Leaderboard

The Red Squirrel Trail is a cycleway and footpath on the Isle of Wight. Between Shanklin and Wroxall the path follows the old railway (which closed in 1966) before diverting away. Sadly the remaining old railway route onto the terminus in Ventnor is largely inaccessible and/or built over.

On the Red Squirrel Trail just outside Shanklin, a long disused Fogman’s Hut stands on the approach to Shanklin where the “Distant” Signal would have stood. In foggy weather, the Fogman would place an audible explosive device called a “Detonator” on the rails to warn the Driver of a train they were approaching a “Stop Signal.” This type of regulation ceased on the British railway network many years ago, but there are many of these old huts still standing!

The site of Wroxall Station between Shanklin and Ventnor was closed in 1966 and the railway lifted. All that remains now the bridge carrying Castle Street over the old railway and part of the Station buildings (not seen and behind the photographer).

Under an old bridge on the Red Squirrel Trail, two old “Chairs” that once held rails onto sleeper now rust away in silence.

Returning to Havenstreet Shed on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway for a short break from train working and re-coaling.

Taken from Bembridge Fort on Culver Down on the Isle of Wight, the Sunset and its dramatic rays are seen out to the West of the Island.

HMS Queen Elizabeth, one of the UK Royal Navy’s 2 x Aircraft Carriers moves gently through the Solent past her home port of Portsmouth to carry out sea trials off the Isle of Wight in the English Channel.

Victoria of Wight is the largest and newest Wightlink vessel on the cross Solent car ferry between Portsmouth Gunwharf and Fishbourne on the Isle o& Wight. She is seen here docking at Fishbourne on a lovely Sunny day on the 11:00 sailing from Portsmouth ready for the 12:20 crossing back.