Train services from Ryde Pier to Shanklin on the Isle of Wight have resumed this morning (Friday 2 May), four days earlier than anticipated.

The Island Line has come back into operation now that engineers have completed what Network Rail calls “a complex programme to repair and refurbish the historic structure”, Ryde Pier.

The first train in the restored service departed Ryde St Johns station at 05:23 this morning, arriving at Ryde Pier Head station at 05:29. The first train to Shanklin departed from Ryde Pier Head at 06:03.

Train services stopped running on the Island Line in September 2024. The section of the line between Ryde Esplanade and Ryde Pier Head remained closed, while the rest of the line reopened after one month’s work, while the section along the pier remained closed.

The closure enabled Network Rail and South Western Railway (SWR) engineers to carry out repair and maintenance work on Ryde Pier. This will ensure that the Pier can carry trains safely and reliably into the future.

During the eight months since, engineering workers have:

• installed 590m of new rail
• replaced 450 wooden sleepers with new composite sleepers, which better withstand extreme weather conditions
• installed 2,500m of new rail bearers, the steel girders between the Pier sub-structure and the sleepers and rails
• refurbished the underside of the Pier sub-structure.

The whole Island Line has been closed for the last week, while engineers completed the final preparations. These included:

• building a new under track crossing at Brading, which will allow essential cabling to be moved from one side of the railway to the other
• removal of all materials and temporary buffer stops at Ryde Pier
• testing signals
• training drivers to refresh their knowledge.

B-Roll (secondary footage) from the work, filmed in December, is shown in this video:

“We are pleased that Island Line is now running normally again from Ryde Pier Head to Shanklin, after extensive works.

“This will be welcome news for commuters and business people, Islanders travelling to and from the mainland and holidaymakers who want to explore the coast and countryside of the Isle of Wight and link up with the Steam Railway.

“Wightlink’s FastCats connect with Island Line to offer a reliable and efficient service to Portsmouth Harbour and onward journeys by rail, bus and coach.”

Dean Murphy, Director of Port Operations for Wightlink