Island Line (IOW)

[90sWereBetter]

I remember riding up and down the line on a family holiday a few years ago, and whilst the section between St John's Road and the Pier Head is double track, only one track and platform is used at the Esplanade and Pier Head stations. Is there any plan to bring these back into use, or do passenger/service levels mean that the current arrangement is adequate?

 

[Buttsy]

As far as I understand, the other track at Ryde was used for the Peir Head shuttle in the summer. It was used in the 80s as I remember catching one in 81 or 82. There is no need for such a shuttle these days and so I think it's only used when work is carried out on the other track.

 

[Tomnick]

Trains from Ryde St Johns can only access the second line via a double shunt, so it's not really viable to use it for through trains under any circumstances - and I doubt that loadings nowadays justify a shuttle in addition to the existing service (although 40' is a long time to wait if you've just missed one!).

 

[WestRiding]

who actually employs the signallers these days, does network rail have anything to do with this line anymore?

 

[theshillito]

who actually employs the signallers these days, does network rail have anything to do with this line anymore?

I believe it's all self-contained, including infrastructure. They even bought the trains outright from the leasing company.

 

[Tomnick]

The signalmen are certainly employed by Island Line (or at least they were, when we visited three or four years ago), and the day-to-day maintenance (PW and S&T) was carried out by the same. My understanding is that Network Rail are still involved in the heavier stuff though.

 

[Strathclyder]

I believe it's all self-contained, including infrastructure. They even bought the trains outright from the leasing company.

For £1, if I remember rightly.

 

[Carlisle]

For £1, if I remember rightly.

Would have surely made sense to have brought some of the 1983 tube stock over there rather than scrapping them ,the present fleet must be close to being totally life expired

 

[starrymarkb]

Fresh air and rain caused enough corrosion issues on the 1983 stock, which is why LUL dumped them. They wouldn't last long on the Pier!

 

[BestWestern]

For £1, if I remember rightly.

Would have surely made sense to have brought some of the 1983 tube stock over there rather than scrapping them ,the present fleet must be close to being totally life expired

They're kept in very good condition, and there don't ever appear to be any major mechanical issues affecting the operation. Whilst replacement is a constant suggestion, bear in mind that whatever else comes over will be far from new, and will involve very significant cost - cost which the income from such a limited operation may not justify. If the 38s are still up to the job there is very little reason to fiddle with things.

From a purely enthusiast point of view it is surely a superb haven amongst the increasingly bland modern rail environment?! Having lost the wonderful Blackpool tramway, Island Line is quite possibly unique in offering such a non-standard experience for UK a public transport operation?!