Staff from Island Line’s maintenance department have been shortlisted for a national award.
The team’s efforts in keeping the 80-year-old rolling stock going, despite serious challenges, has led to them being shortlisted in the Fleet Excellence category of the National Rail Awards 2020.
Island Line operates between Ryde Pier Head and Shanklin.
Mark Hopwood, Managing Director of South Western Railway, says:
“We are immensely proud of all of our colleagues who have already been recognised by the National Rail Awards.
“Every single day our colleagues go above and beyond in all sorts of ways – from keeping 80-year-old trains running to helping vulnerable youngsters into work.”
New trains are expected to arrive on the Isle of Wight later this year ahead of network improvements to allow for a passing loop to be created at Brading.
The awards ceremony will take place at Grosvenor House Hotel in London in September, hosted by Huw Edwards.
They deserve it. The steam railway have 2 engines newer than these poor old trains!!
Good luck to all of the team that work hard to keep this valuable link running.
Well done and congratulations. Both of your customers could not manage without your dedication to this character filled antiques.
Have you ever tried to use the train during the school run?
It’s a wonder that they have managed to keep them running since they arrived on the Island considering London Transport had removed them from service 40 years ago.
Lets hope the new trains are not old stock that’s refurbished.
They’re 1978 stock.
There not 1978 stock they are 1938 stock
Pointless should of had better trains by now