November opening for Island Line
SOUTH Western Railway has announced the Isle of Wight’s railway is set to reopen on November 1, subject to a final round of train safety tests being successfully completed.
The Island Line has been closed since January for infrastructure improvement works and the commissioning of new Vivarail Class 484 third-rail EMUs to replace the ailing Class 483 units, which were based on former London Underground 1938 Stock.
New tracks have been laid along parts of the 8½-mile route from Ryde Pier Head to Shanklin to smooth the ride, while the passing loop at Brading has been reinstalled to allow for a regular 30-minute service frequency.
The service had previously run at intervals of 20 and 40 minutes due to the limitations of the track layout. Station platforms have also been raised to allow level access to the new trains.
The £26 million project was due to be completed in March, but has been delayed due to problems found while testing the ‘484s’, ongoing effects of the pandemic, and flash flooding earlier this summer.
During the closure, the service has been covered by replacement buses.
‘483s’ to Wales
The two former Island Line Class 483s now owned by the London Transport Traction Group (LTTG) are due to move to a new home at the Llanelli & Mynydd Mawr Railway over the coming winter. It is believed Nos. 483006 and 483008 will therefore become the first former Tube trains to be based in Wales.
No. 483006 may be opened to visitors soon after its arrival, but No. 483008 requires significant work to it first – although the LTTG hopes to eventually fit it with batteries so it can run in service selfpowered again.