Ex-LU stock earmarked for the Isle of Wight

RAIL 888 reported the excellent news regarding Vivarail’s five two-car Class 484 trains for the Isle of Wight, and I thought readers might appreciate further detail.

Although the ex-District Line D78 stock was sub-surface, not Tube stock, they were unique in having bogies with smaller wheels. Indeed, the bogies are the same size as the 1983 Tube stock built for the Jubilee Line. This was instrumental in allowing future use through Ryde Tunnel.

Incidentally, contrary to what was said, the 1938 Bakerloo stock does have connecting doors between cars, but they’re only for the use of guards.

It’s a misconception that the current track layout only allows a 20/40 minute frequency. It allows every 20 minutes and occasionally has that for special events. The problem is that the normal traffic only merits twice-hourly, but the layout doesn’t permit half-hourly.

Earlier plans would have offered something far more basic: a single line throughout with a passing loop at Brading. Platforms 1 & 2 at Ryde St Johns Road were to have been handed over to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, together with the Up line from there to Smallbrook Junction, which would then have been connected to the steam line.

This would have prevented the Island Line service from ever increasing in frequency again. However, under the new proposals the Brading loop will be built and the rest of the infrastructure retained, thereby allowing halfhourly or every 20 minutes.

IoW Steam Railway could still reach Ryde, but only with top-and-tail trains. They are upset at this as it would be too expensive, but I feel they have misunderstood the reasons. What would the Office of Rail & Road’s (ORR’s) reaction be to wooden-bodied rolling stock alongside a third rail, or trains with swing doors running alongside the Island Line track without central door locking?

The ORR certainly indicated that it would not allow steam locomotives to run round a train over third rail, since the fireman or a shunter would need to be down on the track to uncouple and couple.

Finally, to the Pier. The redundant track used to carry shuttles to Ryde Esplanade at busy times. But the subway at Esplanade frequently flooded, so was filled in and the Down platform taken out of use after shuttles were discontinued.

However, it seems two platforms at the Pier Head might be retained. This would allow units to be switched in service during the day. Currently when this happens passengers have to change trains at Ryde St Johns Road.