The first of six Class 483 two-car EMUs operated by Stagecoach/South West Trains on the Isle of Wight Community Rail Network has been rolled out in ‘Heritage’ livery, the remaining five sets will be painted in a like colour scheme by the summer.

It has been a long-term wish of the Island Rail team, under the leadership of General Manager Andy Naylor to outshop its trains in burgundy and cream, which they sported when introduced in 1940 on the London Tube network, the sets are of 1938-tube design.

The 17th birthday of the Class 483s working on the line was celebrated on 18 January 2008 when set No. 004 was rolled out of Ryde St Johns Works to the rail media, the SWT Managing Director Stewart Palmer, HSBC Rail and members of the Isle of Wight Community Rail Partnership.

Andy Naylor said he was very happy with the quality of the work undertaken at Ryde St Johns depot, saying that it had taken almost a year to get the depot ready for the work, and have the first set finished in heritage colours.

Funding for the project has been provided by HSBC Rail and was awarded at the time HSBC ‘sold’ the sets to South West Trains for just £1 in 2007.

Specialist Compliant Coatings (SCC) has undertaken repainting of the vehicles in upgraded facilities at Ryde St Johns Road depot. One delay in the project was the condition of the bodywork, which in the salt air environment of the Island had caused a number of areas of serious corrosion that required to be repaired before repainting could take place.

Interiors of the vehicles have been ‘cleaned up’. Upholstery was replaced a couple of years ago, but new signage has been provided reflecting the IOW Rail Partnership.

Following the roll out at Ryde St Johns Road, set No. 004 made a round trip over the Island network.