It's actually nothing short of a miracle that the service has survived to this point. I live in Scotland so a trip to the island is quite a major undertaking, but I was there over New Year 2019/20 with my son. We were keen to go sooner rather than later, as I was convinced the last trains in working order would terminally conk out before their official withdrawal date. Although they've managed to keep things just about going, the amount of cancellations and days with either one or no trains operating has gone through the roof, and that can't carry on. The 483s have been falling to pieces for years, the track was a mess, the passing loops were in the wrong places...the list goes on. Major failures have generally been dealt with by trying to cope without whatever has failed! That technique can only go so far.
I'm glad I took my trip when I did, as obviously COVID followed, and made a trip later on impossible. I'll miss the old feel of the line, but complaining about the new stock "lacking character" is a bit ridiculous. What is the railway actually for, and can we seriously expect the current fleet to limp on any longer? There's only so many miracles you can work with stuff this old.