Seems the 5 Class 484 units converted by VivaRail for use on the Ryde
Shanklin route are not proving as reliable as expected and the operators
are struggling to provide two for the 1/2 hourly service. So it has been
reduced to hourly for the time being with the intention of fettling the
units
up in preparation for the tourist season so the 1/2 hourly service can be
available for the many visitors to the Island.
Not sure what the issues are though there are reports wheel sets have been
wearing out due to poor rail profile while other opinions say it is
software or power issues.

The Isle of Wight seems to be a transport Black hole at the moment with
both ferry operators struggling to keep timetabled services running due to
breakdowns or lack of crew and the Cowes Floating bridge now recognised in
a report as being unfit for purpose and still unreliable. with no
possibility of making it so.

GH

Marland <gemehabal@btinternet.co.uk> wrote:
> Seems the 5 Class 484 units converted by VivaRail for use on the Ryde
> Shanklin route are not proving as reliable as expected and the operators
> are struggling to provide two for the 1/2 hourly service. So it has been
> reduced to hourly for the time being with the intention of fettling the
> units
> up in preparation for the tourist season so the 1/2 hourly service can be
> available for the many visitors to the Island.
>
> Not sure what the issues are though there are reports wheel sets have been
> wearing out due to poor rail profile while other opinions say it is
> software or power issues.
>
> The Isle of Wight seems to be a transport Black hole at the moment with
> both ferry operators struggling to keep timetabled services running due to
> breakdowns or lack of crew and the Cowes Floating bridge now recognised in
> a report as being unfit for purpose and still unreliable. with no
> possibility of making it so.

This was reported in Rail issue 1001 (January 24 to February 6). It says
two of the trains are in long-term maintenance following flood damage last
year. They require significant repairs before a return to service. Two
others have minor faults that could be mended within a week. Nevertheless,
there's still only an hourly service, so I guess it took longer than they
thought to fix the minor faults.

Separately, NR is seeking permission to demolish an unsound, derelict
bungalow (that it bought) that could cause a landslip on to the tracks at
Sandown.

Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
> Marland <gemehabal@btinternet.co.uk> wrote:
>> Seems the 5 Class 484 units converted by VivaRail for use on the Ryde
>> Shanklin route are not proving as reliable as expected and the operators
>> are struggling to provide two for the 1/2 hourly service. So it has been
>> reduced to hourly for the time being with the intention of fettling the
>> units
>> up in preparation for the tourist season so the 1/2 hourly service can be
>> available for the many visitors to the Island.
>>
>> Not sure what the issues are though there are reports wheel sets have been
>> wearing out due to poor rail profile while other opinions say it is
>> software or power issues.
>>
>> The Isle of Wight seems to be a transport Black hole at the moment with
>> both ferry operators struggling to keep timetabled services running due to
>> breakdowns or lack of crew and the Cowes Floating bridge now recognised in
>> a report as being unfit for purpose and still unreliable. with no
>> possibility of making it so.
>
> This was reported in Rail issue 1001 (January 24 to February 6). It says
> two of the trains are in long-term maintenance following flood damage last
> year. They require significant repairs before a return to service.

Monktonmead Brook strikes again. A flood control scheme was completed in
2019 but I believe there have been concerns that it hasn’t worked or been
controlled in time to prevent flooding in that area of Ryde which includes
the depot. And I would think it a reasonable chance the old 1938 stock
could repaired by a good rinse off with clean water a few drums of WD40 and
some industrial hot air blowers followed by fresh grease and an insulation
test , whereas the present stock with its updated power train has modern
electronics which need replacement which with Vivarail no longer around are
not straight forward to source. Perhaps they need a less flood prone
depot.
How about rebuilding the line back to Ventor and building one there
and sell off the land at Ryde for housing to offset the cost.
It’s becoming ridiculous the amount that has been spent on a section of
railway that is too short to justify it, if it was a mainland branch line
it would be closed.

GH

On Sat, 02 Mar 2024 01:27:51 GMT
Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>Marland <gemehabal@btinternet.co.uk> wrote:
>> The Isle of Wight seems to be a transport Black hole at the moment with
>> both ferry operators struggling to keep timetabled services running due to
>> breakdowns or lack of crew and the Cowes Floating bridge now recognised in
>> a report as being unfit for purpose and still unreliable. with no
>> possibility of making it so.
>
>This was reported in Rail issue 1001 (January 24 to February 6). It says
>two of the trains are in long-term maintenance following flood damage last
>year. They require significant repairs before a return to service. Two

Where did they park them, Ryde tunnel?