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

[Goldfish62]

I don't understand why people are discussing any vaguely available trains as alternatives, I was under the impression the 484s would be delayed for a couple of months not years.

Exactly! I don't understand why people think that the delay here is any different to all the other delays with new trains.

 

[yorkie]

Just a gentle reminder this thread is to discuss Class 484s replacing 483s on the Island Line.

Please create a new thread (if there isn't one already) or use an existing thread (if there is) if you wish to discuss anything else.

Also any suggestions or any other posts of a speculative nature belong in the Speculative Ideas section please.

A speculative thread to discuss alternative provision for the IOW can be found here: https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...tion-provision-on-the-iow-island-line.216963/

 

[A0]

Hypothetically, if there is an issue with the length of 484s through the tunnels due to the curves, what is plan b and who would be responsible for that mess - vivarail or swr

I thought a 484 had been put through the tunnel already - so that shouldn't be an issue ?

 

[Chris125]

I thought a 484 had been put through the tunnel already - so that shouldn't be an issue ?

Nope and there's no clear consensus why, though it has been described as the 'least of their problems' IIRC so hopefully isn't too hard to resolve.

 

[A0]

Nope and there's no clear consensus why, though it has been described as the 'least of their problems' IIRC so hopefully isn't too hard to resolve.

Or it may be there really isn't a problem ? It was called out on other threads that there were other items of infrastructure which were more problematic.

 

[pompeyfan]

Just a thought but how about we stop speculating on the basics that have been done to death time and time again.. yes sometimes there is major flaws in a project but it doesn’t help when the railway enthusiast community try and tell people how to actually do their job with little or no actually relevant experience.

 

[Chris125]

Or it may be there really isn't a problem ? It was called out on other threads that there were other items of infrastructure which were more problematic.

I said it hadn't been through the tunnel, but it remains to be seen what the actual issue is - there may be a genuine gauging issue with the infrastructure, or it could just be paperwork.

 

[Chris125]

Progress? 002+003 were allowed back out last night and managed some more runs to Fareham - they certainly sound a lot healthier in Stuart's video than 001 did when accelerating away.

Island Line (Isle Of Wight). | 484003 leading 002 on test to Fareham from Platform 3 at Eastleigh last night, the first trips since testing had to be stopped while the software was ... | Facebook

484003 leading 002 on test to Fareham from Platform 3 at Eastleigh last night, the first trips since testing had to be stopped while the software was modified. Do not use/share photos without...

www.facebook.com

 

[Philip 34002]

Progress? 002+003 were allowed back out last night and managed some more runs to Fareham - they certainly sound a lot healthier in Stuart's video than 001 did when accelerating away.

Island Line (Isle Of Wight). | 484003 leading 002 on test to Fareham from Platform 3 at Eastleigh last night, the first trips since testing had to be stopped while the software was ... | Facebook

484003 leading 002 on test to Fareham from Platform 3 at Eastleigh last night, the first trips since testing had to be stopped while the software was modified. Do not use/share photos without...

www.facebook.com

Looking at Real Time Trains their appeared to be another test run to Fareham, very early this morning, arriving at 00 15.

 

[Chris125]

Looking at Real Time Trains their appeared to be another test run to Fareham, very early this morning, arriving at 00 15.

A second night of running hopefully indicates the first went better than last time...?

 

[swt_passenger]

A second night of running hopefully indicates the first went better than last time...?

Only the first run was showing as having run on RTT, a few more planned but the times stayed italic. Maybe they were in a possession and times not recorded?

Realtime Trains | Departures from Fareham all day on 15/05/2021

Train information at Fareham all day on 15/05/2021. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Chris125]

484004 is on the move, presumably heading to the Island - with 007 moving to Havenstreet in the near future there could be plenty of action in the coming days.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/355569249197459/permalink/495539035200479/

 

[Gloster]

484004 is on the move, presumably heading to the Island - with 007 moving to Havenstreet in the near future there could be plenty of action in the coming days.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/355569249197459/permalink/495539035200479/

Paul Clifton has tweeted that 004 is coming/has come across. Each vehicle was on a separate ferry.

 

[Matt Taylor]

Paul Clifton has tweeted that 004 is coming/has come across. Each vehicle was on a separate ferry.

Conformed that 484004 went this afternoon, 234 on the 1340 sailing and 134 on the 1540, both sailings were MV St Clare which I understand is the only vessel capable of transporting them. Picture below.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/40172673@N03/51188311079/in/dateposted/

 

[DanNCL]

Conformed that 484004 went this afternoon, 234 on the 1340 sailing and 134 on the 1540, both sailings were MV St Clare which I understand is the only vessel capable of transporting them. Picture below.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/40172673@N03/51188311079/in/dateposted/

I'm surprised MV Victoria of Wight isn't capable of taking the 484s over to Fishbourne seeing as that's larger than MV St Clare.

 

[Gloster]

I'm surprised MV Victoria of Wight isn't capable of taking the 484s over to Fishbourne seeing as that's larger than MV St Clare.

I have not travelled on Victoria, but I suspect the problem is vertical clearance on the car deck. It may also be a case of clearance only being available when the internal deck is raised, which means reduced capacity...and a lot of visitors are coming over at the moment.

 

[hermit]

I have not travelled on Victoria, but I suspect the problem is vertical clearance on the car deck. It may also be a case of clearance only being available when the internal deck is raised, which means reduced capacity...and a lot of visitors are coming over at the moment.

As I understand it, Victoria of Wight can take higher vehicles than St Clare (and I can’t imagine the internal deck was being used - I’ve never seen that). The St Faith, having lost its mezzanine decks, can also take higher vehicles than St Clare. Seems to me more likely that the choice of crossing was for other reasons, or possibly even random.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 May 2021 ==

Having said that, I see that the first trains, delivered in November, also came on St Clare, so perhaps there is some reason for that being the vessel of choice.

 

[Gloster]

The County Press is reporting that the vehicles arrived at Sandown yesterday.

 

[43055]

I'm surprised MV Victoria of Wight isn't capable of taking the 484s over to Fishbourne seeing as that's larger than MV St Clare.

As I understand it, Victoria of Wight can take higher vehicles than St Clare (and I can’t imagine the internal deck was being used - I’ve never seen that). The St Faith, having lost its mezzanine decks, can also take higher vehicles than St Clare. Seems to me more likely that the choice of crossing was for other reasons, or possibly even random.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 May 2021 ==

Having said that, I see that the first trains, delivered in November, also came on St Clare, so perhaps there is some reason for that being the vessel of choice.

The Victoria of Wight and St Faith have the stairwells in the centre of the deck whereas St Clare has two stairwells (one on each side). This would make it easier to position the lorry in the centre of the deck on St Clare.

 

[hermit]

The Victoria of Wight and St Faith have the stairwells in the centre of the deck whereas St Clare has two stairwells (one on each side). This would make it easier to position the lorry in the centre of the deck on St Clare.

Thanks, I’m sure that’s right now you point it out. St Clare gives them a straight run on and off, and presumably makes it easier to balance the ship. So not a height issue.

 

[Chris125]

A bit late in the day, but 007 finally arrived in Sandown this evening propelled at walking pace by a Unimog - it's now being loaded ready for transport to Havenstreet.


483007 at Sandown by Chris, on Flickr


483007 and 484004 at Sandown by Chris, on Flickr

 

[Puppetfinger]

Thanks, I’m sure that’s right now you point it out. St Clare gives them a straight run on and off, and presumably makes it easier to balance the ship. So not a height issue.

Could also be to do with the weight restriction on the deck of the ship. Not sure of the weight of a 484 carriage plus the road vehicle its on, but all apart from the most modern RoRo's are designed to accommodate road vehicles weighing up to 35t.

Often they will have certain lanes that are strengthened to accommodate heavier loads, but this will also be linked to the axles weights of the vehicle, not sure the situation with the Wightlink vessels, but given St Clare and Victoria are the youngest vessels operating from Portsmouth, I would imagine they would have the ability to take out of gauge heavy vehicles.

 

[Steddenm]

There she is on the ferry.

Photo taken from Wightlink on Twitter.

 

[43055]

Thanks, I’m sure that’s right now you point it out. St Clare gives them a straight run on and off, and presumably makes it easier to balance the ship. So not a height issue.

In this case it does look like a balancing issue.

A book that I have called 'The Fishbourne Car Ferry' has an image of a 38 stock vehicle arriving on the island with no bogies on as it wouldn't been able to fit on the ferry! So height has been a issue in the past and at the time most used St Cecilia was used as it had the most headroom.

 

[Chris125]

The 'new' 004 has joined it's sister in the shed at Ryde, 483007 is safely inside at the Steam Railway and 004 - seen below being propelled by a Unimog - has moved to a local farm attraction. Just 006+008 left to go now.

 

[Skymonster]

Just one 483 left at the depot now, one preserved under cover and another at its new home:

• 483002 was transferred to the mainland a while ago for scrapping or possible resale
• 483004 has been moved by rail to Sandown and then road to its new home at the House of Chilli in Holliers on the island and will become part of a cafe complex
• 483006 is still at Ryde St John's Road but is due to be transferred to London Transport Traction Group (LTTG)
• 483007 is now in preservation, inside the Train Story exhibition building at Haven Street on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway
• 483008 has been moved by rail to Sandown and was going to come to the mainland last night for LTTG but the transfer has been delayed
• 483009 was transferred to the mainland a while ago for scrapping or possible resale

 

[MotCO]

If the 484s are now arriving on the Island, does this mean all trackworks are now complete? If not, when is the expected completion date. Likewise, now some of the 484s have arrived, presumably gauging and training can take place. How long before this will be completed? In other words, when will the first train run in service?

 

[Skymonster]

If the 484s are now arriving on the Island, does this mean all trackworks are now complete? If not, when is the expected completion date. Likewise, now some of the 484s have arrived, presumably gauging and training can take place. How long before this will be completed? In other words, when will the first train run in service?

There is still some trackwork going on and the line has not been re-engergised yet. Once trains can run, then there will be testing and guaging to take place, alongside some training. The new stock hasn't been through the tunnel yet, or up to the end of the pier. I suspect that 001 and 004 which are on the island will need to do mileage accumulation runs too, 002 and 003 have been out and about at nights from Eastleigh again recently, and I'm not sure what 005 has done to date. Its not been confirmed that the 484's software problems have been resolved yet either, although Network Rail letting them run again must be a positive sign there's been some improvements made. Its not clear when the line will reopen to regular services yet and a firm official date has not been announced - some talk is of late-June to mid-July, while others suggest the end of the summer.

 

[MotCO]

There is still some trackwork going on and the line has not been re-engergised yet. Once trains can run, then there will be testing and guaging to take place, alongside some training. The new stock hasn't been through the tunnel yet, or up to the end of the pier. I suspect that 001 and 004 which are on the island will need to do mileage accumulation runs too, 002 and 003 have been out and about at nights from Eastleigh again recently, and I'm not sure what 005 has done to date. Its not been confirmed that the 484's software problems have been resolved yet either, although Network Rail letting them run again must be a positive sign there's been some improvements made. Its not clear when the line will reopen to regular services yet and a firm official date has not been announced - some talk is of late-June to mid-July, while others suggest the end of the summer.

Thanks - very helpful.

 

[Chris125]

A couple of videos have been uploaded of 484004 arriving on the Island and 483007 leaving for Havenstreet: