Vivarail's 'D Train' - 'D' stock reborn

Here is a walk-through video from the same event:

It's the seats that maketh the train. Even a 143 with those seats was good.

Things are finally starting to come right with the VivaRail units for the Isle of Wight.

Another Class 484 set has now been shipped to the island.

onthewight.com/island-line-class-484-another-new-train-arrives-on-the-isle-of-wight-photos/

Apparently they have fixed the software problem which had delayed their delivery and was resulting in worrying arcing from the third rail pick up shoes at rail gaps. After a period test running on the mainland to confirm the problem was solved hopefully the new unit should soon be ready for staff training sessions - once the juice rails get energised. At the moment a unimog is being used for stock moves, as sadly it seems finishing and then getting everyone to sign off the infrastructure updating work is now the hold-up. Why does this sound like Cross Rail... nearly ready but never quite opening, or a Yes Minister sketch about a super efficient hospital with no patients.

At least it seems the software on the Class 484 unit which had already be delivered to the Island can be updated without needing a trip back to the mainland. If they can get a third set tested and onto the island soon, then that late Summer opening date (AKA 3 September) may just be possible, which will doubtless trigger huge demand for seats on the first public service, and doubtless a good few YouTube videos.

'Proper' railway signals remain!

I read about this somewhere else.

It is disappointing to hear but it is not known whether it was an engine or a battery fire. Obviously not having been there at the time I do not know what actually happened and why ... but what I do know is that whilst both diesel and battery buses have been known to catch fire it is very rare and has not become a cause for any alarm. Certainly ever more battery buses are entering service on our streets, and this would not be happening if the various authorities thought that they pose a safety hazard.

More 484s required - I rather doubt it.

Just because the old trackbed in question is vacant, does not mean it is a bright idea to reopen the route if virtually no one will ever choose to use it. It would probably make a far better cycle path.

The fundamental problem with this idea is the proposed route - note they are not suggesting reinstating the reasonably direct route between Ryde and Newport (which is partially occupied by the Isle of Wight Steam Railway) - but this envisages reopening the far longer route which headed west from Sandown to Merstone before turning North to follow the Blackwater valley to eventually reach Newport.

Sadly there is no real prospect of ever securing enough passenger flows to justify this.

The main regular passenger flows on the Island Line are to/from Ryde and on to the mainland. Even if you timetabled very effective connections at Sandown with services on the current Ryde-Shanklin route the overall route would take far longer than the typical 30 minute trip on the route 9 bus from Newport to Ryde Esplanade bus station (its only 15 minutes by taxi/car).

Moreover people without private transport living in Newport wishing to head for the mainland will probably still take the bus to the East Cowes ferry connection to Southampton which will probably be cheaper and quicker.

I rather doubt VivaRail need devote any time on this fantasy idea.

"These people" 😉

Looks familiar! link

Yes.

But that's not really for this forum, other than to say if you use in the way in which it has a negative connotation, there will be more writing in green ink.

230.002 in USA

If its the same as a normal vehicle

DPF Diesel Particulate Filter

I not surprised to see the DPF was found to be the source of the recent fire. It is good to see the fire supression systems were effective. Meanwhile an Internet Search quickly found Diesel Particulate Filters are involved in recalls and class actions linked to design faults and fire risks from several engine manufacturers.

I really think it will be interesting to see how long LNWR and TFW continue to stick with diesel units on their Class 230 units now that VivalRail have a proven and Network Rail approved fast charging system, which together with the modular fork lift replacement capability, should allow diesel gen sets to be quickly replaced with battery rafts which would allow the units to operate entirely emission free with any necessary charging done during dwell time at terminal stations and overnight storage. It will be interesting to see if recent rumours about a battery Class 230 units heading for the Greenford shuttle service come to pass.

Let's hope the webcam has been repaired by then.