Island Line services, Isle of Wight. General discussion

[whole diary]

[ellendune]

I thought I had read somewhere here that VivaRail was being considered for IoW services and that it had been confirmed that they would fit the tunnel.

[Red Squirrel]

I thought I had read somewhere here that VivaRail was being considered for IoW services and that it had been confirmed that they would fit the tunnel.

You may well have done, but the article ray951 linked to suggests otherwise. Worth a read!

[didcotdean]

It also seems from that article and comments that the actual present-day situation regarding clearances throughout the route might be at variance with the 'received wisdom' and public domain information.

[eightf48544]

I thought I had read somewhere here that VivaRail was being considered for IoW services and that it had been confirmed that they would fit the tunnel.

You may well have done, but the article ray951 linked to suggests otherwise. Worth a read!

Interesting article perhaps we should look to Stadler who produce many types of units for in particular Swiss narrow gauge. Many seem to be one off variants of standard types produced in small batches.

Like the idea of NSE^▸ (Network South East) total route modernisation.

The main problem will still be cost and who pays.

[bobm]

From Journeycheck

Due to vandalism of railway equipment between Ryde Esplanade and Ryde St Johns Road the line is closed.

What's Going On:
Train services running through these stations will be cancelled. Disruption is expected until 10:00 13/01.

What We're Doing About It:
We have been informed of damage to a train and to a signal box on the Island Line between Ryde Esplanade and Ryde St Johns Road due to vandalism. Police are currently in attendance but until they have completed their investigations services will only run between Shanklin and Ryde St Johns Road.

[Chris125]

Gauging professional Gareth Dennis has had a look at the data and is confident 230s should fit Island Line - https://twitter.com/GarethDennis/status/1121055592171356161

"...the dynamically modelled Class 230 vehicles "fit" (i.e. can be gauge-cleared) without a problem.... A little cosy here and there, but the only thing stopping them running is the Solent!"


"The tunnel is flatly not an issue. Platform gauging always requires a bit of work, and there are two minor overbridges that get tight enough to warrant a closer look, but not a thing that would worry me, and I have to live and breathe this stuff."


"(and I ran this using data that precedes the recent physical work that "may or may not" have been done to make sure they definitely fit anyway)"

[johnneyw]

There's been an announcement about an announcement! The Keep Island Line in Franchise Facebook page is saying that after months of delay upon delay, an announcement is due this month on the Island Line. Without giving anything away, the poster sounded quite upbeat. One of the replies on the same thread said that even with the current political turmoil, a decision had to be made because the 80 year old rolling stock would not last that much longer (quelle suprise).
Anyone offering odds on Class 230s?

[johnneyw]

Interesting comment today on the Keep Island Line in Franchise Facebook page regarding reports of recent visits by Vivarail staff to the line. It's not from an official source but seeing there was already this thread, I thought I'd add it here rather than start a new one in the Rumour Mill.

[bradshaw]

Vivarail to supply five 2-car EMU^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit)’s to replace current trains. Testing starts next year and there will also be track improvements, including a passing loop at Brading to allow a 30 minute service

https://onthewight.com/new-trains-coming-to-the-isle-of-wight/

See also

https://twitter.com/paulcliftonbbc/status/1173537398799683584?s=21

[grahame]

From that link

Today (Monday) there’s good news for the users of Island Line. New trains are coming to the Island.

As anyone who has ridden the Isle of Wight’s train service knows, the trains that run between Shanklin and Ryde pier head are old. Really old.

The trains and carriages first came into service in 1938 on London Underground’s Tube. They’re so old in fact that they’re older than some of the wagons that run on the heritage Isle of Wight Steam Railway.

Five new trains

Today it’s been announced that the company Vivarail has been selected to build five new trains to run on the Isle of Wight.

The first two-car train is expected to arrive on test in early summer 2020, with track improvement works due to take place over the winter of that year.

The proposals were developed in partnership with key stakeholders on the Island, including Isle of Wight Council and Solent Local Enterprise Partnership. They have agreed to jointly contribute £1 million to fund a new passing loop at Brading, helping to deliver an even interval half-hourly service to the pier.

As a clarification, I suspect the "new" trains are refitted / refurbished D76 underground stock ... but never the less, this seems to be good news. 

[bradshaw]

Yes, they are the refurbished LT D78 stock and will be 3rd rail powered.


Apologies, my mistake; now corrected

[SandTEngineer]

Yes, they are the refurbished LT D76 stock and will be 3rd rail powered.

Strange, as the Press Release says D78 stock (which is what I thought they are)......

In trainspotting circles, they’re called D78 Stock. Originally manufactured during 1980 by Metro Cammell, Vivarail take the trains, install electric motors and fit it out the D78’s aluminium bodyshells with new interiors – with can feature modern-needs such as phone charging.

[JayMac]

Former D78 London Underground stock, to be known as Class 484 on the Isle of Wight.

[eightonedee]

My goodness it's taken them a long time to make the blindingly obvious decision!

[Timmer]

My goodness it's taken them a long time to make the blindingly obvious decision!

I suspect ooooooooozz gonna pay for it was behind the delay in getting towards today’s announcement. Pleased for Vivarail.