These Units now work exclusively on the Isle of Wight but in 2020 are set to be replaced as life expired....
A further look at the former LT 1938 Stock number 10229 that became 483009-car number 129 on the Isle of Wight for so many years that they quite simply just wore out completely and in 2021 are being replaced by the 'new' Class 484's.Here it is in the old Bitumen Siding at Cranmore on the East Somerset Railway awaiting cosmetic restoration.It certainly is in quite a mess but no doubt will look nice when done albeit never to work on the 3rd/4th rail ever again!
..5 october 2021..
Former London Transport 1938- Stock 10229 which became 483009 car No-129 on the Isle of Wight is now at Cranmore nominally for restoration but I have to say it is in quite a state! Here it is in the former Bitumen Sidings at Cranmore on the East Somerset Railway.
..5 october 2021..
Final shot of the day in the Isle of Wight was of 483006 on '2U50' the 17:18 from Shanklin to here at is destination Ryde Pier Head.I had to wait until all the passengers going to the Ferry had cleared before quickly taking about 10 handheld shots at 3200-iso to get just one that was acceptable.Then sprint for the Ferry just before the gates closed.The Ferry service to the mainland is basically a rip-off------.£20 return for a crossing of just a few miles.Now I know why I havn't been here for many years!
..27 october 2019..
008 rumbles into platform 2 at Ryde St Johns Road Station with '2D43' the 16:07 from Ryde Pier Head to Shanklin.004 is seen sitting in the bay (platform 3) as a spare. It was quite nice to be on a station without the incessant robotic announcements imploring me to don't do-this and don't do-that because all passengers are considered to be dumb and unable to make their own safety cases up as they go about life in general!
..27 october 2019..
004 sits in platform 3 at Ryde St Johns Road Station as a spare whilst 006 and 008 deals with todays traffic needs.This station is quite rundown and in desperate need of a complete refurbishment although unlike the mainland there is a complete lack of grafitti damage anywhere.This is quite refreshing to see!
..27 october 2019..
A view of Ryde St Johns Depot yard with stored 009 and servicable 004 sitting in the deserted silence here.I wonder if one of these venerable 483's will be saved as an exhibit somewhere.it would be quite sad if they were all scrapped given their long long history.
..27 october 2019..
483009 stands in Ryde St John Depot having recently been withdrawn from service after 79 years.It it now considered just a spare doner although externally it is still looking quite reasonable.Spares for these old ex-LT trains is now quite a problem hence the decision has been taken to replace this aged fleet in mid-2020 by some fully rebuilt 1980 District Line Tube Stock to be designated Class-484 from Vivarail.
..27 october 2019..
483004 sits in platform-3 at Ryde St Johns Road Station.This unit is still a member of the active fleet that currently totals just 4. The roof could certainly do with a spot of TLC.Still not too bad though considering after nearly 80 years of service!
..27 october 2019..
There are only 2 passing places on the short 'Island Line'.Ryde Esplanade and here at Sandown. Here is 006 on '2U42' the 15:18 from Shanklin to Rype Pier Head alongside 008 on '2D39' the 15:07 from Ryde Pier Head to Shanklin.Sadly by this time the skies had gone quite milky here at Sandown even though the sun angle would have been just about right...
..27 october 2019..
483006 makes its way out to the Pier Head shortly after leaving Ryde Esplanade Station with '2U38' The 14:18 from Shanklin.The Pier here served as a Tramway and a Road as well as for the Railway.The road and rail links still survive but the tramway was abandoned in 1969 after 105 years of operation although as can be seen here the basic rail girders still survive in place.However Car No-2 as saved and is currently being restored at Havenstreet on the IOW-Steam Railway
..27 october 2019..
Due to the ever encrouching clouds the sun was getting quite weak as 008 departed the Ryde Pier Head with '2D25' the 14:07 to Shanklin.Note the corroded rusty remains of the old Pier Head Tramway which closed in 1969.This ran parallel with the railway down to the Esplanade Station area.
..27 october 2019..
This is Shanklin Station.Once a through station with platforms either side,now a single line terminus,Part of the old 'up' platform is still in evidence,In view is 008.Here running in with '2D30' the 11:30 from Ryde Pier Head.
..27 october 2019..
483006 departs Shanklin at 13:18 with '2U34' bound for Ryde Pier Head.
..27 october 2019..
Unit 006 forms '2U30' the 12:18 from Shanklin to Ryde Pier Head as it gets away from Smallbrook Junction heading north.Just visible on the horizon is All Saints Church c/w a nice spire in Ryde Town.
..27 october 2019..
008 on '2D27' the 12:17 away from the Pier Head slows for Esplanade Station as it rattles off the pier section.Note the large container ship making its way out of the Solent away from Southampton Container Port. It appears to br heavily loaded but I bet most of the containers are empty going back to the Far-East for a refill.
..27 october 2019..
Here is the view overlooking Ryde Esplanade Station showing the long Pier out to the Island Line's terminal out at the Pier Head.Olso can be seen is the Mainland nr Portsmouth.The working viewed being operated by 008 is the '2U28' the 11:38 from Shanklin.Note the Hovercraft on its Pad in the Terminal there.This being one of just a pair of the only operational commercial passenger hovercrafts in the world! Even more rare than these venerable old Island Line Class-483's !!
..27 october 2019..
The the Worlds only commerial operational Hovercraft service (From Ryde to Southsea) Terminal in the background 483006 approaches the tunnel taking the Island Line to Shanklin away from Ryde-Esplanade Station.The working being '2d25' the 11:49 from Ryde-Pier Head.
..27 october 2019..
Island Line-006 gets away from Ryde Esplanade with '2D25' the 11:49 from the Pier Head going to Shanklin.
..27 october 2019..
483006 has just arrived at Brading with the 11:18 from Shanklin as '2U26'.Note how completely unmodernised this old station is.The only H&S paranoia-concession being the yellow line on the platform.
..27 october 2019..
483008 departs from what was once a dual platform station at Brading but now long singled with '2D23' the 11:07 from Ryde Pier Head to Shanklin.After yesterdays continuous heavy rain and low cloud this day is amazingly warm and clear!
..27 october 2019..
483008 arrives at Brading with '2D23' the 11:07 from Ryde Pier Head to Shanklin.Only 4 units of this now ancient 1938 built stock on the IOW remain in use.Service with these old stagers will stagger on until they are replaced in 2020 with another batch of refurbished albeit much newer Ex-LT underground stock.
..27 october 2019..
006 sits in Ryde Pier Head Station awaiting its next trip '2D21' at 10:49 down to Shanklin.A journey that takes just 15 minutes.
..27 october 2019..
Island Line 006 or if you prefer 483006 sits on Ryde Pier Head forming '2D21' the 10:49 to Shanklin.Although it is double track the pier now uses just a single line now out to the seaward line terminal off the island proper.