Island Line, Isle of Wight

The Island Line is a railway line on the Isle of Wight which runs along the island's east coast and links Ryde Pier Head with Shanklin. Trains connect at Ryde Pier Head with passenger ferries to Portsmouth Harbour, and these ferries in turn connect with the rest of the National Rail network via the Portsmouth Direct Line. The line also connects to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, a heritage railway, at Smallbrook Junction. For much of its length the line runs alongside the A3055, criss-crossing this road by means of the Ryde Tunnel and bridges at Rowborough, Morton Common, Lake Hill and Littlestairs.

Island Line
An Island Line Class 484 at Shanklin in 2022
Overview
StatusOperational
OwnerSouth Western Railway
LocaleIsle of Wight
Termini
Service
TypeCommunity railway
Operator(s)Island Line
Depot(s)Ryde
Rolling stockBritish Rail Class 484
History
Opened5 April 1880
Closed3 January 1967 (temporarily)
Reopened1 April 1967
Closed3 January 2021 (temporarily)
Reopened1 November 2021
Technical
Line length8+12 mi (13.7 km)
Number of tracksMixture of single and double track
CharacterFully grade separated except foot crossings
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Loading gaugeW6
Route availabilityRA 1
Electrification750 V DC third rail (660 V DC before January 2021)
Operating speed45 mph (72 km/h)
Route map

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