Brading station (1) 20200914--151
Class 483 EMU (former London Underground 1938 Tube Stock) set 006 departs from Brading, working 2D21 10.49 Ryde Pier Head - Shanklin. [Pole, 6/6 sections (~8.1m)]
Brading was once the junction for the branch to Bembridge (closed to all traffic in 1957), hence the station has more than two platforms. The signalbox dates from 1882, but closed in October 1988 when the passing loop was removed and all signalling was transferred to Ryde St. Johns Road. The box had been Grade II listed in April 1986. Two decades after closing, it was restored by Brading Town Council using grants and volunteers, and since 2010 has been open to the public on certain days. The upgrading of the Island Line planned for early 2021 will see Brading loop reinstated and a second platform brought back into use; allowing trains to pass here means a half-hourly service can be operated (the current track layout was designed for a twenty-minute interval service, but only two trains run each hour).
When I'd visited Brading a few days earlier, I'd taken the shot from beside the foot crossing south of the station (albeit not in full sun), but thought there might be a better angle if I was able to get further to my right. I worked out how to get there, but discovered that I had to stand further to the right than I really wanted in order to see over the trees, because I had to stand several metres back from them. Luckily it was a very calm day with no wind at all (away from the coast) so, for the first time, I was able to extend the pole to its full height.
Brading station (1) 20200914--151
Class 483 EMU (former London Underground 1938 Tube Stock) set 006 departs from Brading, working 2D21 10.49 Ryde Pier Head - Shanklin. [Pole, 6/6 sections (~8.1m)]
Brading was once the junction for the branch to Bembridge (closed to all traffic in 1957), hence the station has more than two platforms. The signalbox dates from 1882, but closed in October 1988 when the passing loop was removed and all signalling was transferred to Ryde St. Johns Road. The box had been Grade II listed in April 1986. Two decades after closing, it was restored by Brading Town Council using grants and volunteers, and since 2010 has been open to the public on certain days. The upgrading of the Island Line planned for early 2021 will see Brading loop reinstated and a second platform brought back into use; allowing trains to pass here means a half-hourly service can be operated (the current track layout was designed for a twenty-minute interval service, but only two trains run each hour).
When I'd visited Brading a few days earlier, I'd taken the shot from beside the foot crossing south of the station (albeit not in full sun), but thought there might be a better angle if I was able to get further to my right. I worked out how to get there, but discovered that I had to stand further to the right than I really wanted in order to see over the trees, because I had to stand several metres back from them. Luckily it was a very calm day with no wind at all (away from the coast) so, for the first time, I was able to extend the pole to its full height.