Island Line train services have been suspended once again this morning (Friday) due to the last 2 operational trains both breaking down.
A reduced timetable has been in place this week with just 1 train running between Ryde Pier Head and Shanklin. Now, the last remaining train has also broken down bringing the line to a standstill.
Engineers are working hard to carry out repairs and it is currently anticipated that an hourly service will resume by 14:00 today.
All being well, from 14:00 trains will depart Ryde Pier Head at xx:49 and Shanklin at xx:18.
It’s thought a rail replacement bus is operating between stations.
New trains are rolling off the production line and the first 2 carriages were delivered to the Isle of Wight last month. They are due to enter service in May 2021.
Island Line will be closed in its entirety for 3 months at the start of next year to facilitate major upgrades to the network and stations.
Perhaps turning this defunct railway into a new road would be the wisest move. Only need to double the width and plop a thick layer of tarmac on the top. Ryde, Brading, Sandown and Lake would benefit greatly as would tens of thousands of motorists, rather than a handful of train passengers ‘when’ or ‘if’ it is running.
And where are all the people who currently use it to get to the ferry going to park? 100’s use the train everyday.
Pratt shut up
The poor old boys know the new kids on the block are taking over so they’re kicking off what will happen to the old ones? Museum or scrap?
Rattler going strong for nearly ninety years, but the powers that be say it is unsafe (yet still run it) and miraculously it stops working. Corrupt system, methinks! All crooks….