The first photos of the brand new Island Line trains, which are currently being built by Vivarail in the Midlands, have now been released.
In September 2019, South Western Railway announced £26m of investment in Island Line that would see the Class 483 replaced by Vivarail’s Class 484 trains, as well as improvements in infrastructure allowing for a trains service at regular 30 minute intervals.
The Class 484 trains will operate between Ryde Pier Head and Shanklin and will replace the former 1938 underground stock.
South Western Railway has shared photographs of the build process ahead of the first train arriving on the Isle of Wight later this year – date to be confirmed.
The ‘new’ trains are technically, 42-years-old. The 1978 former London District Line stock has been completely overhauled by Vivarail and run on bogies from the 2000s. This is a stark contrast to the current trains being used on the Isle of Wight which are older than some of the trains running on heritage steam railways.
The new trains will provide more capacity, better accessibility, USB charging, passenger information systems and onboard wifi. They will also allow the guard to easily pass between carriages to collect fares. As photographed above, the new trains have been fitted with a snow plough to clear debris from the tracks.
Five sets of 2-car trains have been ordered with each train able to accommodate up to around 188 people – a mix of 106 people standing and 86 seated. During peak times, a total of 4 carriages can be run as a single train giving a capacity of around 376 people.
Previously, it was said that the new trains would be running to a new Island Line timetable from May 2021 onwards, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, this is likely to be pushed back.
Track enhancements will improve the quality of the ride, platforms will be upgraded to improve access to the Class 484 trains, and new ticket vending machines will be installed at Shanklin, Sandown and Ryde St John’s Road.
Rail replacement buses will be in operation and a minibus will operate up and down Ryde Pier – which will be particularly important during the wet months.
IOW Rail Map
Wightlink Ferry Routes
Proposed Island Line Upgrade Programme (as of September 2019)
Late 2019-2020 Build of new Vivarail Class 484 trains begins at Long Marston, Midlands
Late 2019 onwards Design and planning work for Island Line infrastructure
April 2020 Testing begins on first Class 484 Island Line unit
Spring 2020 Wifi and Ticket Machines installed at stations (not yet completed)
Summer 2020 First Class 484 train arrives on the Isle of Wight for testing (now delayed until September)
October/November 2020 More new Class 484 carriages arrive on the Isle of Wight (expected to be delayed)
Winter 2020/2021 Disruption during infrastructure works – shuttle service in operation
February 2021 Final new Class 484 carriages delivered
March 2021 Last 1938 stock Island Line train decommissioned
May 2021 Brand new timetable introduced with new trains
Late 2019-2020 Build of new Vivarail Class 484 trains begins at Long Marston, Midlands
Late 2019 onwards Design and planning work for Island Line infrastructure
April 2020 Testing begins on first Class 484 Island Line unit
Spring 2020 Wifi and Ticket Machines installed at stations (not yet completed)
Summer 2020 First Class 484 train arrives on the Isle of Wight for testing (now delayed until September)
October/November 2020 More new Class 484 carriages arrive on the Isle of Wight (expected to be delayed)
Winter 2020/2021 Disruption during infrastructure works – shuttle service in operation
February 2021 Final new Class 484 carriages delivered
March 2021 Last 1938 stock Island Line train decommissioned
May 2021 Brand new timetable introduced with new trains
