Drewry Railcar No. 2, in Southern Railway green livery, sets off on its first test run from Havenstreet to Smalbrook Junction on delivery day, June 25.
TONY BARRY/IOWSR
THE Isle of Wight Steam Railway (IoWSR) took delivery of the reconstructed former Ryde Pier Tramway Drewry Railcar No. 2 on June 25. The same day, it completed two successful fullline length tests runs. It has since undergone further tests and driver training before entering passenger service.
The horse-worked Ryde Pier Tramway opened in 1864, later to be paralleled by the main line steam railway serving the pierhead from 1880. Various traction methods were tried on the half-mile line, including
steam and electric, before two petrol-engined cars were introduced in 1927, with No. 2 fitted with a replacement 30hp Perkins diesel in 1959. However, the tramway closed on January 26, 1969.