Locomotive on the pier
Isle of Wight Observer February 1880
The Railway on the pier – 1880
LOCOMOTIVE ON THE PIER – On Friday a locomotive ran from the St John’s-road station through the newly-constructed tunnel to the end of the finished portion of the pier for the first time. Col Yolland, the Government inspector, was present, and made his official inspection of the line. Among the other visitors were the Mayor and ex Mayor of Ryde, Mr Dashwood and Mr F Newman, borough engineer. Col Yolland expressed himself satisfied with the work, and with the exception of a few matters of dispute between the Corporation and the Joint Railway Companies everything passed off agreeably. The train ran the whole of the distance from the pier gates to St John’s under two minutes, and did the return journey in about 2 1/2 minutes. The signals and points have been put down efficiently by Messrs Saxby and Farmer of London, and no doubt the line will be opened on the 1st of March or shortly afterwards. A certain portion of the staff has been appointed by the superintendent of the two companies to conduct the business on the Ryde pier side, but we learn with regret that many of the Pier Company’s employees will not continue in appointments which they have held for many years, and the duties of which they have efficiently discharged.
