be a pub, called
‘The Swanmore Inn ‘
Love these local history tales
It amazes me that the station remained in use until 1966 when Wooton on the same line lost its station in 1953?
Wooton lost its station so early because of land movement in the deep cutting on the Newort side of the road bridge. The station building was actually in one of the arches of the road overbridge. When the Wight Locomotive Society transferred their stock from Newport to Havestreet, the track in the old station site was so deformed they were coincerned their stock wouldn’t negociate the tight curve the track deformation had produced. Ashey station platform wass originally on the north side of the tyrack where the station building which is now a house is. Again land movement distorted the platform and it was cheaper to swing the line over to the south side of the formation than try to stabilise the original platform hence the short platform.
We used the north platform until the one on the south side was constructed in approximately 1962
British rail couldn’t close a station that wasn’t serve by alternative public transport (although it could close an entire lien). Wootton- and Whippingham- were served by the 1/ 1A/ 1B Southern Vectis bus service. Ashey was nowhere near a bus route. So, it had to stay open, albeit as an unmanned hault.
And the interesting thing is if these lines were still operational the Island would be a much better place to live and visit, as many places on the mainland would be. Steam railways are a big draw for people wanting to recall more pleasant times in our history of life on this planet.
If you look closely you casn still see the line of the track by a slightly raised londitudinal mound. You canalso faintly see traces in the abouve picture of what used to be Ashey Racecourse staionIt used to follow thw hedge with the hedge on the left as ion this picture. They would stop a train in the racecourse station and passengers would either sit inside or on the carriage roof to get a better view. Health and safety would have had a fit. there is a picture somewhere showing a train there with people on the roof.
Does anyone else see the irony! Back in the day 7 trains a day, 2023 you’d be surprised to see one operational!
Actually, you would. Take a trip on the IW Steam Railway from Havenstreet (or from the ends if you don’t have your own transport) and see 5 steam trains a day (or 10 if you include the return trains..)
From 1946 I lived at Ashey Waterworks and we used to catch the Train from Ashey Station to Ryde because mother had three boys and a pram we used to have to travel in the Gaurds Van, the station master was Mr Bowditch, in the fiftys we use to play in the chalk pits and Tunnel which you cauld access from both sides of the road the Ashey Down was part of East Ashey farm which was owned by Bert Warne and laterally his son Brian. In 1961 I started my Apprenticeship I was 14 at Frank Chevertons Tractor shop forest Road and used to catch the Train from Ashey Station to Newport.
Just need o point out that Station Road is a Private road and is not to be used by vehicles to access the railway. It is an unmade road and has to be maintained by those who live there. However, the station can be accessed by a ride on the Havenstreet Railway!
Really good article – but it needs to be said that you can see Ashey from the trains that run from Havenstreet (Isle of Wight Steam Railway). Unfortunately you cannnot get off the train there as it is private property. I look forward to ready the next one…