FROM MANX STEAM RAILWAY NEWS

ISSUE No. 67, SUMMER 1983

There was a sequel to the Easter railway services at the Deputy High Bailiff’s Court on the 10^th May, when John Boshell of Hutchinson Square Douglas admitted trespassing on the railway line at Port Soderick and was fined £10. it was stated in court that on Easter Monday the 10.10am ex-Douglas train when approaching Port Soderick Station, came across a cyclist with his trials bike on top of him. The driver, John N. Elkin, immediately applied the engine’s brakes which locked up and slid towards the stricken rider, but somehow he was able to pull himself and his machine clear of the line and the train narrowly missed him by only a few inches. Boshell when interviewed later by the police stated that he thought the track “was derelict”.

Following the Easter services, the railway returned to its winter role of the Friday’s only Port Erin / Douglas return train, with No. 4 Loch and four coaches. On 7^th April, No. 13 Kissack on ballast working duties, derailed on the cattle dock siding at Ballasalla; the inspection of the line by the Isle of Man Passenger Transport Boards’ own inspector, Mr. Michael Lockhart took place on the 14^th April. On the return inspection run in the diesel railcars, one of the diesels failed at Ballawoods, but managed to limp back to Ballasalla Station where it was collected the following day by the Friday’s only train and brought back to Douglas.

The 1983 summer season of train services commenced on 9^th May (a week later than previous years) with No. 12 Hutchinson working from Douglas and No. 4 Loch from the south terminus. On the 16^th May, following an incident at Four Roads the gatekeeper, Albert Mawdesley was taken to hospital with lacerations to his head and a hip injury. It is understood that Mr. Mawdesley opened the gates in the usual manner for the oncoming train, No. 4 Loch with the 4.10pm ex-Douglas, but one of the metal gates swung across the railway line into the path of the train, the engine collided with the gate which swung back knocking the gate keeper to the ground. There was no damage to the train which made an emergency stop.

The Vintage Transport Weekend 28^th-30^th May (organised by the Passenger Transport Board) and the days which followed proved to be a week full of problems for the railway. On Sunday 29^th May, the diesel railcars made an early morning return run to Santon Station, crossing the 10.10am ex-Douglas (No. 12 with F.25, F.10, F.11 and F.18) at Port Soderick. The special train, double-headed by No. 13 Kissack and No. 11 Maitland with F.45, F.46, F.476, F.30, F.29, F.49 and F.49 left Douglas at 10.50am, crossing service trains at Port Soderick and Colby, with two run pasts at Santon and Colby. The special train was double-headed as far as Ballasalla, where No. 11 was removed to the rear of the train for the remainder of the run to Port Erin. Meanwhile, No. 12 Hutchinson on the 12.05pm ex-Port Erin was seriously derailed on entering Port Soderick Station, the points apparently being split, the locomotive took its own middle road into the station. The railcars were dispatched from Douglas, and collected the stranded passengers, and service from Douglas (the 2.10pm and the 4.10pm) were cancelled and replaced by a bus operating to Ballasalla, where No. 4 Loch connected with a train service to Port Erin. The return trip of the special train was delayed in Port Erin until 3.45pm (actual departure time should have been 2.25pm) and ran through to Ballasalla to await further instructions to proceed. At Port Soderick No. 12 Hutchinson was back on the tracks after three hours’ work and collected its coaches and continued on its way into Douglas. The special train with No. 13 Kissack and No. 11 Maitland at the rear proceeded from Ballasalla after a very cautious run through Port Soderick and arrived back in Douglas at 5.00pm.

With No. 12 Hutchinson in the workshops for attention after its mishap, No. 13 Kissack took over the special return trips to Santon Station. No. 11 Maitland was rostered for the Douglas services on the Tuesday but got no further than the Rock Cutting when it failed; No. 13 although in light steam was having new brake blocks fitted, but was quickly pushed into service and pushed the train into Port Soderick Station. Here No. 13 replaced the failed loco which returned on the rear of the 10.15am ex-Port Erin which was waiting to cross. No. 13 was indeed a lucky engine on the 1^st June when she jumped off the track and back on again at Ballashamrock while working the 4.15pm ex-Port Erin. But No. 12 Hutchinson wasn’t so lucky the following day. Having replaced No. 4 Loch on the 11.45am ex-Douglas, the locomotive’s pony truck became derailed at Ballakelly. It wasn’t too long before the train was on its way, crossing the 12.05pm ex-Port Erin at Ballasalla. The Douglas-bound train arrived at 1.50pm, the crew having a quick lunch before leaving again on the 2.10pm service.

On a final note, the Vintage Transport Festival weekend which according to one press report was a great success, is the confusing statements concerning the numbers which attended the weekend events. On the Manx Radio news the referred to 700 enthusiasts participating, and the Isle of Man Weekly Times stated 650; however, from reliable information received only 280 tickets were sold!

As reported in the previous issue, No. 11 Maitland has been undergoing major overhaul to its motion, cylinders and associated equipment during the past winter months. Work was continuing in early May, when it was suddenly realised by someone in management that they had advertised her as one of the locomotives for the double-headed train on the 29^th May. It was obvious that work on No. 11 was unlikely to be completed in normal working time before the special day, and thus overtime became the order of the day. No. 11 made her first appearance in light steam on Friday 27^th May in the new livery of I.M.R. “tuscan” red. Lining out in black with narrow vermillion line each side was being undertaken whilst in steam outside the workshops but, unfortunately could not be completed in time for the Sunday. However, after a number of short running-in trips to Keristal Summit she was ready for the special train. The lining out was completed some weeks later. It is understood that Mr. Peter Zebeck, as well-known I.M.R. photographer has paid for the repainting.

A number of special trains have been operated; the first on Sunday 22^nd May for Sealink; the special left Douglas at 10.50am picking up the party, including the Deputy Chairman of Sealink, at Castletown for a trip to Port Erin. The train left Port Erin at 3.30pm. Evening specials have proved popular with a 7.30pm Sealink train to Castletown on 7^th June, returning from there at 10.00pm (No. 11 Maitland with F.49, F.35 and F.31). members attending the N.A.G.L.O. conference left Douglas at 6.00pm on the 15^th June bound for Ballasalla, returning at 9.30pm. This train was expected to be of eight coaches and two engines but numbers were reduced at the last moment as some attendees had to go to an urgent meeting instead. An eight coach train did however operate on 22^nd June for mebers and competitors involved with Cycle Week; No. 12 Hutchinson and F.45, F.67, F.29, F.48, F.35, F.41, F.49, F.10 and No. 11 Maitland at the rear, left Douglas at 6.00pm bound for Castletown returning from there at 9.30pm. members from the Lancaster University hired a special train on the 16^th June leaving Douglas for the south at 8.30am, returning on the rear of the 10.15am ex-Port Erin. On Saturdays the 25^th June and 2^nd July specials for Campamerina Limited [sic] were operated. The first occasion No. 4 Loch made a morning return trip from Port Erin to Castletown, followed by a 5.00pm run from the southern terminus to Douglas, returning immediately upon arrival. The following Saturday it was only the 9.30am return trip Port Erin / Castletown which operated. There was a further hired special on Sunday 26^th June with No. 12 leaving Douglas at 1.15pm bound for Ballasalla, its return run being attached to the rear of the 12.15pm ex-Port Erin.

No advertised Lough Ned trains have operated this summer except that the railcars have made a couple of trips to the country park for booked parties.

No. 13 Kissack normally only used a spare engine deputising for the regular locomotives, has had a busy early summer. She took over duties from No. 4 Loch requiring servicing on 17^th May, and replaced No. 12 Hutchinson two days later. No. 11 was in trouble in the Rock Cutting on the 10.10am ex-Douglas on the 31^st May and No. 13 went to the rescue. This “spare” locomotive has also been noted on banking duties from Douglas on a number of occasions. With No. 4 Loch requiring attention from the workshop staff No. 13 became the south-based engine for the majority of June, No. 4 did reappear at the beginning of July but only for a few days as she required further attention, being replaced on different occasions by both Nos. 12 or 13.

Rumours that the railway was to close down for a week in June in order to cut the grass along the track for hay-making were proved to be unfounded when a weed killing special (the first time for some years) was operated by No. 12 on Saturday 21^st May. The “new” flail machine has also been at work along the lineside. As the result of the dry summer, a large number of lineside fires have been reported and it has been necessary for the railway’s “fire train” usually the diesel railcars pushing a runner with two large water tanks holding 1,000 gallons of water, pump and hoses, has been based at Douglas Station and runs as and when fires are reported. The train’s limit of operating is normally Port Soderick, with occasional trips to Santon Station. The radio system used on the railway has proved invaluable in the circumstances, as fires are reported by the train’s guard, contact can be kept with the fire train and special instructions given to service trains to wait at stations until the fire train has completes its task and is out of section.

An unfortunate incident involving the fire train happned in the early evening of Thursday 7^th July; with a considerable number of fires being reported that day, it was decided that on arrival in Douglas of the 4.15pm ex-Port Erin, the fire train should run as far as Ballasalla Station, the diesel railcars pushing the runner left Douglas and proceeded on its tour of inspection but shortly after Blackboards Bridge the runner, with a member of staff on board, became detached from the railcars and on the downward gradient to Ballasalla soon gathered speed. The runner demolished Ballawoods and Ballahick gates, hit Ballasalla gates and collided with a passing car being driven by a 68 year old lady from Douglas. The runner became derailed on the crossing and the runner and car crashed into a sod bank on the Castletown side of the crossing. Geoffery Moore, railway staff member on board the runner escaped injury and immediately went to the rescue of the woman car driver. Castletown Police and the Fire Brigade were quickly on hand at the scene, the main road being closed to road traffic until the runner and the remains of the car had been removed. The car driver, Mrs. Marjorie Inston was taken by ambulance to Noble’s Hospital where she was treated for lacerations which were understood not to be serious. Passenger Transport Board chairman, Mr. Dominic Delaney M.H.K. announced in Tynwald on the 12^th July that a full enquiry into the incident would be made. Mr. Delaney stated that “the statutory reports and enquiries have been instituted an details will shortly be made available. I would, on behalf of the board, wish to thank the members of the public and the emergency services for their prompt and efficient assistance at the time of the incident. Details of the accident I cannot at this time make public. The board’s Inspector of Railways (Mr. Michael Lockhart) was on the island inspecting the railways on behalf of the board. He has visited the site and has reported to the Chairman of the Executive Council and he is submitting her report shortly.”

Plans for the visit by Princess Alexandra and her husband the Hon. Angus Ogilvy were announced by Government Office on 29^th June. The plans include the opening of the new Douglas Breakwater, to be known as Alexandra Pier, and the Sulby Dam, together with a short ride on the railway from Ballasalla to Santon. Rumours of the Royal Train had been circulating for some weeks before the announcement of the visit plans, it was noted that the Queen’s Coach (F.36) was, on the 28^th June, being moved out of the Port Erin Railway Museum and attached to the rear of the 2.15pm ex-Port Erin. At the Douglas Workshops the coach received a check-over in readiness for the special journey. The Royal Train ride was arranged for Friday 15^th July and the previous evening a rehearsal for the run was operated. On the special day itself the first morning service trains operated as usual; the empty royal train, No. 11 Maitland with F.45, F.36 and F.49 left Douglas at 10.50am bound for Ballasalla, crossing the 10.15am ex-Port Erin at Port Soderick. The 11.45am left Douglas as usual, stopped at Santon, where its passengers disembarked. The train then reversed a short distance down the line. The 12.05pm ex-Port Erin also operated to time but was held at Castletown. At Ballasalla Station No. 11 and train waited for the royal couple,. With the diesel railcars acting as advanced pilot was held in the siding. The diesels left at 1.00pm and ran through to Santon Station checking the line. The royal party arrived at the station at 1.19pm and were instruction to the board’s chairman, the chief executive William Jackson, station master Peter Craine, driver Jeffrey Kelly, fireman Paul Rothwell and guard Glenn Davies. At 1.25pm (over an hour late on the scheduled time) the royal train left Ballasalla arriving at Santion Station at 1.37pm where the princess had another word with the train crew. After departure of the couple by road, the delayed 11.45am ex-Douglas moved back into the station, collected its passengers and continued on its way, crossing the 12.05pm ex-Port Erin at Ballasalla. The empty royal train later followed by the diesel railcars, returned to Douglas after the Douglas-bound 12.05pm ex-Port Erin had passed Santon. Th first afternoon service trains (the 2.10pm ex-Douglas and the 2.15pm ex-Port Erin) were cancelled; no 3.30pm from Port Erin as it was Friday! The 4.10pm ex-Douglas and the 4.15pm ex-Port Erin operated as usual, with the locos changing trains at Ballasalla so they would finish the day at their correct sheds.

The excepted bust T.T. week for the railway did not materialiseand no extra trains operated. The extra train from Douglas at 10.50am ran on one occasion before July, that was on 29^th June for Bride School. On Sunday the 3^rd July the full summer timetable came into operation with five trains each way. As in previous years’ the Southern 100 races in the Castletown / Ballabeg areas required the operation of a bus replacement service. These operated on 12^th and 13^th July with a train leaving Port Erin at 5.50pm, returning from Castletown at 6.45pm.

Locomotives in service during July were No. 11 Maitland from Douglas with No. 13 Kissack occasionally substituting, and No. 12 Hutchinson from Port Erin. No. 4 Loch remained in the Douglas Workshop for the majority of the month receiving attention to the boiler tubes; it is likely that this loco will become “spare”.

Despite the operation of trains, work continues on the permanent way in diffeent locations, replacing sleepers and reported broken rails. Short relay works have been noted at Ballalona Crossing and in the Santon and Ballasalla areas. As predicted in the last issue, two tracks have been reconnected to the carriage shed and various clearing of surplus or redundant lines has been carried out. Extra work for the permanent way staff which had to be carried out as a matter or urgency was the replacement of the crossing gates at Ballawoods, Ballahick and Ballasalla , the latter being a more difficult job in view of the rod connections with the road and rail signals. At Ballasalla Station, it is understood that part of the cattle dock siding and associated land, latterly used as a permanent way storage area, has been sold off to a local building company. A site hut has been erected but as yet no building work has commenced. The replacement permanent way store for the coming winter, is likely to be at Castletown.