Cowes

Another view of Cowes Station showing the two main platforms and the two dock roads either side. The run-round practice at Cowes was interesting and was made possible by the station being on a slight incline. Trains would arrive at the main (left hand) platform and pull right up to the buffer stops. The locomotive would disconnect and, when all passengers had disembarked, would propel the carriages back beyond the points where the guard would apply the handbrake. The locomotive would pull forward to the buffer stops and reverse over the points out of the station. The guard would then release the handbrake and allow the carriages to slowly move down to the buffer stops. The locomotive would then rejoin the head of the train ready for the return journey to Ryde. Note the wartime paintwork on the “Cowes” running-in board, still in place in 1963.

photograph by Keith Harwood

On a cold winter’s day smoke from the departing Cowes train clouds the parcels stock berthed in the former Freshwater bay platform at Newport. The date is 13 February 1966, just one week prior to closure of the line.

photograph by Keith Harwood

Out of the peak season 3 carriages were usually sufficient for the Cowes line trains. Here 02 Class No 33 Bembridge arrives at Cowes with a typical set.

photograph by Keith Harwood

The run-round sequence at Cowes is described above. Here Nº33 has set back the train, ready to run round. Once Nº33 has been released, the guard will release the handbrake and allow the three car set to run forward by gravity to the buffer stops.

photograph by Keith Harwood

Nº33 having been detached from its train has moved forward towards the buffer stops and will reverse across the points and out of the station.

photograph by Keith Harwood

Having completed its run-round Nº33 is approaching its train, ready to couple up and return bunker first to Newport and Ryde.

photograph by Keith Harwood

All photographs are copyright

This page was last updated 3 December 2002