Why?

[Bittern]

On the Island Line between Ryde Esplanade and Ryde St Johns Road, it's double track, yet trains seem to operate only on one side of that track, meaning that one track is bi-directional and trains just ignore the other side. Why is this?

 

[Tomnick]

As the diagram shows, the other line isn't accessible directly from St. Johns; a shunt is required at Esplanade. I believe the layout was signalled as such to allow a unit to be 'shut inside' on the second single line to shuttle back and forth between Esplanade and Pier Head, while the units on the Shanklin service use the 'current' single line from Esplanade.

(http://www.anorakheaven.com/misc.htm)

 

[Bittern]

Thanks. Does the shuttle service still run?

 

[Tomnick]

No, not sure when it ceased. The only service onto the pier now is the 2tph to Ryde, conveniently at 20'/40' intervals (a consequence of the constraints of the single line, signalled specifically to allow a 3tph service passing between St Johns and Smallbrook, and again at Sandown)

 

[Greenback]

Was there a 3tph service in 1992? I seem to remember there was, but no shuttle on the pier!

 

[westcoaster]

Was there a 3tph service in 1992? I seem to remember there was, but no shuttle on the pier!

i believe you are correct i remember as a kid traveling from one end to the other, you used to pass 2 other units in one journey one at sandown and one at ryde st johns?

 

[wibble]

Was there a 3tph service in 1992? I seem to remember there was, but no shuttle on the pier!

There might've been demand for 3 services back then!

The passenger numbers for the Island Line are falling each year so you can expect an hourly service (or no service!) in the future....

 

[thefab444]

Worth remembering that when the 483s came into service, there were 9 operational units (and one spare), which would've easily allowed a 3tph service in the summer with all trains formed of 2 units. Nowadays there are 6 units left, and only 5 of those are operational!

I don't know when the Pier Shuttle was pulled, but I don't remember the other platform at Ryde Pier Head/Esplanade being used regularly after about 1999-2000.

 

[Greenback]

There might've been demand for 3 services back then!

The passenger numbers for the Island Line are falling each year so you can expect an hourly service (or no service!) in the future....

I have to say I'm not really surprised! We were on the island in February, and the bus service seems really good! The buses appear to be quit enew, rather than 70 odd years old like the trains. They run about every 15 mins between Shanklin, Sandown and Ryde, frequently on to ventnor and Newport, and also provide a good service on the west of the island.

To be honest, I'm surprised anyone uses the two car ex tube stock. Were it not for the pier head station and the convenience for passengers from Portmsouth, i doubt anyone would!

 

[Bittern]

When I was on the Island with my Family on Holiday all through the 90s and early 2000s, the train was primarily how we got around, however, due to the extreme lack of railways on the island these days, we had to use plenty of buses too. Sucks.

 

[charlesn132]

Does anyone know why they used 1938 stock instead of the newer 1983 stock? I know it it off topic a bit.

 

[Trog]

Slightly off topic but does anyone know why they chose 1938 stock instead of 1983 stock?

Typo?

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Slightly off topic but does anyone know why they chose 1938 stock instead of 1983 stock?

Maybe for the history, or something regarding guages/clearences? The line was singled when the half-hourly service was introduced, and RPH & Esp became unstaffed

My 500th post

 

[moonrakerz]

Slightly off topic but does anyone know why they chose 1938 stock instead of 1983 stock?

Clearances through Ryde tunnel I believe.

 

[9K43]

I used this railway in September last year to ride up and down on.
In some places you rock and roll a bit, but after riding in a Shark Brake Van a few hundred times its very smooth.
Whilst on the I of W I passed the test for my Free Bus Pass, eg 60 years.
I recon they made a huge mistake ripping the heart out of this wonderful bit of railway.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Slightly off topic but does anyone know why they chose 1938 stock instead of 1983 stock?

The 1938s were sent over in 1989 / 1990.

The Jubilee Line did not receive the new stock which displaced the 1983s ( and 1972s! ) until 1996 - 1998.

 

[charlesn132]

Maybe for the history, or something regarding guages/clearences? The line was singled when the half-hourly service was introduced, and RPH & Esp became unstaffed

My 500th post

Clearances through Ryde tunnel I believe.

The 1938s were sent over in 1989 / 1990.

The Jubilee Line did not receive the new stock which displaced the 1983s ( and 1972s! ) until 1996 - 1998.

Thank you for the info