British Rail Class 483

British Rail Class 483
A Class 483 at Shanklin
The refurbished interior of an Island Line Class 483 EMU.
In service1938–1988 on London Underground (as 1938 stock)
1989–2021 on Island Line
ManufacturerMetro-Cammell
Family nameTube
ReplacedBritish Rail Classes 485 and 486
SuccessorBritish Rail Class 484
Formation2 cars per trainset
Capacity84 seats (2 car set)
OperatorsIsland Line
DepotsRyde depot
Specifications
Car length52 ft 3+34 in (15.94 m)
Maximum speed45 mph (72 km/h)
Weight55 t (54 long tons; 61 short tons) each 2 car set.
Power output500 kW (670 hp) total power per 2 car set.
Electric system(s)660 V DC 3rd rail[1]
Current collector(s)Contact shoe
Multiple workingWithin class
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge

The British Rail Class 483 electric multiple units were originally built 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 been used for nearly 50 years on the London Underground network. The units replaced the even older and life-expired British Rail Classes 485 and 486 units which were introduced in 1967, but were originally built as 'Standard' stock units for the London Electric Railway in 1923.

The trains were 83 years old when they were withdrawn in January 2021; they were the oldest passenger trains in Great Britain remaining in regular passenger service at the time.[2][3] They were withdrawn on 3 January 2021, with the line closed from 4 January until 1 November 2021 for upgrade works, after which they were replaced by Class 484s.[4][5] Of the six units present on the Island at the time of their withdrawal, all have been confirmed for preservation.

  1. ^ "Route Specifications 2016 Wessex" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 May 2021. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
  2. ^ Clifton, Paul (4 January 2021). "Island Line bids farewell to "icon of transport"". Rail. Bauer Consumer Media. Archived from the original on 8 January 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  3. ^ Clinnick, Richard (4 January 2021). "Island Line bids farewell to "icon of transport"". RAIL. Archived from the original on 8 January 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  4. ^ Marriott, Alan (20 August 2020). "Isle of Wight faces three months with no trains on Island Line". Isle of Wight County Press. Newsquest. Archived from the original on 21 August 2020. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  5. ^ "Isle of Wight rail line reopens 10 months after £26m overhaul". BBC News. 1 November 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.

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