Ticket to Ryde!

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Wightlink brought their new passenger ferries into service today so I went down to have a look. They are a great improvement on the previous “FastCats” with a sun deck which makes a superb viewing platform of the Solent scene. This is the first exterior deck facility on the route since the withdrawal of m.v. Southsea in 1988.

 

They would make an interesting modelling subject as they are propelled by conventional screws rather than waterjets.

 

Anyway, I had a great day with a fish & chips lunch in Ryde! I also picked up some nice books in Portsmouth Dockyard Royal Naval Museum shop which we will be using as prizes in forthcoming competitions.

 

Some more photos in my Wight Ryders album.

 

Colin

 

Edited By Colin Bishop on 29/09/2009 19:09:17

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Wightlink’s new passenger ferries

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

How about this pic then? Taken at Ryde pier head on sat 24th when we went over for the week end. Very swish, same internal layout mostly as per the old ones. Less grubby than the old ones, and with a better docking platform for the forrard crewman when berthing.

 

Sorry Colin, not a very interesting subject for the forumers judging by the views !

 

Not as racy looking as the old ones as the front isnt as steeply raked.

The old ones looked a bit “aluminiumy” as opposed to these which look like large plastic kits.

 

 

I was saving this post as I knew we were going over soon. Ashley

 

Edited By ashley needham on 26/10/2009 19:04:02

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Nice photo Ashley.

 

My wife and I have a short break in the IoW this coming weekend but we will be using the car ferry.

 

I have managed to get a general arrangement drawing of the Wight Ryders which I hope to use as the basis of an article in Model Boats.

 

The new ferries have conventional screws so could make a practical modelling project.

 

Cheers,

 

Colin

Edited By Colin Bishop on 26/10/2009 19:35:29

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