Costing How Much? (mini blog 2)

1. No Idea - But Far Too Much! (1)

The Isle of Wight Observer tried to find out how much had been spent on this extensive list of very expensive work on the Island Line, culminating in work on two over bridges. Neither Notwork Rail nor the Department for Transport (DaFT) could give a figure and both suggested that the press should contact First Rail, holders of the franchise, 

First did not reply.

Whether it makes any sense to spend loadsamoney on a service with carries few passengers and is already heavily subsidised must be very doubtful. 

The £2/£3 fare cap has been snaffled by Rachel, but she could have saved even more cash by closing the line down.

Having begun the process of dismantling the fare cap and freezing many pensioners, the Government is now offering billions of largesse to "improve bus services". Is it fbb's imagination or aren't these policies contradictory?

 

But, back on the IoW, we need to look at history to explain why work on the road bridges should cause some grief to Islanders.

The line originally terminated at what is now St Johns Road Station. The Pier Tramway company extended their horse drawn pier line to the old terminus ...,

... via the ORANGE line, shown above against the later "proper" railway. The roads that now cross the Island Line did not exist or were of very minor use and the tram simply crossed "at grade". Part of the  former tramway can be traced as on this Google aerial view below but the only housing in the way, back then, was on the Esplanade. (houses with lawn, the beach is just visible top right).

But the link to the Esplanade had a problem. The only available road (Cornwall Street) was built on a culvert above Monktonmead Brook. The town's authorities were uneasy about heavy horse drawn trams damaging the culvert or, indeed, falling into the murky depths of the water below.

So the tramway went through the house, seen below looking North, then again looking South from the Esplanade.

When the tramway closed, the property's owners got an extra room or two as the hole was filled in, again looking North, then South.

fbb can find no evidence as to whether the house was built with the hole or whether the tramway company paid out muchfind gold to facilitate their short-lived horse-dawn progress through someone's posh sitting room.

When the "proper" railway was extended to the Pier, three bridges were needed. That on St Johns Road itself (next to the former terminus) obliterated the ground floor entrance of what is now a disused and dilapidated building.

Park Road and Rink Road bridges ...

... were built on the cheap with no proper pavements and hardly any width to add them later. Here is Park Road ...

.. and, similarly, Rink Road.

So Notwork Rail has been at work.

But the locals are protesting in huge crowds ...

... because they don't  like the walls (?).

... complete with very feeble  posters, probably created just for the press photo. Apparently the new "walls" (correct word "parapets") are, so they claim, simply too high to enjoy the enriching views of Monktonmead brook and the railway.

And the walls are made of metal. Ryde deserves better! 

Actually, as you can see from the former glorious view, the "walls" always were metal. But it is true that they are higher. The brook is there, on the right of the railway tracks, lost to view amongst undergrowth and picturesque industrial premises. But that glorious view is no more!

Anyway, he bridges have had new decks with proper footpaths and the Island Line trains can now run through again.

Except they can't.

Without satisfactory explanation, Notwork Rail has closed the Pier again and trains are only running to/from Esplanade station.

There is a bright side (or not, according to your point of view). With the pier closed, Island Line can run a proper every 30 minute frequency service but one which now doesn't connect with any ferries!

Good, innit!

2. It Was Cheap! (ish?)

It was half price!

It is a gorgeous model with excellent exterior detail ...

... and full interior fittings.

fbb has not yet been brave enough to take the lid off, but this O gauge version from Heljan will give some idea of what is in there.

Some real saloons have been given more luxurious interiors.

Nice.

In due course fbb will give his readers a real treat by showing the wide range of prices you could pay if you wanted a similar vehicle for your layout.

P.S. The view from the front door of fbb mansions earlier today.

Is it sleet or sneet, snush or ?slow? Whatever it is it is neither pleasant nor beautiful.

 Next X84 blog : Friday 22 Nov