FROM STEAM RAILWAY NEWS

ISSUE No. 51 - JANUARY 1979

Lack of space in the last issue Sunday 1st October witnessed the last passenger train for the 1978 season with a special departing from Douglas Station at 10.30am bound for Port Erin with a party for the Marine Biological Station.  The train returned at 4.00pm, which also took the opportunity in bringing back to Douglas the two Port Erin coaches.  The next day saw the railway change into its winter role of maintenance with the diesels and the bridge gang, working at the Rifle Range.  In Douglas F.10 and F.35 were moved into the paint shop, F.43 to the joiners' shop, F.29 outside between the steam shed and joiners' shop.  On 5th October the diesels were moved out of Douglas as the Nunnery Bridge was about to be removed.  Unfortunately the clutch on number 20 gave out so number 19 had to reverse all the way to Ballasalla Station; later number 20 was moved to Port Erin for repairs.  On the 16th October No. 11 Maitland was in steam and moved F.66 to the steam shed so that its body could be removed and placed on the frames of F.64.  No. 11 also moved No. 14 Thornhill from the carriage shed to road nine.  This engine was removed by low loader the following day to a site near Ramsey, the home of the engine's purchaser.  Two days later No. 11 was again in steam with F.54, F.71 and F.67 publicity pictures were taken for a ballet company touring the island.  On 9th November the Wickham was loaded onto a lorry and taken to Ballasalla Station for use by the P.W. gangs.  Further stock movement in Douglas on 21st November: No. 11 moved F.41 to the paint shop, F.39 the the joiners' shop and F.10 and F.67 to the steam shed.

The remains of No. 10 G.H. Wood were moved into the shops and the cylinders removed, as they were now past reboring and resleeving.  A set of cylinder castings for this engine are on order.  During the month of November No. 13 Kissack was being stripped down for inspection by the boiler surveyor; at Port Erin shed No. 4 Loch was also being prepared for a similar inspection.  The rolling stock is also receiving similar attention.  Brake F.41 is having major repairs carried out, worn and corroded parts of the frame being replaced.  The guards' portion has had windows put into the sides and seats will be fitted in order to carry an additional 12 passengers.  F.39 which has been little used during past years is receiving similar attention and will be in revenue service in 1979 as part of the Manx Northern Railway's centenary commemoration.  The frame of F.64 and its bogies have been overhauled and the body of F.66 has been placed thereon.  It is hoped to carry out repairs to other coaches before next summer.

It is intended that the locomotives are overhauled, they will be repainted in various colours.  As pentioned in a previous issue No. 4 Loch has received a maroon livery and other will be painted black, various greens and another shade of red.  The object is to promote the interest of passengers, many of whom think there ae only one or two locos doing services.  The basic livery of the coaches is re remain except for that an orange line between the maroon and cream has replaced the old black line.  A new railways crest and yellow plastic lettering "Isle of Man Railways" is now being carried by the carriage stock.  The inside painting is done in brighter colours and it is hoped to introduce advertising panels in the near future.

A new boiler for No. 12 Hutchinson has been ordered from Israel Newton of Bradford who are also to fit a new firebox and retube the boiler of No. 10 G.H. Wood.  It has been decided to retain five locos for operations, namely Nos. 4, 10, 11, 12 and 13, there being the locos in the best condition.  Goods stock is virtually non-existant, there being three wagons and two vans in useable condition.  Consideration is being given to transferring and modifying surplus vans from the M.E.R. is [sic.] needed.  Ballasalla Station is the depot this winter for all P.W. equipment, the diesels and Wickham.  As noted in the last issue, some 3,000 sleepers had arrived together with another quarter-mile of 75lb. rail.  It is understood that most of this winter's work will be from Ballasalla towards Douglas.  The rails were removed from the Nunnery Bridge during the second week of October and a firm of outside contractors began cutting up the bridge shortly after.  The new bridge is under construction and should be in place by the end of March.  It is understood that the bridge is being constructed by a local firm, Messrs. Wilson & Collins, and it will be similar in outline but will have outriggers to support the planks for painting and maintenance purposes.  Two members of staff have been busy stripping ivy and repointing the other bridges along the line.  The old water tower at Castletown Station has been demolished and the stone used to form a flower bed by the goods shed.

The Peel platform canopy at Douglas Station has also been demolished with only part of the canopy covering the concourse and about a quarter of the Port Erin platform now left.  During December for former ticket office inside the station building was moved from its position on the back wall, to nearer the front doors of the building and it is intended to use this wooden office as the ticket office with a shop being constructed behind it.  The staff finished work for their Christmas break on the 22nd December with the diesels and Wickham being stabled at Ballasalla.  Following two days of continuous rain the supporting bank between Port Soderick summit and the station, very near the top car park on the headland slipped into the road leaving several sections of track suspended in mid-air.  Thus, the line is now cut in three sections.