Ashey Station ( Steam )

As a previous component of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, the down platform was renovated and reopened to the public in the 1991. However, a significant portion of the platform has been removed, and the buildings that comprised the original up-level platform of the main station have been turned into private residences. Only the addition that was built in 1926 is still there.

The single passing loop was located at Ashey when the Ryde & Newport Railway first opened its doors. A line went south from the down loop to a chalk quarry beneath Ashey Down. This siding also serviced a neighbouring racetrack, which had its own station until about 1930. The Southern Railway decided to expand the platform in 1926 so that it could accept larger trains; the ‘join’ can be seen quite clearly in the shot that can be seen below.

The primary station buildings were situated on the passing loop, which was taken out of use in 1926. Subsequently, as a result of the closing of the racetrack in the 1930s, the amount of passengers using the station swiftly decreased, and in 1953, it was demoted to the status of an unattended stop.As of recently, the station on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway has undergone restoration work, and it has now reopened to passengers.

• http://www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/stations/a/ashey/index.shtml
• https://www.islandeye.co.uk/history/dr-richard-beeching/

• Sources: Images Nick Catford