Ryde Architecture
ASHEY STATION
The station was opened by the Ryde and Newport Railway in December 1875 and closed February 1966. It amalgamated with other Island railways to form the Isle of Wight Central Railway. The station was re-sited during the British Railways era because of subsidence at the original site
A branch line ran from Ashey station to Ashey chalk quarry, and by 1884 a separate station served the adjacent race course.
Mr. Edwin Augustus Cull was one of the last of the old school of engine drivers employed by the I.W. Railway Company. Subsequently he drove the passenger trains between Ryde and Ventnor.
Mr. Cull retired from the railways in 1925, two years after the Southern Railway took over the Island railway system, this bringing to an end his 48 years service.
Sportsmen who attended the Ashey race meeting will remember him as the driver of the “Ashey special” consisting entirely of first-class coaches which used to run up to the grandstand. Since retiring he had lived at Ashey station house, where he died in 1942.
Sources: Wikipedia & IW Steam Railway
Image: Roy Brinton Collection
Article: Ann Barrett