Class 484 replacing class 483 on the island line: progress updates

[Irascible]

In effect this work is being done for the next 30+ years. It therefore seems to me to be worth doing it well, so the line and its stations will require few if any repairs in that time.

One would think if they're doing it over the long term they'd lower the track back down again instead ( I'm assuming it was raised when the tube stock first turned up ).

 

[AndyW33]

I'm not sure that the track was lowered (and indeed don't see how that would be possible at Pier Head). before the tube stock, there were just the Edwardian non-corridor coaches with footboards.

 

[Journeyman]

I'm not sure that the track was lowered (and indeed don't see how that would be possible at Pier Head). before the tube stock, there were just the Edwardian non-corridor coaches with footboards.

Pier Head was significantly rebuilt as part of electrification, with a completely altered layout. The platform/track heights were altered at that time.

 

[swt_passenger]

One would think if they're doing it over the long term they'd lower the track back down again instead ( I'm assuming it was raised when the tube stock first turned up ).

They have lowered the track at Brading, and Sandown. Presumably they have chosen the appropriate solution for each location? But this discussion is probably repeating what’s in the infrastructure thread...

 

[Bob Price]

There is a picture posted on Twitter showing one of the two carriages in the air being craned away. Guessing this is 002. https://twitter.com/daggersfan/status/1376855093908287489?s=19

 

[47444]

There is a picture posted on Twitter showing one of the two carriages in the air being craned away. Guessing this is 002. https://twitter.com/daggersfan/status/1376855093908287489?s=19

More photos here: https://www.islandecho.co.uk/all-ch...-483s-depart-ryde-st-johns-for-the-last-time/

 

[Nogoohwell]

hope someone saves the cabs off the ones being scraped, seems a waste if not.....id have had one in the garden

I would have the cab of one as the front of my shed!
Actually this is a bloody good business idea. Take train cabs and turn them into a shed. I'm thinking class 442's and anything with a gangway door would be perfect.

 

[VEP3417]

now theres an idea......seems to be quite a bit of interior stuff left inside as well. old hand rails/partitions ect, all worth money to enthusiasts, never understand why a lot of train stuff isnt sold off before scrapping, make more money on top of the scrap value

 

[Gloster]

Fifteen years or so ago German railways were offering old buffers for sale; they had been cleaned and polished up. Suggested uses included as a garden seat.

 

[Bob Price]

In the mid 70's Swindon had a Warship taken from the scrap queue and allowed enthusiasts to gut it as part of an open day at Swindon works. Wouldn't be allowed today, but I agree, gutting a 483 of sellable parts even if it raised money for charity.

 

[richardlong]

I'm not sure that the track was lowered (and indeed don't see how that would be possible at Pier Head). before the tube stock, there were just the Edwardian non-corridor coaches with footboards.

Prior to the introduction of tube stock in 1967 the track at Pier Head was raised to suit the new trains, while the platforms at Esplanade were lowered. The other stations were left as they had been, although some were evidently adjusted over the following decades - Brading, for example, was never at the right height for the tube stock.

Smallbrook and Lake of course were added later and so were built at the correct height for tube stock.

 

[Gloster]

I had a look at the new decking at Esplanade today, including an uncovered end. It looks to me to be of the standard that is designed for temporary installations, rather than permanent use. It will be interesting to see whether it copes satisfactorily with long-term usage, or whether in a couple of years it will have to be replaced as it has cracked and warped too much for safety.

 

[Marlin]

I have been wondering how long it will be before Sandown station will be singled .

Can’t see SWR keeping platform 2 open and the associated costs when it’s not needed and not sure there is enough new stock nor demand for a 20 minute survive

 

[47444]

More photos here: https://www.islandecho.co.uk/all-ch...-483s-depart-ryde-st-johns-for-the-last-time/

I know its my own post, but I have now had a closer look at these photos and videos. It looks as though the 'craning out' was of more than just one class 483 unit. Can anyone help with a) how many and which units are involved and b) where they are heading?

 

[bramling]

I know its my own post, but I have now had a closer look at these photos and videos. It looks as though the 'craning out' was of more than just one class 483 unit. Can anyone help with a) how many and which units are involved and b) where they are heading?

So far units 483002 and 009 have been lifted out. They are destined for return to the mainland (think they may already have made the crossing), and are believed to be heading for scrap. Booths has been mentioned, but can’t confirm that.

As far as is known the rest are for preservation.

 

[47444]

So far units 483002 and 009 have been lifted out. They are destined for return to the mainland (think they may already have made the crossing), and are believed to be heading for scrap. Booths has been mentioned, but can’t confirm that.

As far as is known the rest are for preservation.

Thanks.

I had not noted that 004 was being preserved.

 

[bramling]

Thanks.

I had not noted that 004 was being preserved.

It *seems* to be the case that it is, if rumours are to be believed.

 

[47444]

It *seems* to be the case that it is, if rumours are to be believed.

Thanks

 

[Chris125]

I have been wondering how long it will be before Sandown station will be singled .

Can’t see SWR keeping platform 2 open and the associated costs when it’s not needed and not sure there is enough new stock nor demand for a 20 minute survive

Don't forget SWR only lease the infrastructure, significant rationalisation is surely a matter for Network Rail. As the electrics controlling the loop are being replaced it will probably remain for a while yet.

Prior to the introduction of tube stock in 1967 the track at Pier Head was raised to suit the new trains, while the platforms at Esplanade were lowered. The other stations were left as they had been, although some were evidently adjusted over the following decades - Brading, for example, was never at the right height for the tube stock.

It was much more obvious with the Standard Stock - new or modified platforms were built to their height, the others had an obvious step. The 483s were a compromise height so the difference is a lot less obvious, hence the understandable confusion.

 

[Journeyman]

It was much more obvious with the Standard Stock - new or modified platforms were built to their height, the others had an obvious step. The 483s were a compromise height so the difference is a lot less obvious, hence the understandable confusion.

483s and Standard stock board at the same height. In Underground days there were both 1938 and 1960 Stock units with Standard stock trailers in them, and the floor heights were all the same.

 

[Chris125]

No issue with stepping height at Ryde St Johns! Thanks to James for recording this.

483s and Standard stock board at the same height. In Underground days there were both 1938 and 1960 Stock units with Standard stock trailers in them, and the floor heights were all the same.

True, but 483s were modified quite extensively by NSE and it seems this was one of the changes made - not much, perhaps 2-3 inches, but just enough to reduce the worst stepping heights as can be seen below:


Island Line Class 483 by EUPARO（ゆーぱろ）, on Flickr

485041 Ryde Pier Head by Tony Walmsley, on Flickr

Ryde Pier Head by Kevin McGowan, on Flickr

Capacity Load from Pier Head by leylandbus, on Flickr

The down platform at Sandown must have been ridiculous before the 483s came along...

 

[MotCO]

No issue with stepping height at Ryde St Johns! Thanks to James for recording this.

True, but 483s were modified quite extensively by NSE and it seems this was one of the changes made - not much, perhaps 2-3 inches, but just enough to reduce the worst stepping heights as can be seen below:


Island Line Class 483 by EUPARO（ゆーぱろ）, on Flickr

485041 Ryde Pier Head by Tony Walmsley, on Flickr

Ryde Pier Head by Kevin McGowan, on Flickr

Capacity Load from Pier Head by leylandbus, on Flickr

The down platform at Sandown must have been ridiculous before the 483s came along...

Was the canopy at Ryde St Johns adjusted for the new trains - from the video, there doesn't seem to be much clearance, unless it is just the angle of the video?

 

[Chris125]

Was the canopy at Ryde St Johns adjusted for the new trains - from the video, there doesn't seem to be much clearance, unless it is just the angle of the video?

Pretty sure they haven't but if you zoom in it's definitely a tad tight...


484001 Ryde St Johns Road 01/04/2021 by James_Pilbeam, on Flickr

More problematic is the other end - not only does the canopy droop, but there's a helpful downpipe to get in the way.


Ryde St Johns Road by R~P~M, on Flickr

 

[ls2270]

484002 and 484003 are out testing tonight between Eastleigh and Fareham as 5Q84 to 5Q87.

 

[fgwrich]

Pretty sure they haven't but if you zoom in it's definitely a tad tight...


484001 Ryde St Johns Road 01/04/2021 by James_Pilbeam, on Flickr

More problematic is the other end - not only does the canopy droop, but there's a helpful downpipe to get in the way.


Ryde St Johns Road by R~P~M, on Flickr

That's one reason why I'm surprised they didn't chose to lower the track through there. Hopefully there will not be any clearance issues further down the line, although at Shanklin they do appear to be lowering the track (or at least something significant enough to be altering the platforms).

 

[Chris125]

That's one reason why I'm surprised they didn't chose to lower the track through there. Hopefully there will not be any clearance issues further down the line, although at Shanklin they do appear to be lowering the track (or at least something significant enough to be altering the platforms).

To be fair even if the canopy needs some minor adjustment that's vastly cheaper than lowering the track - especially with pointwork and drainage to consider. Shanklin and Brading stations are both listed which appears to be justifying a more traditional and sympathetic approach....

 

[philthetube]

No issue with stepping height at Ryde St Johns! Thanks to James for recording this.

True, but 483s were modified quite extensively by NSE and it seems this was one of the changes made - not much, perhaps 2-3 inches, but just enough to reduce the worst stepping heights as can be seen below:

Not arguing with you because I don't know, but I cannot imagine how they would change the step height, the only possible option I could see would be to use different size wheels, which would mean changing the bogies.

 

[Chris125]

Movement... and a two-tone horn? I did wonder if the whistle would be an issue on the mainland.

Not arguing with you because I don't know, but I cannot imagine how they would change the step height, the only possible option I could see would be to use different size wheels, which would mean changing the bogies.

Perhaps the same way Vivarail lifted the 230s? GWR raised their Turbo fleet in recent years too so it can be done.

Going by these measurements for the 483s their overall height is 2946mm, whereas the 1938 stock was apparently 2883mm - a number much more consistent with other deep tube designs.

 

[swt_passenger]

Movement... and a two-tone horn? I did wonder if the whistle would be an issue on the mainland.

But, perhaps the normal horn is about to become an issue on the Island. It might be that ORR now require it, especially with the foot crossings.

 

[Chris125]

But, perhaps the normal horn is about to become an issue on the Island. It might be that ORR now require it, especially with the foot crossings.

Seems not, according to someone in the know they've been fitted temporarily for testing on the mainland