Class 484 replacing class 483 on the island line: progress updates

[Chris125]

Does Brading have a high platform i.e. stepping down into the present "deep Tube" stock? The step up doesn't look massive, and that surprises me given how large it is at places on the Watford DC line shared with LU.

Yep, the platform heights at Brading and Sandown are still from the steam era - more noticeable with the Standard Stock but NSE raised the 483 bodies slightly to compensate.

 

[tom1649]

Why would they do that? They cost o fortune to maintain compared to AC kit.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Nov 2020 ==

I fully understand why they've gone for AC kit, I just prefer the sound of the old DC traction.

 

[D365]

But that’s not quite what they did here, is it? They‘ve temporarily rigged a “forklift battery“ which is standing in the vestibule, it’s nothing like the interchangeable battery or diesel raft they‘ve also referred to.

Ah, I didn't see @cav1975's message above.

 

[Peter Sarf]

That depends where you are though - it's not uncommon to hear them around depots and away from the central tube sections!



You don't have to fully yellow the front though - even rounding off the trapezium makes it look neater IMO (see attached half-hearted edit). I agree with the original post that the trapezium as it is currently cutting through the lights does look a bit odd

View attachment 86150

Your effort looks much better. Even though, as you say, its a "half-hearted" edit. Your curve is better than the slash straight through the light cluster and your curve almost mirrors the roof line which somehow looks right.

I associate the whistle with manoeuvres at the point where a unit reverses. But probably the most common for me is when a tube train goes through a station without stopping (to regulate the service) or if its an engineering train going through (in the days when I was burning the midnight oil).

 

[trebor79]

I fully understand why they've gone for AC kit, I just prefer the sound of the old DC traction.

Me too. Best place left to experience it in my view is the Glasgow Subway, very loud, as I remember the tube in the 1980s (even the remaining DC stuff on the tube doesn't sound the same to my ears).
But, AC is the only sensible choice these days for new and refurbished stock.

 

[Nym]

However, it would have been less than a couple of months of mods with the right team if the old traction equipment where been retained to change to a 2 car unit from a 3 car. Unless of course the structural mods are still required?

 

[D365]

However, it would have been less than a couple of months of mods with the right team if the old traction equipment where been retained to change to a 2 car unit from a 3 car. Unless of course the structural mods are still required?

Who knows. Perhaps SWT just didn’t have the foresight/imagination to consider the D Stock as a workable option.

Vivarail of course has put a lot of investment into their D-Train product, far more than could be afforded if Island Line had been the only post-LU destination for the carriages.

 

[Journeyman]

However, it would have been less than a couple of months of mods with the right team if the old traction equipment where been retained to change to a 2 car unit from a 3 car. Unless of course the structural mods are still required?

It also would have been somewhat short sighted, and runs the risk of what happened with the 38 stock - having to cannibalize the existing fleet in a desperate effort to find spares, ending up with only a couple of working units.

This is the very first time Island Line has been provided with anything even remotely resembling contemporary rail technology, and it's a much more sensible and sustainable solution than providing the absolute bare minimum secondhand junk you can get away with.

 

[Gloster]

It's been posted on another forum that Island Line will run hourly from 20th November to 23rd December to allow for fault free running and driver training, so the first 484 should be imminent. The line is also closed on the 5th and 6th of December for 'maintenance'.

A notice at Ryde Esplanade today (22 November) says that the service will be hourly from 12 to 24 December.

 

[Rick1984]

Nevermind heritage look, what about the bastion of NSE that is Shanklin?

 

[hermit]

That seems to be a very long commute. How much does an annual season ticket including the ferry leg cost.

The quickest way from Newport to London is usually via Southern Vectis no. 1 to Cowes and then the Redjet to Southampton for the Waterloo train (considerably faster trains than those from Portsmouth). A reopened Newport-Ryde rail line would not be able to better that.

There are (or were before lockdown) quite a few commuters from the island to London. I once talked to someone who commuted daily from Ventnor to Ealing Broadway, which was no doubt an extreme case. Apart from the time/cost involved, the wearing factor would be the constant worry whether the connection at Portsmouth Harbour would be made, given the unreliability of trains leaving Waterloo in the evening peak. A missed ferry would mean a wait of an hour (or, after 2120, an hour and a half). That wouldn’t have to happen more than a few times for me to be looking for a different job or home.

 

[Wolfie]

People might find the images in this article interesting.

Refurbished London Underground trains arrive on the Isle of Wight

The first new train for the Isle of Wight arrived on the island this week, marking a major milestone in the upgrade to the Island Line.

www.railadvent.co.uk

 

[Jamdougnut]

This may be of interest:

Note: It was taken before it arrived on the island

 

[swt_passenger]

This may be of interest:

Note: It was taken before it arrived on the island

This was also posted (via Facebook) and discussed a few pages back, starting in #634.

 

[D365]

Note: It was taken before it arrived on the island

Goes (almost) without saying; that was filmed and uploaded by an old friend at Long Marston

 

[vlad]

I think the new livery is suitably dignified and very attractive. But no doubt in 20 years time some branding whizz-kid will suggest the stock is repainted to give the authentic District Line experience.

Does that mean bare metal?

 

[Mag_seven]

Just a gentle reminder that this thread is to specifically discuss the replacement of the Class 483 with the class 484s.

I have split off some posts that were discussing Class 483 history and liveries to this new thread in the history and nostalgia section:

(1) Class 483 (Island Line) Historical Discussion (Including Liveries) | RailUK Forums (railforums.co.uk)

 

[lttgroup]

Regarding the earlier comment about the last 483s being removed from the Island, we (www.lttractiongroup.co.uk) were informed this evening that our unit will be handed over to us most likely in March which may suggest an intention to retain the best couple of 483s until the 484s are successfully commissioned.

If anyone's interested our unit has been confirmed as most likely being 483006, but as this is the 484 thread...

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I have to say it seems to be looking fairly good for the Island Line, the 484s have appeared considerably faster than I had expected. They look great and give the Island a feel of a proper railway at last. Hopefully the heritage green signs will be removed from the platforms. Save that for the branch off of Smallbrook!

 

[D365]

I have to say it seems to be looking fairly good for the Island Line, the 484s have appeared considerably faster than I had expected.

Only a few months late, which is excusable in the current climate!

 

[jumble]

I have no inside information, but it is possible that one set might be kept running for testing work due to the reported late delivery of the new sets. I believe that there are going to be alterations to platform heights for the new sets, so there seems to be no possibility that they would be used for passengers after the line closes for rebuilding at the beginning of January. On the other hand, it could just be the paper getting confused.

Is this situation any different to the status quo on TFL between Queens Park and Harrow and Wealdstone or Acton town to Ealing Common or Rayners lane to Uxbridge where differences in platform heights between surface stock and tube stock trains make no difference to anyone ?

 

[swt_passenger]

Is this situation any different to the status quo on TFL between Queens Park and Harrow and Wealdstone or Acton town to Ealing Common or Rayners lane to Uxbridge where differences in platform heights between surface stock and tube stock trains make no difference to anyone ?

But then it‘s all about so called “grandfather rights” - although your example areas have them, Island Line won’t be allowed to start now...

 

[trebor79]

The platforms are long enough to keep part at the lower height if necessary until all of the new stock is ready. Then you can modify the remainder of the platform.

 

[Bletchleyite]

But then it‘s all about so called “grandfather rights” - although your example areas have them, Island Line won’t be allowed to start now...

I'd expect derogations to be issued for a transitional period as long as it isn't permanent. Particularly if the end game is level boarding, which I believe it is?

 

[The_Van]

A notice at Ryde Esplanade today (22 November) says that the service will be hourly from 12 to 24 December.

According to the journey planner the last 2 train service is on this Sunday. Everything after that appears hourly.

I was coming over on the 5th December for the 2 train service but that weekend is buses!

 

[DavidGrain]

Island Line also has Grandfather rights but if you are closing the line for infrastructure it makes sense to do the platform alterations in one go. Even if all five trains are not ready for March, I would expect that three will be ready which is what you require for a two trains in service timetable.

 

[Chris125]

006 has had enough sadly, she's joined 004 in the down siding beyond the bridge. Seems 007 is the priority now, fingers crossed they can keep the job going till she's ready...

Railways of the Isle of Wight | After its failure 006 is currently stabled just north of St | Facebook

After its failure 006 is currently stabled just north of St. John's Station with unit 004.

www.facebook.com

 

[Bob Price]

Night testing due to begin. https://www.islandecho.co.uk/new-trains-to-undergo-night-testing-from-monday/

 

[Chris125]

The good news is that James has filmed 484001 moving about the Works on the 3rd rail this morning... the bad news is that 008, the only unit in passenger use, had an exam today and it found an issue. Fingers crossed it's not terminal...

 

[jumble]

The good news is that James has filmed 484001 moving about the Works on the 3rd rail this morning... the bad news is that 008, the only unit in passenger use, had an exam today and it found an issue. Fingers crossed it's not terminal...

SWR Live Departures website suggests that she will be back by close of play Sunday
Fingers crossed as I am going to visit next Friday