By Isle of Wight Observer
The Isle of Wight Steam Railway has appointed Tony Barry as chairman of its board of trustees, alongside Isaac Farnbank as deputy chairman.
Tony has been involved with the railway since volunteering as a teenager, working across various operational roles before achieving his ambition of becoming a steam locomotive driver.
He served in the British Army, gaining experience in personnel, training, and logistics management. He joined the board in 2018 and is also the railway’s safety director.
A Havenstreet resident, Tony is the Isle of Wight councillor for Newchurch, Havenstreet and Ashey. He said: “The Steam Railway is a fantastic place; it tells the story of how railways transformed life on the Island back in Victorian times and how that contribution continues into the present day.
“My aim is to ensure that the railway continues to build on the achievements of the last 55 years, remaining both sustainable and relevant to the more than 100,000 visitors we host every year.”
New deputy chairman, Isaac Farnbank, began volunteering with the railway’s operating department, aged 14.
He became a trustee in 2022 and was appointed operations director earlier this year. He also works in mainline railway operations with Network Rail.
Isaac said: “I am delighted to have been appointed deputy chairman to support Tony and the wider board as we navigate a challenging, but also exciting, period for the railway and the Island economy more widely.”
He hopes to strengthen governance and board development to ensure the railway continues to thrive.