The Jaguar Enthusiasts Club is to make a donation of £1,500 to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway to assist the restoration of the steam locomotive ‘Invincible’.
In 2008, having run a successful car show and fundraising event on the Island for a number of years, the Isle of Wight Jaguar Enthusiasts Club found the need to relocate to a larger venue. An agreement was reached with the Isle of Wight Steam Railway and for 9 years the event has been held in the show field adjacent to Havenstreet Station.
The charity chosen to benefit from last year’s event was a very specific project at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway. A cheque for £1,500 is to be presented on Sunday 16th April to assist with the restoration and eventual return to service of the 1915 Hawthorne Leslie 0-4-0ST locomotive ‘Invincible’.
Peter Vail, General Manager of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway said:
“This locomotive first came to the Island in 1971 and was the service engine that helped establish the Railway as we now know it. The great shame is that this much loved locomotive has been out of service since 2009.
“The aim is to use this generous donation to kick start the long awaited restoration of ‘Invincible'”.
Over the 9 years at the Railway, the Jaguar Car Club has grown from a relatively small event to a major attraction which now includes many vintage vehicles, not just Jaguars. A range of arena
acts and stalls have secured the Jaguar Show as a great day out for the whole family.
In 2017 the Jaguar Enthusiasts Club show is moving to a new venue at Sandown Airport on Sunday 13th August 2017.
Keith Parish of the Isle of Wight Jaguar Enthusiasts said:
“Working with the Isle of Wight Steam Railway has helped establish and grow our annual event. We are thrilled to assist the Railway in their quest to get “Invincible” back into steam”.
