The Isle of Wight Steam Railway is gearing up to host its 50th annual Steam Fair this Bank Holiday weekend, thanks to the continued support of Wightlink.
Running from Friday 22nd August to Monday 25th August at Havenstreet, the milestone event promises to be the biggest yet, with a wide array of vintage steam engines, classic vehicles, and family entertainment on offer.
Organisers have been planning the anniversary edition since before last year’s show, with Events Organiser Liz Tagart saying:
“The team started work planning the 2025 anniversary event even before the 2024 show.”
Hundreds of historic vehicles will be making their way to Havenstreet from across the Isle of Wight and mainland Britain, arriving under their own steam or via low-loader. Among the attractions are:
- James and Anthony Horton’s Galloping Horses carousel
- Alan Blyth’s traditional swingboats
- Mike Venn’s 6-inch miniature Burrell traction engine from Wetherby
- A 109-year-old Dennis N type fire engine driven from London by students from Imperial College
Some vehicles are even making the journey in full steam across the Solent, including Dave Loader from Bournemouth with his Garrett agricultural engine and Malcolm Rogers’ Sentinel Steam Wagon from Edenbridge, Kent.
Steve Oates, Show Chairman, has said:
“We are very grateful to our exhibitors, our team and Wightlink to organise the complex logistics of assembling all these vehicles for this busy weekend.”
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Special features to mark the 50th year include traditional traction engine games, such as musical traction engines, and a popular real ale bar with tasting notes compiled by long-serving volunteer Derek Bishop.
Throughout the weekend, steam-hauled vintage trains will run frequently between Wootton and Smallbrook Junction via Havenstreet, operating from 10:00 to 18:00 and connecting with Southern Vectis buses and Island Line services.
Andrew Summers, Rolling Stock Manager, added:
“Our volunteer crews start at 07:30 to get their trains ready to go on time.”
Full details and tickets are available at www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk.
Looking forward to it very much, one of the best
events on the island.