Historic Porter's Trolley Finds New Home At Isle Of Wight Steam Railway

A historic piece of the Isle of Wight's transport heritage has been given a new home after Wightlink donated a vintage porter's trolley to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.

The traditional wooden trolley, discovered in storage at Ryde Pier Head, is believed to date back to the 1940s and was once used by railway porters to move passengers' luggage between ferries and trains when ferry services were owned by the railway.

Constructed from hardwood with iron wheels and a heavy-duty metal nose plate, the trolley is typical of those that were once a familiar sight at railway stations, docks and industrial sites across Britain.

Recognising its historical value, Wightlink offered the artefact to the Steam Railway at Havenstreet, where it will become part of the attraction's growing heritage collection.

Sam Woodman, Partnerships Marketing Manager at Wightlink, said:

"Ryde Pier Head has welcomed generations of visitors arriving on the Isle of Wight, and this porter's trolley is a reminder of the days when rail and ferry travel worked hand in hand.

"Rather than remaining in storage, we're delighted it has found a new home at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, where it can help tell the story of travel to and from the Island for years to come."

Andy Merritt, Heritage Manager at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, welcomed the donation.

"We are very grateful to Wightlink for donating this historic item, which will enhance our collection and our ability to tell the story of travel to and from the Island."

The trolley came to light after Wightlink Operations Manager Martin Gulliver uncovered it while clearing out a storeroom at Ryde Pier Head.

He said:

"It seemed a shame to leave the trolley sitting in storage, so I contacted the Isle of Wight Steam Railway to see if they would be interested in giving it a new home, and thankfully they were."

The Isle of Wight Steam Railway now plans to restore the trolley before putting it on public display, helping preserve another fascinating chapter in the Island's rich transport history.