British Rail Class 483
The British Rail Class 483 electrical multiple units were originally built by Metro-Cammell as 1938 tube stock units for London Underground. They were extensively refurbished between 1989 and 1992 by Eastleigh Works, for use on services on the Isle of Wight's Island Line. This was despite having already worked for nearly fifty years on the London Underground. The units replaced the even older and life-expired Class 485 and Class 486 units, which were introduced in 1967, but were originally built as 'Standard' stock units for the London Electric Railway in 1923.
| British Rail Class 483 | |
|---|---|
 Class 483, no. 483001, pictured in 1989. At the time, the line was operated as part of Network SouthEast. | |
| In service | 1938 on London Underground 1989- 2021 on Island Line |
| Manufacturer | Metro Cammell |
| Formation | 2 cars per trainset |
| Capacity | 84 seats |
| Operator | Island Line Trains |
| Depot(s) | Ryde depot |
| Specifications | |
| Maximum speed | 45 mph |
| Weight | 55 tonnes |
| Power output | 500 kW |
| Voltage | 750 V DC 3rd rail |
| Gauge | Standard gauge |
British Rail Class 483 Media
Interior (left) and exterior (right) door open/close buttons retro-fitted to the BR Class 483 units.
483006 stands at Ryde Pier Head in 2007, sporting its dinosaur livery intended to attract tourists to the line.
484001 stands next to 483009 at Ryde Traincare Depot, illustrating the difference in loading gauge between the ex-deep-level Tube Class 483 unit and the ex-sub-surface Class 484 unit
Island Line No. 008 arrives at Ryde Pier Head, wearing the final used livery based on that of London Transport.
Island Line Class 483 EMUs No. 002 and 007 at Ryde Electric Depot.
Class 483 unit No. 001 on display at Ryde depot in 1989, shortly after transfer to the Isle of Wight. It carries British Rail's Network SouthEast livery.
Dinosaur liveried 483006 at work with Island Line in June 2008.
Island Line Class 483 No. 007 departs Smallbrook Junction, with a service bound for Ryde Pier Head.
Island Line Class 483 No. 008 arrives at Shanklin.
A pair of Island Line Class 483s in London Underground livery entering the Ryde tunnel.
Other websites
Media related to British Rail Class 483 at Wikimedia Commons
- Official website of the operator of Class 483 EMUs Archived 2012-09-13 at the Wayback Machine
