|
Station Name:
|
Castletown
|
|
Manx Name:
|
Balley Chashtal
|
|
Opened:
|
1st August 1874
|
|
Closed:
|
September 1965 (Seasonally Since)
|
|
Distance From Douglas:
|
9 Miles, 60 Chains
|
|
Preceding Station:
|
Ronaldsway Halt |
|
Following Station:
|
Ballabeg
|
This station can be found on the north-eastern edge of the town, beside Poulsom Park; until just ten years prior to the railway’s arrival, Castletown was the island’s capital. The original building was of wood an corrugated iron construction, as were all intermediate stations on the line, but this was superseded in 1902 when the current building was erected, from local limestone, making it the only structure on the railway of this type. There is also a large stone goods shed and platform, sidings and water tower. The original water tower was demolished in the winter of 1984 and the stones used to create the nearby flower beds - the structure in place today is a recent addition.
|
The station houses a booking hall, ticket office, waiting room and toilets and was extensively renovated in the winter of 1993/1994; most notably at this time the station canopy (which was not original) was removed and the long-since closed waiting room was re-opened and the canopy removed, putting the building back to it's original state. The building was complemented with the addition of decorative fascia boarding at this time, and the flat-roofed toilet block to the left of the waiting room was extensively rebuilt in keeping with historical context. The goods shed also received some attention at this time.
|
As part of the location filming for the transatlantic production of the Thomas & The Magic Railroad movie scenes were filmed at the station, forming the basis of "Shining Time Station" in the story and the building and its environs were considerably disguised for this purpose. It was also used for the filming of the 2005 version of Five Children & It when a temporary canopy was built in the place where the original had once stood. Some exterior scenes for the television version of The Ginger Tree also used the station and canopy in 1988.
|
After the relay of the line in conjunction with the all-island I.R.I.S. sewerage network, in 2002 the station was also fitted with half-height platforms for the first time in its history; although the loop has been relayed, timetabled services no longer passed at this station however, but a change in scheduling for 2012 means that the lunchtime services now cross here in peak season. In recent times with the introduction of varied special services, the station has been favoured as a destination for services such as the Valentine's Love Train, Hop-Tu-Naa Ghost Train and the popular Rolling Lunch excursion.
With its close proximity to several tourist attractions, most notably Castle Rushen which dominates the town, the Nautical Museum and most recently the restored Old House Of Keys (former seat of the local parliament) Castletown remains a busiest intermediate station on the line and in 2010 the Friends Of Castletown Station, a volunteer group affiliated to the Supporters' Association was established to enhance the station. This has included the re-opening of the chimney for the coal fire to be lit for the first time in many years, establishment of flower beds, and restoration and smaller items such as platform benches.
|
|
South Line (1874) 
.