Island Line services, Isle of Wight. General discussion

[whole diary]

[paul7575]

The fact there are still only two of the five 484 units on the Island might also be a factor.

At least two of the three at Eastleigh have been out and about recently, often overnight although not every path has necessarily been used.

I suppose it’s possible that all 5 can actually move…

Paul

[bobm]

Another of the 484s has arrived on the island.

https://twitter.com/SW_Help/status/1430186767014109190

[paul7575]

As I write, (1542 Thur 9th), there’s a 484 on the pier, stopped short of the station.

https://youtu.be/UkmhN7P8U-4

Paul

[Phantom]

I stayed there last weekend, was gutted not to get on the new trains, especially as you could see them there ready to go

[grahame]

From Rail Advent

The London Transport Traction Group and The Llanelli & Mynydd Mawr Railway have announced that two Ex-London Underground trains will soon become residents in South Wales, at the heritage railway located near Llanelli.

This is thought to be the first time that a tube train (1938 stock) has visited Wales and both groups say that they are looking forward to working together.

The London Transport Traction Group was originally set up to secure one of these trains for preservation, having been in service in London and the Isle of Wight, but ended up saving two!

I know we planned to adopt one (more) greyhound and ended up with two, but doing it with trains is on an all together different level!

[bobm]

Trains “set” to return on 1st November.

https://www.southwesternrailway.com/other/news-and-media/news/2021/september/island-line-set-to-reopen-on-1-november

Wednesday

The upgraded Island Line is due to reopen on 1 November, as long as a final round of train safety tests is successfully completed
A series of complications have delayed the £26m project, but the new trains and enhanced infrastructure will transform the customer experience
South Western Railway (SWR^» (South Western Railway - about)) has today announced that the upgraded Island Line is set to reopen on 1 November, subject to a final round of train safety tests being successfully completed.

Once reopened, customers will return to a transformed Island Line, with new trains running along upgraded infrastructure and through improved stations.

The new trains will significantly improve the customer experience, with upgrades ranging from better interiors to plug sockets, free WiFi and wheelchair spaces.

As well as testing the new trains, SWR staff have been busy improving the rail infrastructure and stations on the Island. Amongst other enhancements, the Island Line tracks have been upgraded to ensure customers can enjoy a smoother ride.

The £26 million project, which has been funded by the Department for Transport, Isle of Wight Council and Solent Local Enterprise Partnership, has regrettably taken longer to complete than first anticipated. This has been due to several factors including train testing complications, the pandemic and even the flash flooding which engulfed the Isle of Wight earlier this summer.

During testing, the new Class 484 Island Line trains have been affected by software issues, which SWR and train supplier Vivarail have made good progress in solving through further testing. The final phase of testing is key to the delivery of a safe and reliable railway.

Commenting, Claire Mann, Managing Director of South Western Railway, said:
“We are really pleased that the Island Line is set to reopen on 1 November, providing that a final round of testing allows us to safely introduce our new trains into passenger service.

“It goes without saying that the safety of our customers and colleagues is the absolute priority for us, which is why it’s so important to get these final preparations right.

“When the Island Line reopens, the new trains and upgraded infrastructure will give a real boost to the customer experience, delivering the modern, punctual and accessible railway that people expect and deserve.

“We are sorry that this project has taken longer to deliver than we first hoped, with a series of complications sadly delaying re-opening. However, we are confident that the transformed Island Line will be worth wait, and we are so excited to welcome locals and visitors back onboard!”

[paul7575]

There’s a recent video of four car testing:
https://youtu.be/87H4E_ReJ_4

Paul

[RichT54]

Here is a recent video of a class 484 doing test runs through Ryde Esplanade and on the pier. Despite the various rumours, it looks like there are no problems going through the tunnel at normal speeds 

https://youtu.be/ZSqiT1RdfiQ

[RichT54]

Here is a video of a class 484 pushing the last of the class 483s to Sandown:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCOi-Ykf_ik

Is that coupling adapter ever likely to be used anywhere else in the future, or is it just too specialized?

[RichT54]

According to the Island Echo, it's been confirmed that the Island Line will reopen on Monday (1/11/21).

South Western Railway says that the first Class 484 passenger service will depart Ryde St John’s at 05:35 on Monday, calling at Ryde Esplanade at 05:39 and then Ryde Pier Head at 05:41. The train will then head back down the line passing through Brading, Sandown and Lake before arriving in Shanklin at 06:10.

https://www.islandecho.co.uk/confirmed-island-line-trains-to-return-from-monday-morning/

Any members here going to be there for the first run?

[johnneyw]

Any members here going to be there for the first run?

No but it will be an even better reason to retry my previously failed attempt, due to bad weather, at doing the IoW Hovercraft service back in 2019.

[RichT54]

It looks like the service has got off to a bit of a shaky start:

[paul7575]

Running as a four car apparently, as seen on FB.  So the hourly service can’t be due to lack of stock?

[Fourbee]

My understanding is the hourly service is because the Wightlink ferry is only hourly at this time of year. Not sure what was promised before launch?

[JayMac]

I'm headed over to Isla Wigit today. Overnight stay. Will post pictures and observations here tonight and tomorrow.

As I said elsewhere I'm taking a very roundabout journey to get to Southampton for Red Funnel to Cowes. I decided I'd go 1st Class on the way out as it was only £30.45 from Templecombe to Cowes East with my Railcard. Knowing I was going to be using GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) from Exeter to Reading and CrossCountry from Reading to Southampton made the decision to chose 1st Class a no brainer at that price.

Glad I chose to. The 1115 from Exeter to Reading is heaving in Standard.