Well personally I was thinking more about the Virgin Voyagers. After all, the Island line is quite curvy, so having some tilting stock ought to be quite good for allowing faster line-speeds...
Will a Velaro fit in the tunnels?
Well personally I was thinking more about the Virgin Voyagers. After all, the Island line is quite curvy, so having some tilting stock ought to be quite good for allowing faster line-speeds...
Open-top buses are always popular at the seaside, so how about taking the roof off some 142s and using those? They'll fit through the tunnel then at least!
Open-top buses are always popular at the seaside, so how about taking the roof off some 142s and using those? They'll fit through the tunnel then at least!
Hard hats supplied?
If they can do it in Berlin...
http://awesomeberlin.net/activities/subway-cabrio-tour/
I see they have toilet stops as part of the tours... you'd probably need the same on a topless pacer, as 142 loos are poor enough as they are without them having a "Western Saloon" style door arrangement!
Open-top buses are always popular at the seaside, so how about taking the roof off some 142s and using those? They'll fit through the tunnel then at least!
If they can do it in Berlin...
http://awesomeberlin.net/activities/subway-cabrio-tour/
Just had a quick a Southern Vectis site, for price unless it's for a one off return journey the bus is cheaper with a Freedom ticket and afaik it covers the whole Southern Vectis network (don't know about the Coaster or Breezer buses).
Does NR actually own the pier? Is the pier listed at all?
There are cheaper season tickets for regular rail users too, but the cost of one-off journeys is pretty important especially for residents.
Network Rail own and maintain the railway structures, I think everything else is Wightlink.
I haven't been able to definitively find this, but the strong implication is that the whole pier (all three structures) are owned by Wightlink, suggesting that only the railway is owned by NR.
I haven't been able to definitively find this, but the strong implication is that the whole pier (all three structures) are owned by Wightlink, suggesting that only the railway is owned by NR.
I would imagine there is a big impact on pax figures from all those with bus passes who will use the local buses for free but can't use it on the train?
Everything I've seen and read over the years suggests Network Rail own and are responsible for the railway structures - any confusion is probably due to people thinking that it's the same structure as the listed promenade pier.
If that's the case, it must be pretty unusual for the railway to run over a structure that isn't the railway's responsibility to maintain?
Just had a brainwave - you can see exactly what land Network Rail own in the following map, which shows the railway pier and part of the terminal building is indeed under NR ownership:
http://map.whoownsengland.org/
The listing text makes it clear that all three - road, tramway and railway - are listed together.
There is not enough information available to know.
Only thing I can see happening during this franchise is a refurb/rebuild of the 38 stock and the stations being smartened up.
The infrastructure on the Isle of Wight is owned by Network Rail and the responsibilities for maintenance and renewal of these assets is apportioned between Network Rail and the Train Operating Company (South Western Railway, SWR) under the terms of the lease between these organisations. This lease is due for renewal in 2019.
We would expect Network Rail to make provision for any routine maintenance and renewal works required within their overall cost base for activities for Control Period 6 and to reflect these in the renewed lease. Ultimately, costs falling to Network Rail are borne by the public purse.
In addition to this, South Western Railway are due to submit a costed option to the Secretary of State by the end of March 2018 in relation to the future operation of the Island Line. To the extent that this is acceptable, it may result in an adjustment to franchise payments made to Government by the franchisee. SWR are in the process of consulting with local stakeholders regarding options.
Apart from the tunnels what other infrastructure would need to be modified for standard sized stock? There will be no shortage of third rail EMUs available in a few years.