IW Steam Railway treat 600,000th Train Story visitors to first class day out

POPULAR tourist attraction the Isle of Wight Steam Railway has welcomed its 600,00th visitor to one of its big draws.

The Steam Railway's Train Story Discovery Centre opened in 2014 and has been a big hit with visitors ever since.

The heritage railway, in Havenstreet, marked the occasion by rewarding the Shitu family, of  from Binfield, near Bracknell, Berkshire, with a goody bag, voucher and certificate.

Gifts in the goodie bag won by the Shitu family. (Image: Isle of Wight Steam Railway)

The National Lottery awarded £1.2 million of funding for Train Story, where visitors can find displays of Victorian and Edwardian carriages alongside a collection of rare rolling stock, all preserved undercover and protected from the elements.

Children can dress up as drivers and guards and re-enact stories from the past.

The centre follows the timeline of steam railways through to the modern-day Isle of Wight electric line.

Mum, Michelle Shitu, said although she had been to the Isle of Wight as a child, it was the first time her family of husband Mutiu and children Maxwell and Millie, had visited the Island.

An Isle of Wight Steam Railway spokesperson said: “To have reached 600,000 visitors in just ten years, shows the appetite for living history attractions such as this.”

The attraction is open throughout the year and hosts a wide range of events, from real ale festivals to seasonal family events.