AJC
Western Thunderer
A sunny morning at Wotton on the Isle of Wight brought us up from Newport (by bus) and this distinctive and unambiguous signage. Wotton station itself is totally reconstructed from what had been there before and the result is a work in progress with a signal box under restoration, but nonetheless attractive.
Our steed for the day was a vision of what almost was - an Ivatt 2-6-2T at the head of 1920s coaching stock though, I suspect, significantly cleaner than BR might have managed! 41298 is one of a pair, the other being 41313, currently under restoration. The other in service locos, sadly not in steam are a pair of Terriers and, pride of the line, W24, Calborne.
It's an extremely well-presented railway with magnificent stock and a lovely atmosphere. We especially enjoyed Haven Street (and we took dozens of pictures of that - a selection will follow)...
Adam