Year Built:                1994

Builders:                   Hunslet Engine Co., Leeds.

Works No.:               LD9342

Name:                        Ailsa

Nickname:               The Washing Machine

Wheel Arr.:               0-4-0

Weight:                     16t, 10cwt

Current Status:       Operational

 Built in 1994 and used by the contractors who re-laid the entire line in conjunction with the I.R.I.S. all-island sewage project, this locomotive was originally built to three foot gauge to be used on the construction line for the Channel Tunnel but never saw use on the project.  It was subsequently re-gauged to two foot and used in conjunction with the Jubilee Line extention of the London Underground, then gauged back for use on the island.

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Bought from the contractors upon completion of the work and named Ailsa in honour of the man who did so much to keep the railway alive in the late 1960s, it was stated at the time of purchase that the loco would receive a spring green livery (as it was standard livery at the time of the Marquis’ ownership and operation) but it remains in plain white livery to date, only receiving a fleet number on the rear cab plate only.  Its plain white livery had lead to its being nicknamed The Washing Machine by staff owing to its unattractive appearance.

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As it was purposely made for use in the limited clearences of the tunnel it has very ppor driver visibility and for that reason carried externally mounted mirrors and closed circuit cameras to improve the drivers' view. It rarely ventures out onto the line as it has a low top speed but does provide motive power for annual weedkilling trains and to propel the flail when clearing lineside hedges, two duties which do not require any speed.  Based at Douglas Station this unit can often be seen in the yard.  The accompanying view shows the locomotive at Santon Station on permanent way departmental duties in 2007.