JGurney
Member
In this article: https://metro.co.uk/2025/03/30/aboard-uks-one-a-kind-floating-train-line-set-reopen-soon-22795142/
the Metro claims that Ryde has a "one of a kind floating train line". The reporter seems rather confused about repairs to Ryde Pier. The article also claims that the railway service along the pier was provided by a horse drawn tram until "the arrival of diesel engines in the 1950's".
The report reads;
"An island known for its beaches is set to reopen the UK’s only floating railway station in the coming weeks. The Isle of Wight might be best known for its beaches, the seaside vibe, festivals and fossils – but it is also home to a floating railway, the Island Line. It can make visitors feel like they are somewhere balmier than in the grey UK as they travel the half-a-mile-long line on the Solent strait between Ryder Pier Head and the esplanade. But the sea railway line between the esplanade and the pier head has been closed since September to give it a new lease of life.
The first pier was created because ships struggled to get to Ryde in low tide. It was the brainchild of merchants who realised in 1812 that Ryde could have a long pier, and two years later, the 1,740ft pier was already ready for action. In 1824, it was extended to 2,040 feet, making it a one-of-a-kind structure in Britain. Victorian city dwellers flocked to the beach resort and Ryde grew in popularity. As impressive as the long pier was, its length and popularity as a disembarking point for steam ships meant it needed a way to transport weary passengers. The first transport on the pier was a horse-powered tram before the emergence of diesel engines in the 1950s."
the Metro claims that Ryde has a "one of a kind floating train line". The reporter seems rather confused about repairs to Ryde Pier. The article also claims that the railway service along the pier was provided by a horse drawn tram until "the arrival of diesel engines in the 1950's".
The report reads;
"An island known for its beaches is set to reopen the UK’s only floating railway station in the coming weeks. The Isle of Wight might be best known for its beaches, the seaside vibe, festivals and fossils – but it is also home to a floating railway, the Island Line. It can make visitors feel like they are somewhere balmier than in the grey UK as they travel the half-a-mile-long line on the Solent strait between Ryder Pier Head and the esplanade. But the sea railway line between the esplanade and the pier head has been closed since September to give it a new lease of life.
The first pier was created because ships struggled to get to Ryde in low tide. It was the brainchild of merchants who realised in 1812 that Ryde could have a long pier, and two years later, the 1,740ft pier was already ready for action. In 1824, it was extended to 2,040 feet, making it a one-of-a-kind structure in Britain. Victorian city dwellers flocked to the beach resort and Ryde grew in popularity. As impressive as the long pier was, its length and popularity as a disembarking point for steam ships meant it needed a way to transport weary passengers. The first transport on the pier was a horse-powered tram before the emergence of diesel engines in the 1950s."
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