Isle of Wight Steam Railway

I’d suggest 4 miles was a bit short, rather than ideal. Passengers like a decent run.

Any news on when Island Line reopens? I’m planning a trip to the IOWSR and would like to combine with a trip on the 484s.

 

Island line might be ready to re open in September, at least that's the target I'm thinking of making another trip over this year, It now works out to be an very expensive day trip for me though, ,unlike in my youth, when i could get a ticket from Woking, to Shanklin and it was about £8.00 with a railcard, but that was back in the late 70's when you got on a proper ferry, and there was still passing loops at all stations, 7 car trains, and both platforms in use at Ryde Pier head.

 

This thread is developing its own form of extension fever''. From what I can gather Peak Rail tends to be dispute prone. Not good whatever the size.

 

Indeed, which implies that the success or failure of a railway has little to do with its length; you can have successful short railways, successful long railways, and unsuccessful short railways and unsuccessful long railways.

 

Ironic that the Island Line is unlikely to reopen this summer - the reason back in 1965 when refusing to allow closure of the whole island system was that the line from Ryde to Shanklin was necessary to cope with crowds of holidaymakers on summer Saturdays!

 

Yes, indeed. I think that the best short lines though are those that exploit what they have and maximise the quality of the visitor experience. It isn’t the length, it’s what you do with it!

It’s important for a railway to have a good, commercially focussed management team that is fully engaged with its supporters, but as a line gets longer the costs and liabilities do scale up. Different points of view and internal debates are healthy, as long as all parties have a fair hearing and recognise the need to put a railway’s best interests ahead of personal preferences.

We don’t really have disputes at Peak Rail because the North Korean inspired management team doesn’t actually allow them. It’s the Dear Leader’s way or no way. The IoWSR seems a haven of common sense and tranquility in comparison...And your WIBN line extension is looking way more realistic than PR’s at the moment!

 

Indeed. If the traffic levels in the 1960s were the same as they are now, then the whole line would have been closed.

Interesting to note that in 1967 they managed to fully convert the line from steam to electric operation, and have it open again within 3 months. In 2021 they are introducing some new trains with some some track and resignalling works, and it’s going to take them more like 9 months.

 

SWR actually say "later on the summer"
https://www.southwesternrailway.com...pril/train-issues-delay-island-line-reopening
so could be sooner, depends on how good the Vivarail software coders are at correcting and testing the software.
Like the new SWR Bombardier class 701 trains, covid has also delayed the testing and training programmes.

Quick question on the 38 stock is it to be just a static display or will there be occasional runs out on track with a diesel loco?.

 

Still significantly longer than the original conversion of the line to electric operation took. I guess that’s what happens when software is involved! The standard stock introduced in 1967 was much simpler.

483007 is being put on static display in Train Story, with displays and videos about the electric era on the Island being installed in it. However it is also being maintained in working order, with the option of running it on batteries/generator or pulled by a diesel being kept open for the future.

 

Thanks

 

008 sitting in the old Newport line platform at Sandown - you can clearly see how steam-era platform heights aren't an issue here.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=4412608505416364&set=a.449791298364791

 

Depends on which end of which Island station's platform you mean:

[HC Casserley image, courtesy ERNIES Railway Site, of two platform heights at Freshwater]

Edited to clarify copyright

 

Clearly then, some of the island's platforms, were almost tube sized , Are there any plans to at one point run a gauging trip for 007, to ensure she don't foul with any structures and to ensure she will clear each platform face .

 

I’d imagine that would only happen if any plans materialise to run it on the line. Until then there seems little point.

 

Probably at a gala, then there could be "mind the gap" announcements.

 

The recently delivered Ryde Pier tram

 

Judging from video clips on Facebook, this is a surprisingly quiet running vehicle aided by the brand new power unit kindly donated by Perkins Engines. In contrast the Klaxon horn contributes to a ''flatulent duchess'' effect as when fitted to prewar luxury cars.

 

That seems to have been a feature of much of Drewry's output. It was certainly commented upon with regard to the WC&P's 'small' railcar ...... and the sound will give PW staff and photographic types a heads-up what's coming!!

Enquiry: Is this amazing resuscitation passed for light passenger work, or will it be a 'high days and holidays working demonstration' only exhibit?

Congratulations to all involved in producing this wonderful addition to the railway's unique collection and thanks to Gary for posting that photo.

 

I’m not exactly sure how much use it will get but I’m sure it will be more than high days and holidays. It will be of more use when the trailer car is completed, it’s completed chassis is currently in Train Story.

 

What a fantastic achievement! A quirky machine and useful too, especially when the trailer is completed.