By Carole Dennett
The Island’s transport troubles extend beyond the ferry fiascos that have dominated recent headlines.
The much-vaunted ‘new’ Class 484 Island Line trains, which only entered service in November 2021 promising a fresh start, find themselves on an unexpected track. They now face the ignominy of running on wheels bought by South Western Railway (SWR) from “a scrap metal merchant” after a senior official from the Department for Transport (DfT) told the railway company that “Minimising expenditure must be the focus … I’d not want us to be spending any more than is absolutely necessary.”
The disclosure comes from a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request made by the IW Observer.
Adding to the Island’s infrastructure headaches, the papers also reveal that Ryde Pier will be closing again for more remedial work this autumn, with the DfT saying a “realistic target” is getting the work finished by Easter 2025.
The 484’s wheel woes are believed to be excessive ‘hollow wheel wear’, caused by problems with the track rather than the wheels themselves. It is primarily caused by a mismatch between the track and the wheels made worse by poor track conditions. The heavily-redacted FOIA documents reveal a “long-term” plan to buy new wheels.
The extra pier works will be carried out by Network Rail, but paid for by SWR as they are additional to the original lease agreements. The arrangement aims to “reduce whole industry cost.”
In reality, the ‘new’ 484 trains are actually second-hand London Underground units from the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. Although the bodyshells were refurbished, critical components like the bogeys (which carry the axles, wheels and suspension and braking systems) were not replaced. The scenario is worsened by the 484 supplier, Vivarail, entering administration in December 2022, forcing Island Line to cobble together spare parts cannibalised from obsolete stock to keep their flashy new trains limping along – or not!
Whispers that one of the 484s has already been decommissioned, also for spares, appear to be confirmed. Five new trains were delivered in 2021, costing £11 million, part of an optimistically described £26 million ‘investment’. However, in January, SWT gave the DfT an update on only four, describing “3 units out of service, 2 of which are currently subject to brake testing. Unfortunately, this leaves only 1 unit in service for the entire Island Line.”
A revealing exchange in February reveals SWR’s selective communications strategy describing how they have “discussed the proposed new timetable with Wightlink, HoverTravel and Southern Vectis and they are all supportive.” They hope that the support of the transport operators will alleviate consternation in the Transport Infrastructure Board (TIB), a body set up by the IW Council to consider transport challenges to economic growth. Elsewhere SWR say “We don’t have anything in writing from TIB or the Council and it wouldn’t be our preferred option to seek it specifically about Pier closures knowing the sensitivity.”
SWR’s description of replacing our trains with outdated London Underground stock as “in keeping with Island Line’s tradition” might seem comical if the current state of affairs weren’t so predictably depressing.
