Island Line is the story of the Isle of Wight's award-winning electric railway. The Island's train services link high-speed ferries from Portsmouth to the main resorts on the east coast of the Isle of Wight. The Isle of Wight Railways at one time could boast a network of 55.5 miles with 36 stations. It took 38 years to develop but could not be sustained and only lasted for 52 years. All that remains of that former network is the electrified line from Ryde to Shanklin. It is this 8.5 mile route which is the subject of this fascinating book.
Starting with its opening in 1864, through its fight for survival, and the transition from steam to electric traction in 1967, Island Line details the life and times of the Isle of Wight railway. The reasons for using ex-London Underground trains are explained, along with details of passenger and engineering stock. Finally, the reader is taken on an informative guided tour of the route.
Chapter One relates the rise and fall of the Isle of Wight railway between the years 1862 and 1966, giving the reader a concise history of the county’s train network. There were several small independent companies serving different parts of the island, which eventually amalgamated during the late 1940s under British Railways. The nationalised service did not invest sufficient money in the existing system causing it to spiral downwards to its demise, leaving only the Ryde to Shanklin route operating.
This chapter also gives an overview of the transition from steam to electric; the difficulties with finding suitable vehicles, the alterations made to the track to accommodate the change and the revision of the timetable. It continues through the effects of the Rail Privatisation Bill of 1993 and on to the present day.
Chapter Two describes, in far more detail, the various types of train used once the route had been electrified, accompanied by a selection of contemporary photographs in full colour. Set out in easy-to-read table form are standard stock island service details, car formations, and other technical information.
The following chapters (see scan of the contents page) are rather like a rail-enthusiast's photo-album collated into suitable categories. Chapter Five gives details of each of the eight different stations including a brief history, diagrams of their layouts and a selection of photographs of the trains in action.
