FROM MANX STEAM RAILWAY NEWS

ISSUE No. 108 - SPRING 1994

Much has happened since the last edition of this journal and the Supporters’ Association has had quite an active involvement. If has now been confirmed that No. 15 Caledonia will run on Snaefell between the Bungalow and Summit; the extra rail necessary for the three foot gauge is currently being positioned on the mountain side in preparation for laying by the permanent way gang.

The cost of No. 15’s boiler repairs has spiralled considerably from the original estimate and so in order to keep the restoration on a fast track the Supporters’ Association has assisted. New fabricated water tanks are nearing completion at the Steam Packet’s Fort Street workshops, funded entirely by this association at a cost of some £5,452.00. These welded tanks will be indistinguishable from the originals, even down to the rivet heads. With the cosmetic restoration of No. 6 Peveril now also reaching completion, the association can once again truly call itself a supporting organisation. It is probably at this point that we should place on record our thanks to all those who have assisted in No. 6’s cosmetic restoration, especially the Douglas Workshop staff.

Involvement on the steam railway has not been at the expense of our own line at Groudle Glen where things have been as hectic as ever. Enough 30lb rail has now been purchased to relay the line from the Sea Lion Rocks extension back to Lime Kiln Halt. A passing loop will be incorporated into this relay which will probably commence this winter.

As you will have no doubt notices the journal once again has a colour cover. The current intention is to print both the spring and summer editions with colour covers in order to provide both a better product to our members and a magazine that will induce better sales to the general public. Once again submissions of suitable photographs from our readers would be most welcome.

Association member and author (The Isle Of Man By Tram, Train & Foot) Stan Basnett suffered a severe fall whilst out walking on 10^th April and had to be taken to intensive care at Noble’s Hospital in Douglas. I am sure everyone will join me in wishing him a speedy recovery.

Sadly, we end this editorial with the news of Lord Ailsa’s death in early April at the age of 68. most of our readers will no doubt known that it was Lord Ailsa who rescued the railway from oblivion in 1967; the fact that the railway exists today is a lasting memorial to the likes of Lord Ailsa. As a memory to those “Ailsa Years” it would be perhaps nice to see an apple green engine running through the Manx countryside once more?

Dave Booth