A heritage railway has told the Isle of Wight County Press of its excitement, as it prepares to welcome, as its newest attraction, what we know better as an Island Line train.

Epping Ongar Railway, based in Essex market town north of London, will rehome the outgoing 1938-built Class 483 train, when it is replaced in the new year.

Epping Ongar manager Dean Walton said: "Given our strong links with the Underground, we're very excited about the possibility of seeing a unit like this run under its own power."

A final date is yet to be set and 'detailed discussions' will still take place, but the London Transport Traction Group, which is behind the project, said it was 'delighted'.

It will receive either the 006, or the 008.

Isle of Wight County Press: Epping Ongar Railway

Epping Ongar Railway

Whichever it gets, it plans to restore it to London Transport condition, carry out work to allow it to run under its own power, and will show it off at galas around the country, alongside wowing visitors to Epping Ongar railway.

It is appealing for donations to support its plans.

Isle of Wight County Press: By London Transport Traction Group

By London Transport Traction Group

The Class 483 carriages have been running on the Isle of Wight since 1989.

They were offered to interested bidders in July, by South Western Railway.

Island Line is getting a £26 million investment project, which will see it close for a few months in the new year, for work on the track.

Scroll down for a linkto pictures of what will replace the Class 483s...

Isle of Wight County Press: Island Line train in service

Outgoing Island Line Class 483

The first of the new trains has already arrived (click on the link below to see our picture gallery).

In September 2019, at the official announcement of the project, Adrian Shooter, chief executive officer of Vivarail, which is tasked with constructing the new stock, said: "We are re-using the aluminium body shell from the D-78 stock from London underground, but every single thing inside will be brand new."

Improved access for disabled passengers, free wifi and a more comfortable ride are all promised.

Meanwhile, another of the outgoing 1938 trains could be heading to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.

It set out its ambition to provide a retirement home for one of the units as early as 2017.