FROM MANX STEAM RAILWAY NEWS

ISSUE No. 143- WINTER / SPRING 2007

No. 4 Loch (1874) has had a boiler washout and work carried out on the brake axle since it last saw service during the Santa Trains in the first week of December. The vacuum ejector has been overhauled and new cones fitted, the locomotive has been mothballed for the winter in readiness for next season.

No. 8 Fenella (1894) the vacuum ejector has been overhauled and new cones fitted. The valves and pistons have been removed for examination, and the locomotive stripped for boiler inspection, which is due at the time of writing these notes; the valve rod has also been machined to prevent the spindle glands blowing, the valve rod having previously been scored.

No. 10 G.H. Wood (1905) as reported in the last issue, No.10 was expected to return to service before the end of the season, “hopefully” - this proved to be a little optimistic! After much further work the loco was still unavailable for Santa Train duties but early in the New Year she was steamed but failed with a hole in the J pipe (this being part of the regulator housed inside the dome). The steam test took place in early February after which the loco was stripped to be painted; happily the repaint will be into the spring green livery for the fortieth anniversary of the Ailsa Regime.

No. 11 Maitland (1905) having last steamed in October 2006, No. 11 has been stripped for major overhaul. The massive overhaul, which will include new boiler, pistons, valve chest cylinders and possibly horn guides, will ensure that she will not see service for the foreseeable future. It is worth noting that this will be the first time in many years that this stalwart has not been in service. As part of the work, she will be re-fitted with a smaller Beyer-style boiler, meaning modifications will have to be made to the existing cab, and the whistle will be mounted on a turret rather than directly on the boiler, as was the case with her Israel Newton boiler. The fitting of the 1981 boiler required much remedial work making considerable cosmetic changes, for instance the safety valves were repositioned further forward, these will now be returned to over the firebox.

No. 12 Hutchinson (1908) new piston rings have been fitted and a boiler washout completed; her period in service on the Santa Trains served as a running in and test for the new rings, and since this time she has also been mothballed and awaits her turn of duty in the summer season. She retains the Indian red livery.

No. 13 Kissack (1910) at the time of going to press No. 13 is due a boiler washout and this will take place prior to the start of the season; subject to her boiler inspection in March and some remedial work she is ready for traffic.

No. 15 Caledonia (1885) was stripped prior to the Santa Trains and was subsequently out of service awaiting the new paint; she is to be repainted back into Manx Northern Railway No. 4 livery, and in readiness for this the chimney numerals have been removed. The boiler inspection took place in early February and shortly thereafter she was moved to the paintshop to join No. 10 for repaint.

No. 17 Viking (1958) has had problems with her alternator but has continued to see use in connection with a relay between Santon and Port Soderick currently ongoing. As reported in the last issue, No. 18 Ailsa was suffering from minor fuel problems and has since had the fuel tank washed out which unfortunately did not solve the problem. This was eventually tracked down to a broken spring in the lift pump. This has been repaired and successful test runs (pushing Nos. 4 & 10 as far as Port Soderick) was completed on 31^st January 2007. She still awaits the fitting of sanding gear.

Unserviceable Locos

No. 1 Sutherland is store at Douglas; privately owned Nos. 5 Mona (1874) and 9 Douglas (1896) remains in store in Douglas carriage shed. The still incomplete ex-County Donegal railcars are also in the carriage shed. As has been pointed out (several times! Ed.) the frames of No. 7 Tynwald (1880) are of course not on the goods platform at Port St. Mary but are sat in Homefield Bus Garage! To complete the set No. 6 Peveril (1875) and 16 Mannin (1926) are extant in Port Erin railway museum with F. 75 and F. 36.

End Of The Season

The last day of the season was 5^th November and saw trains operating in the dark. This offered unique photographic opportunities, and not only did the locos carry headlamps, but certain signals were fitted with their lamps, creating an atmosphere.

Carriages

F.26 is currently in the paintshop having all the internal and external paintwork redone, lights re-fitted and the Formica paneling removed in favour of the traditional combed finish. She is now looking very smart and will be ready for service at Easter. F.39 is in the workshops at present, having its bearings replaced and new springs made, and the brake gear modified. Hopefully this will result in this once highest mileage coach serviceable again. The stock in service at Christmas consisted of the bar set (Fs. 29, 31, 35) with F.45 in service as disabled access coach. All other serviceable coaches are in store waiting the 2007 season.

Port Erin Station

Unfortunately, since the last issue the paint on the latticework on the station side gable of Port Erin building has once again flaked leaving this looking disappointingly untidy. It is to be hoped that something will be done about this eyesore, as the rest of the restored building is now let down by this.

Douglas Station

Just days before the Santa Trains, a section of roof from the ladies toilets was blown off by the high winds; this was only a galvanised sheet covering a plasterboard ceiling and after the roof was lost the rain penetrated this, resulting the ceiling collapsing in one section. The speedy taskforce soon acted upon this and all was in order for the Santa Trains. Elsewhere, the station in general still looks very neglected, the coat of paint that parts of it received last year doing little for the overall tatty and abandoned appearance.

Other Stations & Lineside

The track throughout Port Soderick station is in the process of being re-laid. Some bad joints in Crogga Woods have also received attention from the Jim-Crow. At Port Erin all the fishplates have been removed, greased and replaced. At Oakhill a considerable amount of clearance has been completed, see photos.

2007 Season Announced

The scheduled timetable has been announced and will run to the same pattern as last year, with simultaneous departures from either terminus at 10.15am, 12.15pm, 2.15pm and 4.15pm. Despite rumours to the contrary the trains are operating seven days a week, with no evening specials scheduled, nor supplementary services in the July-August peak season.