Three steps to a smoother Island Line
Regarding Paul Clifton’s article on the Island Line ( RAIL 818), the future of our humble little railway really is something of an enigma. There are no clear plans, no investment strategies, and no quick and easy fixes.
The main dilemma is infrastructure. The quality of the track is awful, the maintenance arrangements between Network Rail and South West Trains are hazy at best, the requirement to have full main line signalling means that a lot of money will need to be spent on substantial upgrades in the near future, the tunnel at Ryde generates a whole host of problems (not least the restrictions on suitable rolling stock), and there is insufficient power in the third rail. On top of this, we have the issue of our 79-year-old rolling stock.
Chris Garnett’s suggestion of conversion to a tramway is definitely a step in the right direction. However, this would risk losing the expertise and investment provided by the South Western franchise.
To my mind, there are three steps which need to be taken to resolve the line’s key issues and to get things running smoothly and securely for the future.
Minimisation of infrastructure: Reduce the line to a single track with a single passing loop at Brading. Simplify the signalling accordingly, remove the third rail and sell off extra assets, such as the land around Sandown station.
Replacement of rolling stock: Purchase a low-cost, easy to maintain solution that does not require additional infrastructure to be installed. Perhaps something based on the Class 139s used on the Stourbridge branch? ■ Secure investment: Include specific details in the new South Western franchise about how much investment the Island Line must receive, what must be achieved, and detail exactly which organisations are responsible for which elements of maintenance.
This final step is perhaps the most important. Unless the new franchisee is given minimum requirements of what needs to be done, we are likely to continue seeing a shrugging of shoulders while our railway continues to fall to bits.
Adam Palfrey, Isle of Wight