ISLAND LINE (TRAIN OPERATING COMPANY)

'Island Line' was the smallest train operating company to make up Britain’s National Rail network. It operated the 8½ mile Island Line on the Isle of Wight from 1996 up until February 2007.
It was the only passenger franchise that included maintenance of the infrastructure in addition to the running of passenger services. From February 2007, the Island Line franchise was combined with the South Western franchise on the mainland.^[1] South West Trains now operates the line, although the Island Line branding has been retained.^[2]
Island Line was reportedly Britain’s most reliable and punctual train company. The shortness and simplicity of the route may be the reason for this.

Contents

Rolling stock

References

External links

Rolling stock

Because of tight clearances within a tunnel at Ryde, standard National Rail vehicle types could not operate on the Island Line.^[3] Therefore, Class 483 units were used, which were refurbished ex-London Underground tube trains originally built in 1938.
Most of the units were painted in a blue livery with large pictures of dinosaurs. Two units were painted into red London Transport colours, albeit with front end yellow warning panels.

Class	Image	Type	Top speed		Number	Routes operated	Built
			mph	km/h
Class 483		electric multiple unit	45	72.5	7	Island Line	1938 1989 - 1992 (refurbished)

References

1. Stagecoach wins railway franchise
2. Island Line Online - Contact Us
3. 1938 tube stock on the Isle of Wight

External links

★ Island Line official website