Transport

COWES STATION 1961.

Looking up Carvel Lane this shows that Cowes Station was a sizeable building. Also captured in the shot is the Fountain Coach Garage.

NUMBER 27 "MERSTONE" CROSSING BINNEY BRIDGE OVER ST MARY'S ROAD

From Mill Hill station trains bound for Cowes had to pass through a tunnel then over this bridge.

TRAIN LEAVING THE TUNNEL ARRIVING AT MILL HILL STATION.

Quite a busy stop for both shipyard workers and those using the Floating Bridge.

COWES STATION

Another shot showing what has been lost.

ALL ABOARD DL2632 CHARABANC: NOTE THE SOLID TYRES -OUCH!

This early coach was typically designed with doors for each row of seats.

BUSES ONCE COMPETITORS FOR THE RAILWAY, EVENTUALLY BECAME THE ONLY PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Number 2 went to Newport, Numbers 1 1a & 1b left West hill Rd for Newport prior to the bus station in Carvel Lane.

BERNARD GROVES BASED IN THE ARCADE

An early southern Vectis bus in Fountain Yard.

Travel available in 1852.

A bigger range of routes between the Island & Mainland than there is today.

GRACIE FIELDS

One of Red Funnel’s pre-war fleet sadly one of the “Little Ships” lost at Dunkirk.

Cowes Pontoon possibly 1950s

A welcoming gateway to Cowes and the Island

MV BALMORAL LEAVING COWES

Red Funnel and its predecessors has provided a vital link to the mainland for over 200years since George Ward, founder of the Ward dynasty in Cowes, together with William Fitzhugh started the first steamer service between Cowes and Southampton in 1820.

PRIOR TO THE RED JETS SHEARWATER HYDROFOILS PROVIDED THE HIGH SPEED SERVICE

The Red Jets have proved a safe and reliable passenger service

COWES CASTLE FOR A TIME CALLED AT COWES

The vehicle service is now based in East Cowes, however the earlier car transporters also called a Fountain Quay.

LOADING A CAR AT FOUNTAIN QUAY

Once aboard cars were turned round on a turntable ready to exit.

LUXURY TRAVEL ABOARD THE LOONA DOONE.

Between the wars travel was more leisurely and luxurious. Silver service luncheon was the way to enjoy what for most was the nearest thing to cruising. The cosy bar is named the Halfway Doone.

Horses were still used for local transport in 1896

Soon to be made obsolete by motor cars but Mr J Porter of Oxford Cottage Park Rd was still offering a full horse drawn service.

ENFIELD MOTORS - ANOTHER SOMERTON PRODUCED VEHICLE AHEAD OF ITS TIME

Now the future electric cars in the 1960s & 1970s faced severe competition from conventional cars and the last Enfield electric car was built at Somerfield in 1977.

ENFIELD MOTORS

Another Somerton built electriccar.