At just before 11:00 this morning (Thursday) an Island Line train heading for Ryde came to a halt with what appeared to be a total power failure at Smallbrook Junction, leading to a newly-restored steam train saving the day for passengers.
At the time of the breakdown the Isle of Wight Steam Railway train was also at Smallbrook Junction on the opposite platform, on what is the first day of the season for the popular Havenstreet attraction.
The steam train was held whilst a decision was made to de-train the 20 Island Line passengers who were transported by steam to Havenstreet, where awaiting taxis took the passengers on to Ryde.
Peter Vail, General Manager of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway commented:
“We were only too pleased to be of assistance. It was a little ironic that our locomotive in service is the newly restored Ivatt 41298 which was built in 1951. This is modern technology compared to the 1938 tube stock operated by Island Line.”
It’s a great start to the season for Ivatt 41298, with today being the first time in over 50 years that the locomotive has run a passenger service.
