River Medina. Authorised share capital was £30,000 (). A construction contract was let to Albert H. Fernandez, and the first sod was cut on 15 October 1859. The construction had been thought to be simple, but in fact the nature of the ground and the wet weather made the work extremely difficult. In December 1861, the contractor had to give up the work, and the company continued for a period managing the work directly. The C&NR itself had financial difficulties as the authorised share issue was considerably undersubscribed. The Cowes station abutted Cross Street, where there was a level crossing, over which the line continued as a tramway; engine run-round movements had to cross the level crossing and use the tramway, contrary to stipulations in the authorising Act (The C&NR was later authorised to enlarge the station and close Cross Street. This work was done in early 1879). Captain Tyler of the Board of Trade inspected the line for passenger operation in May 1862, but found numerous deficiencies and recommended that the authorisation for opening be declined. He returned on 14 June 1862 and this time everything was in order; the line opened on 16 June 1862; passenger traffic only was carried for some time after opening; there were eight trains each way on weekdays. Notice boards at the Newport station made it clear that onward conveyance to London, via Cowes and Southampton, was a primary objective. The line was operated by a contractor, Henry Martin, for 50% of gross receipts at first, later 50% of net receipts. A wharf known as Medina Wharf was built adjoining the river between Cowes and Newport in 1877–78. Writing in 1962 Rickard said that the Medina Wharf was then the sole means of entry for coal to the island. Isle of Wight Railway The business interests on the east coast of the island continued to put forward a scheme based in Ryde. The Cowes and Newport Railway proposed an extension from Newport, Isle of Wight to Ryde and Ventnor, forming a large triangle, and to rename their company the Isle of Wight Railway. The promoters of the Isle of Wight (Eastern Section) Railway resubmitted their scheme too. The Cowes and Newport bill failed standing orders, and although there was some opposition to it, the IoW(ES)R was authorised on 23 July 1860. In 1863, it changed its name to the Isle of Wight Railway;