Island Line (train operating company)
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| Franchise(s): | Island Line 1996 – 2003 2003 - 3. February 2007 Part of South Western franchise (4 February 2007 – February 2017) |
| Main area(s): | Isle of Wight |
| Other area(s): | None |
| Fleet size: | 7 (6 operated) |
| Stations called at: | 8 |
| Parent company: | South West Trains (Stagecoach Group) |
| Web site: | www.island-line.co.uk |
Island Line is a sub-brand of South West Trains, a train operating company on Great Britain's National Rail Network, operating the 8½ mile Island Line on the Isle of Wight.
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[edit] History
The Island Line franchise was, until February 2007, the smallest train operating company to make up the National Rail network. It was combined with the South West franchise to make the new South Western franchise in an effort to reduce the number of TOCs in the UK. [1]
The Island Line was the only passenger franchise that included maintenance of the infrastructure in addition to the running of passenger services. Although South West Trains now operates the line, 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.
[edit] 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.
Remaining units are now being repainted in their entirety in their heritage red London Transport colours, albeit with front end yellow warning panels. Rolling stock before 2008 was formerly painted in a cheery blue dinosaur livery in order to entice tourists in the summer months when passenger numbers are high.
| 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) |
[edit] The Route
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The railway operates to several stations including:
[edit] References
- ^ "Stagecoach wins railway franchise", BBC News Online, 2006-09-22. Retrieved on 2007-08-26.
- ^ Island Line Online - Contact Us. Retrieved on 2007-08-26. “Island Line is a brand name of Stagecoach South Western Trains Ltd.”
- ^ 1938 tube stock on the Isle of Wight. Retrieved on 2007-08-26.
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Network SouthEast As part of British Rail |
Operator of Island Line franchise 1996 - 2007 |
Succeeded by South West Trains South Western franchise |
| Preceded by Island Line Island Line franchise |
Sub-brand of South Western franchise 2007 - present |
Incumbent |
| Preceded by South West Trains South West franchise |
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