Oh island in the (unexpected) sun.

Friday 5th November 2021

I gave it a few days for the teething troubles to settle down before deciding that at trip ‘overseas’ was due to see the new trains on the Isle of Wight. The forecast was for dull, overcast weather but in this case the forecast was pleasantly wrong so I got a nice sunny day at the seaside thrown in.

 

TO THE TRAINS

 

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Some split ticketing and a Network Railcard secured an off peak return to Shanklin for just under £42 including the Wightlink fast catamaran ferry which I reckon worked out cheaper than the alternative I considered of driving to Southsea, parking for the day, and getting the Hovercraft across. Though at some point I do want another hovercraft trip because well, Hovercraft! :-) A late-running train at Guildford meant I got to the island an hour earlier than planned, having caught a connection I’d otherwise have missed. The same thing happened on the way home too which was a double bonus. Should have bought an extra lottery ticket.

 

 

 

So to the new trains. These started running on the previous Monday, some months later than planned due to you-know-what and the usual software and hardware issues that we now expect with any new trains. The former 1938 ex-London tube trains have finally been replaced. These were much-loved by everyone except I reckon anyone who had to rely on them for their daily travel, at least by the end of their service. 

 

 

 

The replacements also previously ran on the London Underground being Vivarail’s Class 484 electric multiple units, rebuilt/upcycled/refurbished, choose whichever term you prefer from the retired District Line D78 Stock trains. They are however a long way from being just “old tube trains”, with bright modern white and blue interiors.

 

 

 

A new blue moquette on the seats and dedicated spaces for wheelchair users. Who will get a better view out than most of the other passengers except those who manage to bag the few transverse 2 + 2 seats in each car. Hmm, should we still call them cars or should it be coaches/carriages now they aren’t on the Underground?

 

 

 

Anyway apart from the new trains a lot of other improvements have been made to the line, especially the track, so the run down to Shanklin was much smoother than of old and I didn’t feel I was about to be bounced out of my seat even once.

 

 

 

One thing I did notice, and I know I’m not alone in this, is how slowly the doors on the new trains open. I don’t remember them being so slow in their previous life but they open about 6 inches and then pause just long enough that you wonder if you should reach out and give them a helping hand.

 

 

 

Maybe things will free up with use.

 

TO THE SEASIDE

 

From Shanklin Station it’s about a half mile walk down to the beach and this was conducted in very un-November 5th type weather, bright if not as tropical as the following photo might have you believe.

 

 

 

Good for a walk along the prom though back to Sandown Pier (alas closed) and up to Sandown Station to get a train back to Ryde.

 

 

 

The novelty of new trains hadn’t worn off for the sweary schoolgirls on their way home at Sandown, who made everyone well aware that they were actually supposed to be grounded, and regarded the restriction of passengers beyond the platform end a s a minor challenge. (Yeah Ok, at that age so did we.)

 

 

 

Back in Ryde there was enough time to go and get Friday Fish & Chips, eaten on a lamp-lit seafront, before walking down the pier to catch the boat back to the mainland.

 

 

 

I like the Isle of Wight.

Especially when it doesn’t rain.

“Isle be back"