You did. A photo of a signal placed in the four foot on the near side line as seen from a down train was definitely posted, (or referred to), in the original upgrade thread. It was then replaced by a half height signal off the ramp of the down platform which is co-acting with the right hand signal. Signals plated WFP 34 and WFP 34 CA.
Back in the original thread you had wondered about the exact numbering/lettering, I can confirm the assumed “WFP 34 CA“ on the left hand signal is clear on the cab ride video I just watched.
The current layout was designed to allow for a shuttle from Pier Head to Esplanade.
Does this imply an acceptance that the originally intended half-hourly timetable on the full line cannot be delivered, and that alternate (peak demand) ferries will be met by a pier shuttle instead?
Indeed, but what other reason might there be for the (potential) shuttle referred to in post 6? I agree it seems very improbable. I don't think the IoWSR have any plans to try their pier tram out on the actual pier!
Both, certainly from my visits to the signal box the line is technically still there from a signalling perspective (even if it is totally impassible in reality). 33 points (from the down main to the disused line) are still detected and all the interlocking is still in place.
I've attached a rough copy of the last Pier Head diagram which I drew last month, drawn from a black and white office copy.
Not quite - the Wightlink timetable shows a half-hourly service also on bank holidays and on Saturdays and Sundays in the summer school holiday (mid-July to end -August). Not entirely reliable - last year the second boat runs were often subject to late cancellations.
The road pier isn’t strong enough to support a decent size shuttle bus. They don’t even allow large vans on the pier.
It’s maintenance of the rail pier under-structure that was planned by NR to be done independently of the line upgrade For D stock. I think the saga is discussed in the main Island Line thread in the infrastructure sub-forum.
The Island Line train which fastcat passengers connect with at the sea end of Ryde Pier is the only effective convenient comfortable way of providing public transport along Ryde Pier all the way to and from the fastcat to and from Portsmouth Harbour. I would walk the length of Ryde Pier rather than use a shuttle bus. In addition to providing transport the full length of Ryde Pier to Ryde Esplanade for Ryde town and buses connecting with everywhere else on the Isle on Wight, the Island Line train also provides direct non-stop transport to Smallbrook Junction for the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, a connection only available by train, and the resorts of Sandown and Shanklin which the train reaches in half the time taken by the bus. The train connects the about 40 percent of the Isle of Wight population in Ryde, Brading, Sandown and Shanklin as well as transporting visitors to and from the Steam Railway and the two resorts. The lack of a deep water harbour at Ryde and the resulting need for the long Pier into deep water for the ferry to Portsmouth is undoubtedly the reason this railway from Ryde Pier Head to Shanklin still exists and why I think it will have to continue to exist.
Perhaps the light rail option was a better one, but it seemed to founder on the question of through ticketing to the mainland.
IIRC its two tunnels for at least part of the way so you can’t go down the middle??
Oops yes you're right. I should have done my homework!
