Some unfinished business on the IoW and "new" Island Line trains.

[whole diary]

[johnneyw]

There's no point in doing a "where was I" quiz as Coffee Shoppers would know the location immediately.
Three years ago, my bargain day trip to the IoW including hovercraft (about £25 from Bristol return) was frustrated by bad weather cancelling the crossing. Happily, I had a full refund and essentially a free day out on Portsea Island.
Move to 2022 and I managed to bag another bargain day return to the IoW for less than £30.  This time my ambition of travelling by hovercraft was fulfilled and now, Island Line had there "new" rolling stock which I just had to try out.
The line and stations have also seen work done on them and the notoriously bumpy ride has definitely been improved although still not quite as smooth as I expected.
The station platforms have been raised where necessary by means of ramps on the pre existing surfaces which, while perfectly functional, do give a semi permanent impression.
As for the rolling stock, the Vivarail reconditioned ex TfL^» (Transport for London - about) DStock are a clear improvement on the old 1930s (now) museum pieces.  I can't compare the Island Line stock to other Vivarail conversions as I've not been on them but the IoW ones have a modern look while still retaining some of the feel of the original DStock.... perhaps reinforced by their 3rd rail power supply and lack of Vivarail's modular power units.
Some pictures below.
BTW^▸ ('by the way'), the Hoverbus from the station in Portsmouth to the Hoverport isn't quite as cool as the name might suggest!