The remnant of the once extensive railway system on the island returned to private ownership on 13th October 1996 with the Scotland based Stagecoach Group in possession of the franchise for five years, branded as The Island Line. This franchise was separate from the South West Trains franchise, also run by the Stagecoach Group, the other side of the Spithead. It is also a franchise unique in the privatised structure in that the train operating company is responsible for maintaining the infrastructure. The initial franchise was extended in stages until February 2007 when it was incorporated into the new larger South West Trains franchise, which continues to be run by the Stagecoach Group.

Remarkably in 2008 the 1938 series London Underground tube stock remains in service. In 1999, three units (001, 003 and 005) were withdrawn and, along with the spare bodyshells, cannibalised leaving just six two-car units on the line. Instead of gaining some form of Stagecoach Group livery, even the modified version of Network SouthEast livery initially applied by South West Trains, the units had promotional "Dinosaur" vinyls applied - advertising the island's Jurassic connections. In 2007 the remaining units were bought from the HSBC lessors for £1. One might think that a vinyl overlay would protect the metal bodywork from the salt-laden air better than paint, however once moisture gets below the vinyl it is trapped and corrosion is actually worse. Therefore in the past few years the vinyls have been removed and units painted into a "heritage" London Underground red and cream livery. Concurrently stations have ben repainted into a "heritage" Southern green and cream scheme, though ironically the signs are similar to those used by the South Central franchise, also just across the Spithead, branded as Southern and run by the rival Govia Group.

As in our 1976 glimpse we are going to take a trip from Ryde Pier Head to Shanklin, viewing various up and down trains as we go, but before we depart we are going to spend a short time inspecting the infrastructure around Ryde Pier.

Unless otherwise indicated, photographs in our 2008 glimpse are by Colin Watts and were taken on 23rd April.

In 1878 plans were drawn up to build a third pier to bring the railway from Ryde St. John's Road station, via a tunnel, to Ryde Pier Head. This railway pier opened in July 1880. This photograph shows the now disused "shuttle" platform at Ryde Pier Head. It is understood that the second track across the pier was last used in 2007.

Protected from the wind and sitting in the shade of the station's enormous screen, unit 009 awaits passengers at Ryde Pier Head station prior to its departure as the 14:49 departure to Shanklin.

Looking further left, the remains of the former Pier Tramway station, next to Ryde Pier Head station. The trams were originally horse-drawn until 1885, when the line was electrified. This became one of the first electric railways in the world, only two years behind the Volks Electric Railway not so far away at Brighton, and earlier than the electrification of the London Underground. Petrol-engine trams were introduced in 1927, which were then converted into diesels in 1959. The pier trams were in service until 1969, when they were withdrawn and dismantled. A shuttle train service replaced the tram.

The landward end of the former tramway and the remains of the former Pier Tramway station next to Ryde Esplanade station. Ryde tramway pier opened on 29th August 1864.The trams went from the pier head to Ryde Esplanade, and into Ryde itself. The tramway pier has been unused since closure of the tramway in 1969 although plans have been made at various times to either convert the pier into a pedestrian walkway, or even rebuild the tramway. However, almost forty years later much of the structure can still be seen.

The exterior of the rather functional looking Ryde Esplanade station.

Besides station buildings and the depot, the principal structures on the line comprise Ryde tunnel, Ryde Pier, Esplanade station, 8 underbridges, 9 overbridges, 7 side-of-line bridges, 6 footbridges, 3 subways, and 3 culverts.