Watchinwell Station (Steam)

Between Cowes and Newport, the Isle of Wight’s first railway opened to the public in 1862. In 1868, there was talk of constructing a railway from Newport to Freshwater, near the island’s westernmost point. An act of parliament in 1880 permitted the Freshwater, Yarmouth and Newport Railway Company to construct a 12-mile single-track line with three passing places from the Newport station on the Isle of Wight Central Railway to Freshwater. This plan never materialised.

In 1886, work began on the western end, and by 1888, the railway had reached Yarmouth. On September 10, 1888, the railway began accepting freight traffic. Although there were several passenger trips, regular passenger service didn’t begin until July 20, 1889.

Carisbrooke, Calbourne, Ningwood, and Yarmouth served as intermediate stops, with a private station erected at Watchingwell for Sir John Simeon of Swainston in July 1889. After some time, this stop was included in public timetables, making its debut in August 1923.

• http://www.subbrit.org.uk/sb-sites/stations/w/watchingwell/index.shtml

• Image Sources:  Nick Catford