23rd January 2011 - ‘The Last Train’ A 40th Anniversary event

40 years on ... Join us as we recreate the last train from Newport – on foot!

Enjoy a guided walk from the site of the old Newport railway station following the former trackbed to Wootton, then steam train to Havenstreet.

Walkers will gather outside the Hamilton & Marshall building - the approximate location of the former Newport Railway Station building – where a blue plaque commemorating the former station site will be unveiled by Major General Martin White, Lord Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight, at 10.30am

The walk will commence following the unveiling.

At 1pm walkers will be met at Wootton Station by a train headed by locomotive No. 24 ‘Calbourne’ for the journey to Havenstreet (and returned to Wootton later). It is hoped that the train will also comprise the three carriages which formed one of the final steam trains from Newport on 24th January 1971 (LBSCR-built bogie coaches Nos. 4168, 2416 & 6349). At Havenstreet a light lunch will be available for walkers.

There will be a modest charge of £10 for adults and £5 for children, with funds going towards further restoration work at the Railway.

Meet next to Lidl’s car park, Newport (OS500894) at 10.20am

Distance 3 miles (one way). Duration 2 hours (one way – walk only).

(All walkers take part at their own risk) Additional trains will also run between Havenstreet and Wootton (and return at 11am, 12noon, 2pm and 3pm – Tickets Adults £5, Children (5-15) £3.

For more details please contact Liz Tagart at the IW Steam Railway on 01983 882204

All tickets may be pre-booked from the Railway or online

Tickets will also be available on the day.