Ryde barman Jack Singleton – together with his partner Eleanor – has been videoing all the former Isle of Wight railway lines.
To date, Jack and Eleanor have covered Ryde to Ventnor, Ryde to Newport and Newport to Cowes. Their next video will take them from Brading to Bembridge.
The results can be seen on the Wight Wanderer YouTube channel. The channel currently has 602 subscribers.
32-year-old Jack claims to have always been interested in railways. He has counted 40 past and present stations on the Island in total, of which he has visited half – so far.
Many former stations have also been described in Island Echo articles in the Isle of Wight Railways series. For example, Ningwood Station. Due to the popularity of the Isle of Wight Railways articles, further editions will be published in Island Echo at a future date.
Many of the previous railway lines are now either farmland or housing. However, a great deal are classified as public footpaths. It is perfectly possible to walk (or cycle) most of the way from Cowes to Sandown on former railway lines. Other disused sections of railway lines open to the public include Freshwater to Yarmouth and Brading to St Helens.
Jack scouts the terrain in advance before he shoots his videos. He also asks for permission to film and claims never to have trespassed on private land.
Some owners of former railway infrastructure have been helpful. For example, the owner of the former station at Whippingham allowed Jack to film inside his house.
Jack says:
“What we’ve learnt about the former railways is surprising, especially through studying the old Ordinance Survey maps. The amount that Brading & Bembridge harbour has changed since the construction of the railway, for example, is incredible: a topic we’ll talk about in the upcoming episode.
“What’s equally surprising, I guess – although at the same time not – is how many lines there were, and how little of it remains.
“The Isle of Wight steam railway is – without a doubt – the most beautiful part of the former railway system, especially this time of year. The beauty of the line and the way its heritage is maintained and replicated is superb.
“I don’t think there’s any kind of walk I wouldn’t recommend unless it’s somewhat overly dangerous. I think there’s something quite simple yet significant about being able to see a place – town or hill – in the distance and finding the best way to get there. After all, that’s the way the railways we’re built.
“It is probably a good metaphor for life as well.”
Jack is also making further video series about Isle of Wight viewpoints and shipwrecks.
We have viewed the first two and amazed how two young people can present such an interest program. Think the Jewel of the Sun series should have taken a note or two from these two Islanders