FROM STEAM RAILWAY NEWS

ISSUE No. 13, DECEMBER 1969

Although the railway does not run a passenger service during the winter, months there is still plenty of work for volunteers to do.  Now is the time for maintenance work to be done - and there any many ways in which volunteers can complement the work done by the Permanent Staff.

One of the jobs being done now is coach-painting.  A small band of enthusiasts - Mr. Crookall, Mr. Craine, Mr. Tunnicliffe and myself - have painted two coaches and in the paint shop now is F.35 which, when completed, will be the pride of the fleet.  More volunteers are required to help complete the coach-painting programme.  Please do not leave it to the "usual few". We also intent to paint the level crossing gates in the spring and if time permits touch up some of the stations.

All this takes time and is the sort of job which may not be done at all if volunteer help is not available in sufficient quantites.  The Permanent Staff are very busy on permanent way work and have little time to spare for these tasks; it is up to YOU to come along and help for a day, a weekend, or longer if you can.  Help from people who live on the Isle of Man is particularly welcome as their travelling costs are low and the time that they save in travelling can be used in working.

Come on - its up to YOU!  Contact Bob Howard at 2 Tennis Road, Douglas or Max Crookall at the Douglas Station.  There is often someone working in the paintshop (behind the steam shed) on Saturday morning and afternoon and Sunday morning.