Isle of Wight futures.

[whole diary]

[Rhydgaled]

Seen reports that the first of the new trains will start test runs in September.    I’m there for a week next month. I might be lucky and see it!

I thought the 'new' trains couldn't start running on the island until the infrustructure mods had been done, so assumed the 3 month shut down was to allow crew training as well as the infrustucture work (with most of the rolling stock testing being done on the mainland before hand). I could easily be mistaken though.

[stuving]

Seen reports that the first of the new trains will start test runs in September.    I’m there for a week next month. I might be lucky and see it!

I thought the 'new' trains couldn't start running on the island until the infrustructure mods had been done, so assumed the 3 month shut down was to allow crew training as well as the infrustucture work (with most of the rolling stock testing being done on the mainland before hand). I could easily be mistaken though.

Yes, that's exactly what has been announced about the closure. But presumably the new operators want to take their new toys out of the box to play with, even if it's only on a small part of the "network".

[Electric train]

Seen reports that the first of the new trains will start test runs in September.    I’m there for a week next month. I might be lucky and see it!

I thought the 'new' trains couldn't start running on the island until the infrustructure mods had been done, so assumed the 3 month shut down was to allow crew training as well as the infrustucture work (with most of the rolling stock testing being done on the mainland before hand). I could easily be mistaken though.

Yes, that's exactly what has been announced about the closure. But presumably the new operators want to take their new toys out of the box to play with, even if it's only on a small part of the "network".

I saw a photo on another forum of a Tamper on a low loader onboard a Wrightlink ferry, the comment was the first time in decades that they had transported one.

[grahame]

Interesting to look back to the early 1967 closure - from KentRail

On 18th September 1966, Esplanade became the temporary northern terminus of railway, Pier Head having closed the following day for partial reconstruction to take place as part of the electrification scheme. Tube stock cascaded from the Northern City Line was destined for the truncated remains of the Isle of Wight Railway, and as a result, the platforms at the Esplanade were lowered to meet the floor profile of these trains. Conversely, at the other stations which were to remain open, the tracks were instead raised. As a measure against future flooding, tracks within the twin bores of Esplanade Tunnel were also raised. The Esplanade to Shanklin line temporarily closed to all traffic on 31st December 1966, to permit advanced electrification works. The line, including the stretch to Pier Head, re-opened with a new electric service on 20th March 1967

I wonder if the replacement trains can run within loading gauge already on part of the line - St John's Road to Shanklin, perhaps, and local familiarisation can start.  Without passengers, big step on and off the trains wouldn't be a problem during that phase.

[bobm]

Problem might be line capacity.  With the current timetable (and two serviceable trains running) I don't think you could fit a third train in.  Could run at night I suppose.

[grahame]

Problem might be line capacity.  With the current timetable (and two serviceable trains running) I don't think you could fit a third train in.  Could run at night I suppose.

Doesn't the line support a 3 train, 20 minute regular service, passing at Ryde St. John's Road and Sandown?  Lack of intermediate loop at Brading stops them running a 2 train, 30 minute regular service, hence current 20 minute / 40 minute cycle.

With a loop going in at Brading to enable a 30 minute service, is the loop at Sandown being retained?  Any reductions at St John's Road?

[grahame]

There is a fault on one of the trains which runs between Ryde Pier Head and Shanklin, resulting in a reduced service being in operation on the Island Line.

Trains will run as follows:
Trains will depart Shanklin at 18 minutes past the hour
Trains will depart Ryde Pier Head at 49 minutes past the hour

Additional information:
Additional maintenance is required to one of the Island Line trains, so there is currently only one train available to run.

Been said before ... just 2 serviceable trains for a two train service is cutting it pretty darned fine, especially where another train can't be run in from elsewhere on the network.

[grahame]

From the Island Echo

Island Line’s service between Ryde and Shanklin has been suspended this morning (Monday) due to mindless vandalism.

Those trying to get to work and school are having to hop onto bus services due to all services being cancelled.

Island Line was already down to just 1 train and was running a revised timetable accordingly. However, overnight persons unknown have graffitied the last remaining unit meaning that it has been withdrawn from service.

Until the graffiti can be removed the train will be unable to enter service.

Disruption is expected until 09:00.

A further reminder of the difficulty of running an isolated service with no ability to roll in a train from another line / pool.

[bobm]

Services starting to resume but still only hourly.

[bobm]

There is a fault on one of the trains which runs between Ryde Pier Head and Shanklin, resulting in a reduced service being in operation on the Island Line.

Trains will run as follows:
Trains will depart Shanklin at 18 minutes past the hour
Trains will depart Ryde Pier Head at 49 minutes past the hour

Additional information:
Additional maintenance is required to one of the Island Line trains, so there is currently only one train available to run.

Been said before ... just 2 serviceable trains for a two train service is cutting it pretty darned fine, especially where another train can't be run in from elsewhere on the network.

Been a bit of a rarity in recent times - but the two train service has been running all this week so far.

[grahame]

Been a bit of a rarity in recent times - but the two train service has been running all this week so far.

Could they usefully set up a captive breeding program and have a baby?

[eightonedee]

....I fear that they are now too old to breed successfully!

[Birdie100]

Slightly off topic but it was a delight to ride on the old trains over the August Bank Holiday. I managed to use my downgraded Gold Card between Ryde Esplanade and Ryde St Johns (and benefit from the Gold Card discount for onward travel to Shanklin!) Was a wonderful experience to ride a tube train after what is now 6 months since the daily commute to London was drastically cut!

[bobm]

From SWR Journeycheck

We have been informed that one of the two trains on the Island Line has been vandalised overnight. This meant that only one train would be able to run on the Island Line today. That train has now developed a fault, meaning there will be no service until further notice.

Roll on the ?new? trains. 

[grahame]

From SWR Journeycheck

We have been informed that one of the two trains on the Island Line has been vandalised overnight. This meant that only one train would be able to run on the Island Line today. That train has now developed a fault, meaning there will be no service until further notice.

Roll on the ?new? trains. 

I can't help wondering where the basic principle of "you need to have a workable spare" has gone.  For a two train service, a third undergoing light maintenance able to step in seems prudent.  In an area like The Valleys, West Wales or Cornwall, the spare could be shared between lines.

I can't help but wonder at the three class 483 trains (at least) lying out of use at Ryde St John's Road - I suspect cannibalised for spares and I suspect there are certain parts in (very) short supply ... wondering if a third one should have been kept in service.  Indeed - run as a 4 coach train on the service that connects with the ferry when practical, to sort out the social distancing which has not been at all good on the pier!

With lockdown in November, and then the lead up to Christmas, I suspect that we're into the 'wind down' of IOW traffic for these trains.  I enjoyed my visit last month, and look forward positive to visiting again, perhaps next year, to travel on more modern and larger trains - both of those terms being relative, of course.