The train signalling book from St Johns from March 1963 to June 1964 has recently come into the possession of a private collector in the U.K. who has allowed me sight of it. Some of the most interesting entries concern the T.T. races in 1963 and 1964. On Monday 10^th June 1963, a special ran from Douglas to the Ramsey line at 09.20. This may have been the ambulance train arranged in connection with the T.T. races or a special to take spectators to the T.T. Course. The ambulance train was not required that day.

The coaches appear to have returned as part of a service train. Wednesday 12^th June: the special or ambulance train left from Douglas at 09.25 went to Kirk Michael where it arrived at 10.12 and returned from there at 10.20 and arrived back at St. John’s at 10.40. The service continued normally until, at 13.14, the ambulance train was dispatched to Ballacurry (between St. John’s and Crosby) where it arrived at 13.21; "picked up Dr etc at B'craine"; left Ballacurry at 14.15 for Douglas where it arrived at about 14.40. The unfortunate victim was presumably then taken to hospital by ambulance, arriving there some two hours after his accident.

The ambulance train comprised a locomotive and one of the Empress Vans, F27 or F28.Friday 14^th June saw the Special arriving at St. John’s from Douglas at 09.49. It left for Kirk Michael four minutes later and the loco arrived back "Light Engine" at 10.53 (in good time to take the Ramsey portion of the 10.40 from Douglas). In 1963, for the first time, a helicopter was provided to get medical attention to accident victims and move them to hospital in Douglas. Here are the relevant entries for the following year, 1964: Monday 8^th June: train left Douglas at 09.20, arrived at Kirk Michael at 10.11 and returned from there at 10.20 to arrive at St. John’s at 10.40. Wednesday 10^th June: similar times are recorded from Douglas to Kirk Michael and back to St. John’s: then at 12.28 the ambulance train left St. Johns for Crosby: it was there from 12.37 to 13.16 when it returned to St. John’s. Friday 12 the specials ran but the ambulance train was not needed.I have no information about 1965 but it may be assumed that the same pattern was followed.

A printed source states that, although no passenger trains ran in 1966, the railcars were stationed at St Johns during the T.T. races to honour the agreement with the Auto Cycle Union. I have never seen any other records of the running of the ambulance trains: my guess is that railway enthusiasts kept away from the IoM during the T.T. races (as they still do!) and it is unlikely that any-one involved in operating the trains still survives…I seem to recall advertising about the special from Douglas to Kirk Michael in connection with the T.T. races, possibly in the Port Erin Museum. Can any-one provide evidence? Can we indentify which races took place on Monday, Wednesday, Friday in those two weeks? Is it possible to discover the name of the person carried on the train from Ballacurry to Douglas on Wednesday 12^th June? It appears likely that he was the very last person who was helped by the Isle o Man Railway in this way. Is there any other information that any-one can add about the ambulance trains?

Any information will be gladly received and incorporated into future notes on this matter, please refer it to my e-mail address: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS CAN ALSO BE PASSED TO THE EDITOR FOR INCLUSION IN FUTURE ISSUES.