‘Ryde on Tyme’ is officially launching a public campaign to bring a 100% electric Dotto Train back to Ryde’s Esplanade and High Street in time for the 2027 summer season.
Ryde on Tyme says it wants to reintroduce the popular seafront attraction more than a decade after the original trains disappeared from the town more than a decade ago.
The company is preparing a major capital infrastructure bid for Central Government Strategic Regeneration Grants, which are due to open in September.
The bid aims to secure funding to manufacture new carriages using Isle of Wight marine carpentry and engineering trades.
Under the proposals, the 100% Electric, Zero-Emission Heritage Transit Train would feature vintage-style timber steam engine styling and solar roof panels.
The proposed service is intended to connect Ryde’s seafront transport interchange with Upper High Street and Union Street, helping to direct visitors towards independent retailers.
Ryde on Tyme says the train would operate at walking pace, with a maximum speed of 10mph, and would provide easier access for elderly and mobility-impaired passengers travelling up the steep hill.
The project would be privately managed and supported through ticket sales, sponsorship and interest-free private loans, with no ongoing cost to local taxpayers or requirement for public subsidies.
A public campaign has now been launched ahead of the September funding application, with residents being encouraged to show their support for the proposal.
As previously reported by Island Echo in 2023, members of the public hoped to see the return of the Dotto Train however, at the time, Ryde Town Council announced that budget-pressures facing the council meant the plans could not be executed.
What a great idea. I love the look of it. I remember so well the old Dotto trains which were great fun to ride.
It used to be great fun I used it most days and would get
off at Dell Cafe and have a Sausage and Onion Baguette
and a few Cappuccinos.
When it stopped I stopped going to Dell Cafe.
it must have lost businesses money.
Let’s hope it returns it should never have been sold off.
all aboard the Wetherspoons express, stopping at age uk, rspca shop, salvation army, British heart foundation, friends of the animals and many more
Great for Spoons at one end and Dell Cafe at the other.
10mph a very sensible safe speed especially for travelling
along by the beach, just need our roads to be safe now.
20mph is plenty for many island roads.
Try driving in London for any length of time, say the A3 or the South Circular, then spout that drivel. No idea have you of reality?
Just drive casually, what’s the rush.
On the island there is no law and order on island roads.
speeding is rife and nothing is being done about it.
London have it right, safety is imperative.
That 19.5 million is very attractive.
Great news!!
Many UK seaside rssorts have a similar train in some form or another, the difference is most are indemnified against losses and agreed profits by the local authority, I do not see how they will seek private loans against say a very wet summer when the service is only marginally used.
Great idea not before time How about fixing the fountain in the canoe lake Also the showers by Appley toilets the Isaac Hayward water playground The shelter by the lake painting the shelters and general repair Men in sheds would love to help and volunteers would be aplenty Get it done
The island could also do with a Ferris Wheel like most
other seasides have.
I agree but with many attractions the council ends up paying hundreds of thousands to such companies, \i recall the one in brighton that just went up and won and the council thought it a great idea to take it over then closing it as it cost millions of taxpayers money.
Councils are only any good at wasting money.
They sold off the Sandown pier for a few quid,
and demolished Ventnor pier etc etc.
So much potential and they have killed off tourism.
When it was owed by the council and they was looking to sell it on we offered to take it on and carry on running it as it was but they sold it to Southern vectis who then asset stripped it and sold all 3 trains off and closed it down