British Railways finally closed the line in 1953, before the widespread nationwide closures of 1966, which resulted from the Beeching Report. The reason for the closure of the Freshwater to Newport line was simply that it never made very much money, with its original owners, the Isle of Wight Central Railway being actually made bankrupt in 1923. The line was then absorbed by the Southern Railway, who continued to operate it until its 1953 closure.Isle of Wight County Press, dated 26 September 1953, Page 7
