PROJECT TO RE-PAINT FORMER ISLAND LINE TRAIN IN ICONIC LIVERY LAUNCHED

A former Island Line train that is now in the caring hands of the London Transport Traction Group is to be repainted in its iconic Network South East livery to mark 35 years since the Class 483 trains entered service on the Isle of Wight. Converted from ex-London Underground 1938 Tube stock between 1989 and 1991, these 2-car Electric Multiple Units were introduced to replace the ageing ‘Standard’ Tube Stock which had been operating on the Isle of Wight since 1967. 006 entered Island Line service in 1990 following refurbishment at Eastleigh Works – by which time she was already 50 years old. After a little over 30 years of work on the Island, 006 was the last of its type to run in service on 3rd January 2021, bringing an 80-year career to an end.

Since withdrawal, 006 has been homed at the Llanelli & Mynydd Mawr Railway in South Wales, later joined by 008. Between these long-lived vehicles there is quite a story to tell, and there is no time like the present to begin telling it! Since the last of these trains were withdrawn in 2021, all remaining units have been fortunate enough to survive, and most of these are presented in their final livery of Island Line Red, or else in an interpretation of London Transport red. When introduced in 1989, the Class 483 fleet was not red. These ‘new’ trains were painted in the striking red, white and blue livery of Network Southeast, affectionately known to enthusiasts as ‘toothpaste’ livery. It was a bold new look for these trains which had only ever been seen in the plainer red liveries favoured by London Transport, and it remains popular to this day. With the 35th anniversary of the Class 483s now approaching, and the 40th anniversary of Network Southeast not far away, the London Transport Traction Group says now is the ideal time to display 006 in the eye-catching red, white and blue that marked the birth of Island Line. Support of Islanders and rail enthusiasts a like is being sought to help fund the ambitious project with a target set of £1,500. You can add to the Go Fund Me at https://www.gofundme.com/f/project-483.