FROM MANX STEAM RAILWAY NEWS

ISSUE No. 108 - SPRING 1994

LOCOMOTIVES

No. 11 Maitland’s re-wheeleing and suspension overhaul was completed by the beginning of March.  At around the same time disel locomotive No. 17 Viking suffered a major power unit failure whilst on works train duty.  Upon investigation it was found that a piston had disintergrated causing severe damaged to one of the cylinders.  Repair of the Deutz engine was beyond the means of the railway’s workshops, so the power unit was therefore sent to Deutz agents “Asea Brown Bovri” at Derby.  Since the engine’s arrival at Derby however doubts have arisen as to whether its’ repair is economically viable.  Thus No. 17 may end up with a different power unit all together.  Whatever engine is returned to the island, the opportunity will then be taken to fit vacuum brake equipment to the locomotive.

Due to No. 17 being inoperative No. 4 Loch was used on works trains until work on No. 11 Maitland was finished.  She then entered the workshops for fitting of a new smokebox wrapper before the start of the season.  The locomotive is due to re-enter the workshops at the beginning of May for an extensive motion overhaul and wheel re-profiling.  With No. 17 being out of action the railcars Nos. 19 and 20 are once again being used as yard shunters in Douglas.

No. 10 G.H. Wood entered the workshops on completion of the work to No. 11 for her annual boiler inspection with was passed without problem.  With Nos. 4 and 10 ready for traffic they took up their duties as service engines at Port Erin and Douglas respectively on 1^st April, with No. 11 acting as standby.  No. 12 Hutchinson replaced Nos. 4 and 10 in the workshops.  The boiler is received a complete re-tube and the locomotive will replace No. 4 as Port Erin service loco once this is complete.  No. 8 Fenella was moved from the carriage shed to the steam running shed in March.  Various boiler components have been sent to Bridgenorth ready for the boiler’s steam test, which is due to occur in April.  No. 15 Caledonia’s boiler is due back in May; new tanks, funded entirely by the Supporters’ Association are currently under construction in the Steam Packet’s workshops.  At the time of writing (the end of April) they are nearing completion.

F.49 returned to traffic in time for the start of the season; F.48 is currently being re-painted, but work on it and F.54 has stopped as the workshop joinery and paint shop staff and involved in the refurbishment of Castletown Station; work on F.26 proceeds slowly.

The relay between Douglas Station and the Nunnery Bridge was completed, including packing and aligning by March.  Unfortunately the spoil dumped in this area the previous years (see winter edition) was not deemed suitable for the Douglas Harbour in-fill scheme so only a small amount has been removed.  With the decision that No. 15 will definitely run up the mountain in 1995 (baring unforeseen circumstances) the need for rail to provide the three foot gauge track has meant that the line between Port Erin and Port St. Mary will be replaced with “new” 75lb per yard rail.  This has been laid on the existing sleepers with the old 60lb rail being transferred to Snaefell.

The refurbishment of Castletown Station was not completed in time for the start of the season, the station master has therefore been temporarily situated in a mobile hut.  By the last week in April the station had been re-roofed and a start had been made on the fitting of new barge boards.  The siding at Castletown has had to be shortened in order to provide more car parking space.  With staff being otherwise employed at Castletown Station and the Port Erin to Port St. Mary relay, work on the Port Erin engine shed has been halted.  It is likely that the “old” shed will now revert to its former role in time for the start of next season.  The present engine shed and museum will both hopefully benefit from major refurbishment this winter.

Following recommendations by the Railway Inspector after last years’ accident at White Hoe, automatic lights are to be installed at the crossing.  Part of this work had been done by the start of the season.  Whistle boards, another of the inspectors’ recommendations are also to be erected along the line.  New lights will also be provided at Ballasalla Station level crossing.  The season started quieter than last year (for obvious reasons) with passenger during April being mainly locals.  A private photographic charter train was hired during Easter Week.

Peter Hodgett