Historic porter’s trolley donated to Isle of Wight Steam Railway
Monday, 3 August 2026
A piece of the Isle of Wight’s transport history has been given a new lease of life after Wightlink donated a vintage porter’s trolley to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway at Havenstreet.
The traditional wooden sack truck, also known as a porter’s trolley or hand truck, had been stored at Ryde Pier Head for many years and is believed to have been used by railway porters to transport passengers’ luggage between ferries and trains when ferry services were railway owned.
Thought to date from around the 1940s, the trolley is typical of those once used across Britain’s railway stations, docks and industrial sites. Built from sturdy hardwood with iron wheels and a heavy-duty metal nose plate, they were designed to move heavy luggage and parcels with ease.
Recognising its historical significance, Wightlink approached the Isle of Wight Steam Railway to see if the artefact could become part of its heritage collection.
Sam Woodman, Partnerships Marketing Manager at Wightlink, said: “Ryde Pier Head has welcomed generations of visitors arriving on the Isle of Wight, and this porter’s trolley is a reminder of the days when rail and ferry travel worked hand in hand. Rather than remaining in storage, we’re delighted it has found a new home at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, where it can help tell the story of travel to and from the Island for years to come.”
Andy Merritt, Heritage Manager at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, said: “We are very grateful to Wightlink for donating this historic item, which will enhance our collection and our ability to tell the story of travel to and from the Island.”
The donation came about after Wightlink Operations Manager, Martin Gulliver, discovered the trolley while clearing a storeroom at Ryde Pier Head.
Martin said: “It seemed a shame to leave the trolley sitting in storage, so I contacted the Isle of Wight Steam Railway to see if they would be interested in giving it a new home, and thankfully they were.”
The Steam Railway plans to restore the trolley before putting it on display, preserving an important piece of the Island’s transport heritage for future generations.