Isle of Wight Class 483 arrives at Cynheidre
THE first of two ex-London Transport tube trains acquired by the London Transport Traction Group (LTTG), arrived at the Llanelli & Mynydd Mawr Railway (L&MMR) on October 22. The former Island Line two-car unit, No. 483006, was hauled from Ryde St Johns Road to Sandown, Isle of Wight by new Vivarail Class 484 unit No. 484004 on October 20 (RM Nov p9). Following arrival in South Wales by road, it was soon being prepared for use as Santa’s grotto for his visit on December 4/5. This was the last Island Line Class 483 operated on the final day of the type’s use on January 3, and the last of the type to leave its long-time base at Ryde St Johns Road. The LTTG was set up in order to secure one of these veteran trains for preservation, and acquired two, the other being No. 438008 due to arrive at Cynheidre later in the winter. It is currently safely stored on a siding at Sandown station. Restoration towards an eventual return to passenger use will be undertaken with one of the cars from set No. 008 adapted to carry batteries to provide power in place of its third-rail pick-up.