Seen arriving at Ryde Esplanade, on the Isle of Wight, is Class 483 no 006. The train has just come along Ryde Pier from the Pier Head station. On the right, in the background, you can see the catamaran ferry service from the mainland, which the train had met. The Class 483 electrical multiple units were originally built in 1938 as tube stock units for London Underground. Withdrawn by LU in 1985 after 47 years service, they were extensively refurbished between 1989 and 1992 by British Railways for use on services on the Isle of Wight. The units are still working today, now being around 75 years old, making these units the oldest type in Great Britain to remain in regular service. Following Rail Privatisation in the mid 1990s, the trains are now operated by South West Trains, who have no current plans to replace them. So we will see them carry on for several more years yet.
