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Isle of Wight: Steam Railway Bank Holiday steam show

Steaming in for a fun weekend

By David Newble - Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Steaming in for a fun weekend
PICTURE GALLERY: Peter Taylor, from Sandown, gets up steam at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway's annual Bank Holiday extravaganza. Picture by Robin Crossley.

PICTURE GALLERY

THE WEATHER may have been mixed over the Bank Holiday weekend but that did not stop thousands of people descending on the Island’s annual steam extravaganza.
Crowds came in their droves to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, at Havenstreet, to marvel at vintage steam and petrol-driven machinery as well as military vehicles, historic cars and beautifully restored traction engines.
The fun started outside the main showground in the car park where there was a display of road making using a vintage digger and steam roller.
Inside, crowds could sample real ale, take fairground rides and watch thrilling displays including stunts from Mark Stannage and the ever-popular Old Redtail Falconry show, which thrilled youngsters and older visitors alike.
The 34th annual steam show is the railway’s biggest fundraising event of the year and is sponsored by Wightlink and the County Press.
The show featured all the usual favourites including train rides, the native American camp, crafts, various trade and charity stalls and the beer tent, which featured more than 50 barrels to choose from.
Exhibitor Stan Brading, from Whitwell, was showing his 1927 ten-tonne Wallis and Stevens road roller, which had spent all its working life on the Isle of Wight.
He joked: “We had to have a special shed built for it. It costs more to run than the car.”
Steam show committee member Steve Castle said the event had been a success — despite the difficult conditions brought about by the credit crunch.
He said: “Figures for the last three days are holding. We have had a number of new exhibitors this year and the standard has always been excellent. We are very happy with the way it is going.”
• Pictures from our online gallery www.iwcpgallery.co.uk below. Click on the image for a larger version.