FULL STEAM AHEAD
UK’s only floating train line reopens for the summer linking holiday island to 200-year-old seaside attraction
The floating train takes you to the oldest pier in the country
A UNIQUE UK floating train line has now reopened just in time for the summer.
The country's only floating train line, located in the Isle of Wight, has gained popularity for its incredible views of the coast during a half-mile journey.
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Known by its official name the Island Line, the scenic route takes visitors along the east coast of the Isle of Wight.
Part of the line, between Ryde and Shanklin, had been closed since September 2024 to give the railway a "new lease of life".
But it is now ready to welcome holidaymakers onboard as it has resumed operation on May 2.
Network Rail said engineers have carried out maintenance and refurbishment works to make the pier and the Island Line "more resilient to extreme weather" on the Solent strait.
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Conor Wilcox, project manager for the repairs, told Metro: "We’re in a really tricky environment here, we’ve got the sea, two tides a day, very adverse weather conditions over the winter, and we’ve had named storms.
"It’s been a challenge, but our great teams have really helped us cross the line on time, and it’s been a pleasure handing back the pier a week early."
Linking the esplanade and the pier head, the sea railway has historic roots in the area.
Ryde Pier was constructed in 1814 after ships struggled to reach the coast in low tides.
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It is now the oldest pier in the United Kingdom, with majority of its original structure still intact to this day.
However, Network Rail has replaced old steel bearers to give the pier another 60 years of life during the recent closure.
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Ryde Pier is the second-longest coastal pier in the nation, at 1,740 feet, after Southend's.
In 1824, it was expanded to 2,040 feet, making it the only construction of its kind in Britain.
Before the introduction of diesel engines in 1950s, the trams on the pier were powered by horses.
Now, you can walk, drive, or take the train to visit the scenic pier head, with approximately 600,000 people visiting each year.
The peculiar location gives the train's route a breathtakingly original backdrop.
The one-stop trip from Ryde Esplanade to Ryde Pier costs £1.70, and tickets for the route between Ryde and Shanklin start at £3.90.
Meanwhile, tickets to the mainland from Ryde start at about £23.20.
Visitors can also enjoy the Isle of Wight's many sandy white beaches, including Shanklin Beach, Sandown Beach, and Compton Bay.
Other available include surfing, water sports, an aqua park and even a wildlife sanctuary.
And if you don't want to head back to the headland right away, there are a wide variety of hotels available on the island.
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A Travel Lodge in Ryde has room starting from just £43 per night.
There are also numerous pubs and restaurants across the island's towns, with gastro pubs offering affordable meals for all the family.
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