tubechallenge.com

I'm aware that the 1938 tube stock which runs on the Isle of Wight is being (finally) retired very soon. Does anyone know exactly when? I've had a look online but can't find an exact date for a final service. Maybe it's already been retired? COVID restrictions permitting, I'd like to have a Ryde on it before it goes.

3rd Jan 2021: http://news.railcam.uk/index.php/2020/1 ... c2p7RMMqY4

I managed to get over there and ride them in October (which was also my first visit to the IoW). Just a health warning, they are struggling to keep one train going, let alone both of them at the moment so cancellations can happen without much prior notice. Whilst you are over there, I would highly recommend getting a ride on the IoW Steam Railway if you can, was very impressed when I went on it. Not the world's longest line but very friendly staff and volunteers combined with a great base at Havenstreet makes for a worthwhile trip.

P.S. In a twist of irony, the steam train that was working whilst I was there on the heritage railway was built in 1952 and is therefore younger than the trains running on the mainline railway

if [REDACTED] i will on a (saturday in december not boxing day of course) be doing this with possibly iain mac naughton and das stevens. probably driving to southampton or portsmouth and there is room for one more in car perhaps.

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll see what I can do before the year's out.

Well, I guess I'll never ride them in mainline service. It would have been a nice thing to do but there are more important things in life.

Lunaticonthegrass wrote: ↑04 Jan 2021, 21:46 Well, I guess I'll never ride them in mainline service. It would have been a nice thing to do but there are more important things in life.

another chance lost due to government incompetance!

You may be interested in the work of the LTTG, including their aspirations involving 1938 stock use on the Epping Ongar Railway http://www.lttractiongroup.co.uk

You may also be interested in the former D stock opportunities on the Island Line in due course https://www.southwesternrailway.com/oth ... sland-life

DavidC wrote: ↑16 Jan 2021, 18:29 You may be interested in the work of the LTTG, including their aspirations involving 1938 stock use on the Epping Ongar Railway http://www.lttractiongroup.co.uk

You may also be interested in the former D stock opportunities on the Island Line in due course https://www.southwesternrailway.com/oth ... sland-life

Oooo, I didn't know there were plans to use them on the Epping-Ongar line, although I'm not that surprised. Another reason why I want to visit that line. Since they're ex-central line they'll be back on tracks they used to know well.

I was aware that they were being replaced with D78 stock. I have ridden that before but I'd like to ride the island line anyway. (And the heritage line there as well.)

Thanks for the information.

if you were planning to do an isle of wight i would suggest take a folding bike with you and take it on the portsmouth to fishbourne ferry and cycle to wootton bridge and come back via hover craft from ryde pier

Golf wrote: ↑18 Jan 2021, 13:12 if you were planning to do an isle of wight i would suggest take a folding bike with you and take it on the portsmouth to fishbourne ferry and cycle to wootton bridge and come back via hover craft from ryde pier

Oh dear, no.
That would involve going to Portsmouth twice.
...which is at least twice more than I'd recommend for anyone.

tintin wrote: ↑15 Feb 2021, 16:22

Golf wrote: ↑18 Jan 2021, 13:12 if you were planning to do an isle of wight i would suggest take a folding bike with you and take it on the portsmouth to fishbourne ferry and cycle to wootton bridge and come back via hover craft from ryde pier

Oh dear, no.
That would involve going to Portsmouth twice.
...which is at least twice more than I'd recommend for anyone.

Marginally better than southampton?

Golf wrote: ↑15 Feb 2021, 22:03

tintin wrote: ↑15 Feb 2021, 16:22

Golf wrote: ↑18 Jan 2021, 13:12 if you were planning to do an isle of wight i would suggest take a folding bike with you and take it on the portsmouth to fishbourne ferry and cycle to wootton bridge and come back via hover craft from ryde pier

Oh dear, no.
That would involve going to Portsmouth twice.
...which is at least twice more than I'd recommend for anyone.

Marginally better than southampton?

Not even close to the excellence of Southampton.

Here is hoping you dont make it to the semi finals of fa cup then. Imagine if fans were allowed that would be amazing.

Watching Mastermind last night, one contestant's specialist subject was "The History of Portsmouth". I didn't know it had any!