although some matters were imperfect, the desired sanction for opening was given. The Ryde and Newport Railway opened on 20 December 1875, and like the Cowes and Newport it ran seven passenger trains each way on weekdays. The intermediate stations probably did not open until March 1876. The R&NR paid the IoWR a rental for the use of the Ryde station. The R&NR arranged with the Cowes and Newport Railway for their two lines to be worked jointly, an arrangement that was ratified by Parliament in 1875, and the Act also authorised the R&NR to build Medina wharf on the River Medina. The wharf was much more suitable for handling heavy goods and minerals, and it quickly became the chief port of entry to the island for that traffic. Ashey racecourse There was a racecourse adjacent to the line at Ashey, and excursion trains to the race meetings were popular. The Isle of Wight Railway had running powers to Newport and exercised them for the purpose of running to Ashey on race days. A southwards tramway ran from the station to a chalk pit, running closely past the track and the grandstand. Some authorities state that there was an Ashey Racecourse station, used only for race meetings, on the tramway, in use from April 1882 to about 1930. It seems likely that this is a mistake: the empty rolling stock for the excursions was stabled on the tramway during the racing, but there was no passenger station. The tramway is clearly shown on the mapping of the period, but no station is marked on any Ordnance Survey map in the relevant period. Writing in 1946, Jones describes the route from Newport to Ryde and states Collaborative working, but disputes over costs The R&NR and the C&NR had always intended to operate collaboratively, and on 1 July 1876 the Ryde, Newport and Cowes Joint Committee was established to manage operational matters. This was successful so far as day-to-day running was concerned, but the difficult financial situation of the companies led to continuing failure to work together over completion of the line. The R&NR was still heavily indebted and was struggling to pay off the outstanding sums. The IoW(NJ)R too needed some time to increase its income, although on 28 June 1876, the anniversary of the coronation of Queen Victoria, thirteen-coach trains were run between and ; rolling stock had to be