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

[trainmania100]

Swr must be more desperate than ever to get their hands on the 484, are they still due for delivery this year?

 

[norbitonflyer]

Even if the 484s were ready to run tomorrow (or the steam railway was able to lend something), full size stock won't be able to run on the line until some changes are made to the infrastructure - generally lowering the track under some bridges, and at stations to allow level boarding, and modifying some station canopies. That work is d heduled for the esrly part of 2021

 

[Chris125]

...full size stock won't be able to run on the line until some changes are made to the infrastructure - generally lowering the track under some bridges

That bit's done, track was lowered under the two bridges in August which will presumably allow testing this autumn.

 

[norbitonflyer]

That bit's done, track was lowered under the two bridges in August which will presumably allow testing this autumn.

What's happening during the three month shut down in tbe coming winter?

 

[hwl]

What's happening during the three month shut down in tbe coming winter?

Track renewal, lowering the track in the stations...

 

[Chris125]

Track renewal, lowering the track in the stations...

... plus installing the loop at Brading, power supply upgrades and some signalling changes too.

 

[Gloster]

The set stabled/dumped at the north end of the depot (beyond the bridge) has had the graffiti on the west side painted out (in grey).

 

[youngiecj]

The set stabled/dumped at the north end of the depot (beyond the bridge) has had the graffiti on the west side painted out (in grey).

is that 484004?

 

[sharpinf]

is that 484004?

Not the OP but yes 483 004 - picture taken on Friday

 

[Rick1984]

Wonder if the Class 484 will keep their kettle whistles like their predecessors?

 

[DavidGrain]

Wonder if the Class 484 will keep their kettle whistles like their predecessors?

I am sure that the 230s have horns. LU are behind the times in staying in the steam age with just using compressed air in stead of steam.

 

[swt_passenger]

I am sure that the 230s have horns. LU are behind the times in staying in the steam age with just using compressed air in stead of steam.

Some or all Electrostars and Aventras (eg SWR 701s) have a depot whistle as well as the normal horns for use out on the track. So having both is a definite option.

 

[VEP3417]

was still covered in graffiti when i was there on the 14th
any idea what will happen to most of them? i guess who ever buys the running ones will buy the others for spares or might some non runners get restored

few photos i took of which i have a Lot more (mabey i should start another thred) going to miss thos trains even though ive only been on them a few times over the years

 

[fgwrich]

004 was tidied up with the graffiti removed from the windows and the rest painted over in light grey on the 17th. 009 Expected to be tidied up next - believed that these two will be the first to go for Preservation / Sold on. 002 - The bottom one in the last picture has pretty much been gutted for spares.

Edited - 006 is still a runner.

 

[Chris125]

Wonder if the Class 484 will keep their kettle whistles like their predecessors?

I assumed not, but recent photos of the 484s don't show their location above the left window plated over like the 230s. Still unlikely mind.

 

[TEW]

004 was tidied up with the graffiti removed from the windows and the rest painted over in light grey on the 17th. 009 Expected to be tidied up next - believed that these two will be the first to go for Preservation / Sold on. 006 - The bottom one in the last picture has pretty much been gutted for spares.

Don't think 006 has been, it's one of the 2 units in service along with 008.

 

[fgwrich]

Don't think 006 has been, it's one of the 2 units in service along with 008.

Thanks TEW, meant to put 002 / 009.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

004 was tidied up with the graffiti removed from the windows and the rest painted over in light grey on the 17th. 009 E

I hope that the new units when on the island will have better security that what appears to be the case at present, in order to prevent graffiti being applied.

 

[pdeaves]

I hope that the new units when on the island will have better security that what appears to be the case at present, in order to prevent graffiti being applied.

It will help (not total guarantee, of course) if they aren't parked for months and months in the same place. With new working units arriving, hopefully they won't get dumped early on!

 

[BayPaul]

any idea what will happen to most of them? i guess who ever buys the running ones will buy the others for spares or might some non runners get restored

I guess SWR would give the whole fleet to anyone who had £1 and the ability to take them away, but realistically I can't see any likelihood of restoration for I future service. AFAIK there is nowhere at all that they'll be able to run - no preserved railways are electrified, and they are too low to be compatible with platforms even if they were hauled. I guess there's a chance the IOW steam railway might want one for static display, but I would be surprised if they had enough space.

 

[pdeaves]

I guess SWR would give the whole fleet to anyone who had £1 and the ability to take them away, but realistically I can't see any likelihood of restoration for I future service. AFAIK there is nowhere at all that they'll be able to run - no preserved railways are electrified, and they are too low to be compatible with platforms even if they were hauled. I guess there's a chance the IOW steam railway might want one for static display, but I would be surprised if they had enough space.

There was a thread on here recently from/about a group that intends to buy a unit and convert to battery power.

 

[Lockwood]

Can they be hauled, or are they too low to couple with anything big?

 

[delt1c]

Can they be hauled, or are they too low to couple with anything big?

Yes they can be hauled, there is a unit of 38TS used on the Alderney Railway hauled / propelled by a Ruston & Hornsby 0 4 0

 

[D365]

Wonder if the Class 484 will keep their kettle whistles like their predecessors?

That's a question that I wish I had asked, while I had the opportunity

 

[philthetube]

I can see the locals objecting if thy get something noisey.

 

[Gloster]

#533 I have not been to Alderney, but presume that there they can choose their own platform height. Any existing line would have the standard British height, which (I think) would require quite a step down into the unit and then another climb back up again.

 

[alex397]

I have had a look through this thread, but can't seem to find out for sure - will the 483s be running for the rest of this year? I'm hoping to get down there soon for a last ride.

 

[gallafent]

#533 I have not been to Alderney, but presume that there they can choose their own platform height. Any existing line would have the standard British height, which (I think) would require quite a step down into the unit and then another climb back up again.

From memory of using Bakerloo line 1972 stock on the DC lines between Queens Park and Harrow and Wealdstone (shared with London Overground services to Watford), yes, it is quite a step down!

 

[Dstock7080]

Yes they can be hauled, there is a unit of 38TS used on the Alderney Railway hauled / propelled by a Ruston & Hornsby 0 4 0

Currently 2-car 1959TS

 

[Journeyman]

I have had a look through this thread, but can't seem to find out for sure - will the 483s be running for the rest of this year? I'm hoping to get down there soon for a last ride.

It appears to be the intention, yes, but don't assume it'll happen. Keeping the fleet running is an increasingly major challenge, and it wouldn't surprise me if a couple of major failures result in the fleet going early.