Island author Ralph C. Humphries was born in Newport and has lived and worked here for many years. For twenty-five years he served with Trinity House Lighthouse Service, working on many lighthouses including Bishop Rock, Eddystone and the Needles. In 1989 he was promoted to Principal Keeper and took charge of St. Catherine’s Lighthouse until made redundant in 1996.
Over the past eleven years he has undertaken a variety of roles with local bus company Southern Vectis. He is now working as a crewman with ferry company Wightlink, on the Yarmouth – Lymington route.
His hobbies include writing (especially research), walking, swimming and travelling, and he has visited many different countries. Of course, he also has a keen interest in transport, having worked for bus and ferry companies, and has written his book on the Isle of Wight rail system.
Island Line is the story of the Isle of Wight's award-winning electric railway. The Island's train services link high-speed ferries from Portsmouth to the main resorts on the east coast of the Isle of Wight. The Isle of Wight Railways at one time could boast a network of 55.5 miles with 36 stations. It took 38 years to develop but could not be sustained and only lasted for 52 years. All that remains of that former network is the electrified line from Ryde to Shanklin. It is this 8.5 mile route which is the subject of this fascinating book.
£3.95
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