The Isle of Wight Steam Railway has announced the appointment of Tony Barry as the new Chairman of its Board of Trustees, alongside Isaac Farnbank as the newly appointed Deputy Chairman.
Together, they will lead one of the Island’s leading heritage attractions, which welcomes over 100,000 visitors annually.
Tony Barry brings a lifetime of dedication to the Railway, having first volunteered as a teenager. Over the decades, he has contributed to numerous operational areas, ultimately achieving his lifelong ambition of becoming a steam locomotive driver.
Professionally, Tony served globally in the British Army, gaining extensive expertise in personnel, training, and logistics management. He joined the Board of Trustees in 2018 and currently serves as both Chairman and the Railway’s Safety Director.
A resident of Havenstreet, Tony also serves the local community as the Isle of Wight Councillor for Newchurch, Havenstreet, and Ashey. He said:
“The Steam Railway is a fantastic place; it tells the story of how railways transformed life on the Island back in Victorian times and how that contribution continues into the present day.
“It’s a great place to be as a volunteer, working alongside a friendly and enthusiastic team of people from all walks of life. My aim is to ensure that the Railway continues to build on the achievements of the last 55 years, remaining both sustainable and relevant to the more than 100,000 visitors we host every year.”
Supporting Tony is newly appointed Deputy Chairman Isaac Farnbank. Isaac’s journey with the Railway began at age 14 in the Operating Department. He became a Trustee in 2022 and was appointed Operations Director earlier this year.
Professionally, Isaac works in mainline railway operations with Network Rail, bringing valuable industry insight to the heritage line.
Isaac Farnbank said:
“I am delighted to have been appointed Deputy Chairman to support Tony and the wider board as we navigate a challenging, but also exciting, period for the Railway and the Island economy more widely,” said Isaac Farnbank.
“I am particularly looking forward to steering governance reform and board development to help ensure we remain a sustainable, engaging and thriving organisation for our visitors, our volunteers and the Island community.”
The appointments mark a new chapter for the Isle of Wight Steam Railway as it seeks to preserve the Island’s rich railway history while ensuring long-term sustainability .
