One of the Isle of Wight's outgoing Island Line trains looks set to be preserved on the mainland when it leaves service early in 2021.
With the final withdrawal of Island Line's 80 year-old Class 483 trains a little over a month away, the London Transport Traction Group has been officially informed by South Western Railway that it has successfully secured one of the trains for preservation at the Epping Ongar Railway in Essex.
An official from South Western Railway informed the group it "will have a unit for preservation" but "can't confirm which unit yet", but will most likley be offered to the London Transport Traction Group 483006 or 483008.
This is pending a final decision from the Science Museum's Railway Heritage Designation Advisory Board who is managing the disposal of some of the trains.
These two units are the current backbone of the Island Line service. Freshly-Overhauled, and due to return to service for the final month of operation for these venerable trains, Unit 483007 is also set for preservation, but not by the London Transport Traction Group. It is speculated that this unit will be heading for the Isle of Wight Steam Railway for display in their 'Train Story' Museum.
South Western Railway told the London Transport Traction Group that they should expect to be able to collect their unit from Island Line "around the end of the line closure in March". The unit will then be transported back to the mainland for restoration and conversion to battery operation.
Daniel Nash, Secretary and Founder of the London Transport Traction Group, said:
"For us this is truly wonderful news, but it also represents only the first step in our journey that we hope will soon see a class 483 train, cosmetically restored to 1950s London Transport condition, running on the Epping Ongar Railway under its own power and visiting galas around the country. This will also enable us to take a tube train where none has ever gone before, allowing us to introduce the joy of the 1938 Tube stock to new audiences.
"To do this we require donations. Our pledge scheme has been very successful, but we still require support. Earlier this week we opened up membership and donation options, which may be found on our website. Although these are difficult times for many, we would greatly appreciate any assistance that you may be able to offer to our exciting, innovative and youthful project that has the potential to lead the way in electric railway preservation."
Both 483006 and 483008 entered service with London Transport in 1940 and served London Transport until 1988 when they were withdrawn from the Northern Line. 483008 entered Island Line service with British Rail's Network Southeast division in June 1990, followed by 483006 the following month. They are due to run in regular passenger service for the final time on Sunday January 3, bringing to an end a career spanning over 80 years and an Island Line career spanning over 30 years.
They will be replaced by the new Class 484 trains, the first of which arrived on the Isle of Wight last week.
The Class 484s re-use the body-shells, running gear and other small components from ex-London Underground D78 trains from the District Line, completely overhauled and refurbished with many new features. Five trains have been ordered with the rest of the fleet due to be delivered between January and March.
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