Thursday 12th September 2024 What is going on with the Isle of Wight's railway? The Island Line’s first closure of recent times was between 4th January and 1st November 2021. Originally billed to last three months with a March reopening, it dragged on through the summer season and lasted for a total of 10 months.... Continue Reading →
Thursday 9th May 2024 Rail companies which bought into the Vivarail idea of refurbished London Underground D78 stock becoming diesel/battery Class 230 and electric Class 484 trains in their new guise haven’t had a lot of luck with their purchases. The idea sounded good when first mooted by the late Adrian Shooter who founded Vivarail... Continue Reading →
Tuesday 2nd November 2021 It’s taken over six months longer than planned but after a £26 million upgrade and four of the five ‘new’ two-coach trains delivered it’s good to see the Island Line up and running again between Ryde Pier and Shanklin on the Isle of Wight. I won’t repeat my thoughts expressed when... Continue Reading →
Saturday 13th February 2021 I was uncertain whether this week’s ‘word of the week’ is ‘Darcy’ or ‘uncertain’. I plumped for the former as there seems to be so much uncertainty about the latter, especially when it comes to whether Cabinet Ministers reckon we should all be booking our summer holidays. Turns out we shouldn't,... Continue Reading →
Sunday 3rd January 2021 Today marks the end of a train era on the Isle of Wight as the Island Line's infamous former Underground stock dating from 1938 is finally retired after 82 years front line service. They're by far the oldest trains running on the national network. Like a lot of people I enjoy... Continue Reading →
Saturday 11th July 2020 I found yesterday afternoon's tweet from Southern Vectis so positive and inviting it encouraged me to pop over today and have a mini wander around the Isle of Wight. The Government’s Test & Trace app trial may have been a flop but it’s always a pleasure to visit the Island to... Continue Reading →
BusAndTrainUser 