The first photos of the brand new Island Line trains, which are currently being built by Vivarail in the Midlands, have been released today (Thursday).
The Class 484 trains will operate between Ryde Pier Head and Shanklin and will replace the ageing 1938 former underground stock.
South Western Railway has shared these 2 photographs of the build process ahead of the first train arriving on the Isle of Wight later this year – date to be confirmed.
Calling the trains ‘new’ may be a bit of a stretch as they are, technically, 42-years-old. The 1978 former London District Line stock has been completely overhauled by Vivarail and run on bogies from the 2000s. This is a stark contrast to the current trains being used on the Isle of Wight which are older than some of the trains running on the heritage steam railway.
The new trains will provide more capacity, better accessibility, USB charging, passenger information systems and onboard wifi. They will also allow the guard to easily pass between carriages to collect fares. As photographed above, the new trains have been fitted with a snow plough to clear debris from the tracks.
A total of 5x 2-car trains have been ordered with each train able to accommodate up to around 188 people – a mix of 106 people standing and 86 seated. During peak times, a total of 4 carriages can be run as a single train giving a capacity of around 376 people.
Previously, it was said that the new trains would be running to a new Island Line timetable from May 2021 onwards, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, this is likely to be pushed back.
Proposed Island Line Upgrade Programme (as of September 2019)
| September 2019 | Island Line investment announcement made at Brading |
| Late 2019-2020 | Build of new Vivarail Class 484 trains begins at Long Marston, Midlands |
| Late 2019 onwards | Design and planning work for Island Line infrastructure |
| April 2020 | Testing begins on first Class 484 Island Line unit |
| Spring 2020 | Wifi and Ticket Machines installed at stations (not yet completed) |
| Summer 2020 | First Class 484 train arrives on the Isle of Wight for testing (now delayed until September) |
| October/November 2020 | More new Class 484 carriages arrive on the Isle of Wight (expected to be delayed) |
| Winter 2020/2021 | Disruption during infrastructure works – shuttle service in operation |
| February 2021 | Final new Class 484 carriages delivered |
| March 2021 | Last 1938 stock Island Line train decommissioned |
| May 2021 | Brand new timetable introduced with new trains |
Amazing new trains. They look brilliant.
Soon ruined by Oaky vandals, windows put through, spray painted, etc.
What’s with the cow-catcher on the front?Old Mike
It’s an ‘obstacle deflector’, which as the name suggests…
Looks a bit dangerous to me. Wouldn’t fancy being the cow!
How long before Bob Seldom Seen Sausage Seely is pictured with one and claiming it was all down to him?
Interesting use of the phrase “brand new” for this D Stock unit from the 70s.
I jest of course, Vivarail have done an awesome job converting and refurbishing the old D Stock for continued use across the UK.
You should keep just one of them in original London Underground livery either the red/white and blue or original silver/red with the new modifications to run on the island line
Everyone involved must be well chuffed
The new trains look great, about time the island had a upgrade, i saw the “BBC south today” program and thought what a embarrassment having those old trains they look a right state