I was there. I took the steam train from Ryde to Ventnor almost every summer holiday. I used to enjoy standing on the platform at Ventnor and waiting for the train to come out through the tunnel. Magic it was. What a loss to the tourism industry when they destroyed it all. How could they be so short-sighted? Seeing this video is a complete nostalgia trip. I remember it all so well and so vividly, but to see it in video is splendid. Thank you very very much.
We had our honeymoon in the tower room of the Ryde Castle Hotel in 1984. I was later told that Mick Jagger and Marianne Faithfull stayed in the same room when the Stones played Ryde in the mid sixties.
Thank you so much for all your love of the Island and recent history. We ought to work at getting as much steam. Back as possible it would be a big hit. Thanks once more you are an artistic gem.
Most of this was when? About 1963 or 64? I was there those summers. Did it ever rain in the 60s?! Just as I recall from Waterloo down to Portsmouth and the paddle steamer across the water. My dad used to wear a hat on holiday just like the guy at 6.22! Brilliant compilation sir.
Very nice and nostalgic; it's a shame too that none of the Solent paddlers survived either; 'Ryde' sat in an inlet deteriorating for years, but was then cut up, an unforgiveable loss!
Oh well done, you've some shots of the ferries too, also lost (unless the Ryde people are able to do something very remarkable with the sad remains of this ship) Great shots of the railway, truly a loss to the Isle of Wight.
Another gem Stu - thanks! They should bring back the paddle steamers and the Island-wide rail network! Come and visit soon, there's a pint of Goddards with your name on it!
great stu in 1962 i went on paddle steamer to ryde then the steam train to sandown it was august baking hot and we sat on beach and had crab sarnies at shanklin later, it was a day trip from selsey bill caravan park wiv my family,
You might find this hard to believe, but I drove my car through the Ventnor tunnel with my then-girlfriend, just after they had taken the rails & sleepers up. Late 70's early 80's
