Subscribe to download
The Isle of Wight Proposal

The Isle of Wight Proposal

Route Data;
Location: Isle of Wight, UK
Track Gauge: Standard (1,435mm)
Operator: Island Line (IL) & Isle of Wight Steam Railway (IOWSR)
Focus Period: From 2020
Common Rolling Stock: British Rail Class 456 EMU, Class 73 and Heritage Rolling Stock & Locomotives
Mainline Speeds: 20MPH to 55MPH

History:

The Isle of Wight (IOW) pre-1960's had 56 miles of complex track across the island, linking north to south, east to west with regular passenger and freight trains running all over the island, however with increased popularity of the car, many lines closed as part of the Beeching Axe, including, Shanklin to Ventnor, Brading to Bembridge, Ryde to Cowes via Newport, Newport to Freshwater, Newport to Sandown via Merstone and Merstone to Ventnor West. The only line to survive the Beeching cuts was the Ryde to Shanklin section, later the Isle of Wight Steam Railway (IOWSR) was later formed running on a section of track between Smallbrook Junction and Wootton.

During the early 2000's a proposal was put forward to reopen the section of track from Wootton to Cowes via Newport and down to Ventnor to try and remove traffic and bring in additional tourism to the areas, neither of which came too, much of the remaining section of the Island Line has been neglected, 1938 London Underground Rolling Stock, sheds that are not meant for heavy work, track that is only just barely useable and minimum signal requirements.

The Route:

This alternative future takes place in 2020, a few years after Stagecoach won the franchise bid, as part of the agreement, they had to invest in upgrading the Island Line, this involved new heavy equipment sheds at Ryde & Sandown for the new (but old) Class 456 to allow better maintenance, new signals to allow more trains to run and allow a 30 minute service, which offered a better connection to the Fastcat service at the Pier Head, instead of the old 20/40 minute service. Ryde tunnel was also rebuilt to allow the class 456 to go through and a new pumping station built on in the former up side of the tunnel.

During this time of refurbishment, The Isle of Wight Steam Railway were given permission to finally push into Ryde St Johns Road, occupying Platforms 1 & 2, meaning the Island Line services now only operate from Platform 3. As part of trying to save money for both companies, the Island Line and the Isle of Wight Steam Railway now share certain resources, at Sandown sidings, they both use the heavy equipment shed, collect ballast and track for any work required, a shunter operates and takes the works train after the last service of the day on the Island Line.

DLC Required;

* Island Line: http://steamproxy.com/steamstore/app/24021/
* London to Brighton: http://steamproxy.com/steamstore/app/208280/
* Portsmouth Direct: http://steamproxy.com/steamstore/app/65218/
* London to Faversham Highspeed: http://steamproxy.com/steamstore/app/222557/
* South London Line: http://steamproxy.com/steamstore/app/222638/
* West Coast Mainline - Trent Valley: http://steamproxy.com/steamstore/app/325954/

Quick Drive for some reason for me, never works so please don't ask, if you have the South London Line, you should be able to see it in Free Roam or in the Build Menu once it's downloaded.