A new era begins for Island Line

of Wight has welcomed back its train service following a 10-month closure of the route while a £26 million upgrading project was carried out.

The first day of operations, November 1, was beset with a series of disruptions that saw services curtailed due to signalling problems but has since settled down, with many favourable comments observed about the new trains.

Out are the elderly Class 483 trains that served the route since the late 1980s, replaced with a new fleet of five Class 484 trains supplied to Island Line operator South Western Railway by Vivarail.

At the time of writing, four of the new trains have been delivered to the Isle of Wight, with the fifth train, 484005, due to arrive in the next few weeks.

The new trains can be operated as single units, or two can be coupled for busier periods. Indeed, for the first few days of services on the reopened Island Line, 484001 and 484004 were operating as a coupled set.

Initially, an hourly service is in operation on the route. Part of the upgrading works has seen a passing loop installed at Brading station in order that service frequencies on the line can be increased to every 30 minutes, although this is not expected to be brought into use until the spring of 2022.

A host of infrastructure works have also been completed during the shutdown, including track replacement works, signalling upgrades, platform and station improvements, and the excavation of Ryde Tunnel to accommodate the new fleet.

The funding for the Island Line upgrades has come from the Department for Transport, the Isle of Wight Council and Solent Local Enterprise Partnership.

SWR’S managing director, Claire Mann, said: “We are so excited to welcome our customers back onboard, having completed the biggest upgrade to the Island Line in more than 50 years.

“From new trains to improved stations, the long list of benefits that come with this upgrade will give a real boost to the Isle of Wight’s public transport infrastructure, connecting communities and making it easier for visitors to explore the Island.”

Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely said: “I’m delighted that the new trains are finally now in operation. They have been a long time coming.

“When I was first elected as the island’s MP in 2017, the future of Island Line was uncertain. Thanks to a team effort of local campaigners, members of the previous council administration and myself, we persuaded the Government to underwrite this investment.

“I am grateful to South Western Railway and the Government for listening to us, and I am glad to see the upgrades finally come to fruition with this significant investment.

James Pilbeam On the reopening morning, November 1, 2021, 484004 and 484001 stand at Ryde Pier station. Services on the first day were disrupted due to signalling issued caused by a storm the previous day.

James Pilbeam 484003 stands at Sandown station on November 7, 2021, a week after the Island Line route reopened. This picture also shows some of the platform improvements that have been made to station infrastructure, which has seen platform heights raised and improved surfaces applied.

James Pilbeam The bright interior of the new Class 484 Island Line trains are a marked contrast with the rather antiquated interiors of their predecessors. The facilities available to passengers, such as dedicated wheelchair spaces, USB charging ports and free wi-fi, are also a significant improvement.