Origins

This station was originally the first official stop for trains on the line; it boasted a long winding platform on the "up" side. Situated beneath the main road to the west it was accessed via a set of steps leading to a wooden station building and platform areas. On the northerly side of the station runs the River Dhoo; the station had a passing loop installed upon opening and this was later lengthened.

 

Expansion

To cope with demand a longer passing loop was added and at one time a goods siding was a feature; despite many plans and discussions the station facilities were never expanded although there were plans to erect a building of similar status to that still extant at Port St. Mary at the turn of the twentieth century.  The station was a busy one for local traffic   By the post-war years traffic was in decline however and the station officially closed in November 1954 though trains continued to stop here until the final days of the line.

 

Features

The well-known figure of railwayman George Henry Hogg was the station master here for many years, and he won several prizes for the prettiest station garden in the Island.  The letters that made up the station name were picked out in white spar stones along the edge of what was the down line, and a Legs of Mann in the embankment at the exit to the station, both of which are still discernable today.  The single-pitched roof building was the only one of its kind on the whole network and dated from the earliest days of the railway.  The station provided run-round facilities for the popular Kirk Braddan open-air service trains that terminated at the Braddan Bridge halt.

 

After Closure

When the railway closed the station building was left in situ for a number of years before it was finally demolished in 1975.  At the same time all the tracks and sidings were also lifted but the platform left in place.  At the time of lifting some very early sleepers (of half-round construction) were found to still be in place under the siding and parts of the passing loop.

 

Today

In 1990 the railway's No. 1 breakdown crane was cosmetically restored by the now-defunct Isle Of Man Railway Society and placed on permanent display at the station, and a section of track installed for it to sit on and this is still in place today.  The up platform that clings to the valley in an "S" shape is also still in situ, as is the bridge carrying the main road (part of the T.T. course) and a footbridge to the west of the station was installed for walkers in 1993, opened by ex-station master Mr. Mylchreest.  A large planter also remains on the remaining platform as a reminder of grander times.