Nationalisation of the railway took place on 1st December 1977 and in the first months of government control the volunteers of the Supporters' Association were still permitted to carry out voluntary works in and around the railway; this report from the beginning of 1978 details the works carried out using volunteer labour at the time and was penned by Alex Townsend . . .

FROM STEAM RAILWAY NEWS

ISSUE No. 48 - APRIL 1978

After a lapse of nearly four months, the Supporters' Association volunteer work party got under way again for the first time since the railway came under the control of the government.  The period of inactivity had been caused largely as a result of the uncertainty of exactly  what kind of work the volunteers would now be asked to perform.  At last a suggested work was forthcoming from the Chief Executive and subsequently a revised list was submitted to the Board for approval by the Works Officer.  And thus, after a few false starts, the volunteer workers heaved themselves out of temporary retirement to take up position down on Douglas station.

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The first job attempted has been that of preparing locomotive No. 9 Douglas for the preliminary perusal of the Boiler Inspector.  This necessitated considerable dismantling of the locomotive and already a fair amount of work has been done.  Under the close supervision of Mr. A.D. Lamberton A.I. Mech, E. the slow process of removing nuts, bolts and split-pins, untouched for twenty years or so began.  To date the following items have been removed from the engine, viz. smokebox door, all smokebox fittings, front sandboxes, handrails, various pipes and brackets from boiler sides, boiler casing, brass dome, and various cab fittings.  In addition the Salter safety valves have been disconnected and the firebox firebars have been removed.  The cab, which will be removed at a later date has been unbolted as have various plates and covers at the front of the loco.  One task which perhaps proved to be more difficult than expected was the removal of the engine's bunker load of coal.  Whether or not this was the same coal used when the engine last steamed, or just some slack put in at a later date for display purposes is not clear.  But time, and numerous shunting over loose rail joints, had effectively compacted the coal and dust into a solid mass.  The restricted amount of space in this small boilered loco cab became apparant during this operation.  Further work on No. 9 will involve the removal of the tanks, more boiler casing and ashpan, etc.  When accomodation in the already crowded workshops becomes available, No. 9 can be moved into the workshops to take advantage of the heavy lifting gear.  The preliminary inspection by the boiler inspector is vital to the success of the whole project, and only when approval is given can repairs commence.

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Another job undertaken by the volunteers earlier this year was the manning of a stall at the Leisure Exhibition, organised by the Douglas Rotary Club.  Many weeks of preperation went into the stall, which included a variety of railway photographs, posters, and a model depicting a length of the I.M.R.  This featured a most unlikely rake of stock including E.1, Empress Van F.27, an H wagon, two carriages and engine No. 11 Maitland in Ailsa livery.  Much interest was shown in this stall which resulted in numerous new members.

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The well in the Nunnery grounds adjacent to Douglas Station, and part of the railway property, has been the subject of a project undertaken by Mr. Harold Flavell.  He was asked by the Chief Executive to construct a new well cover, utilising old railway poster boards and some disused M.E.R. sleepers.  Mr. Flavell's ingenuity has doubtless saved the Railway Board considerable expense and we are very grateful to him for his work.  In connection with the Sales Officer, Mr. Flavell is also preparing drawings for the possible enlargement of the Douglas shop.  It is hoped that should this project be given the go-ahead, the reconstructed shop would prove even more profitable than last year and be an asset to the railway.

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So much for the past, but what of the future?  The list of future projects submitted to the Board for approval includes many items common to the work parties, e.g. the distribution of publicity leaflets, cleaning the trains, tidying stations, etc.  Other ideas proposed however, include the possible restoration of period advertising matter.  The creation of a "period" atmopshere by replacing old enamel advertising signs has been used to good effect on other preserved railways in Britain.  Old photographs of the I.M.R. often reveal a "Petter Oil Engines" or "Swan Vesta" sign pinned to some strategic point on the station.  Many of these signs have passed to the Railway Board and it is thought that re-instatement could further enhance the railway's appeal to the visitor.  Many old I.M.R.Co., noticeboards also remain advertising such things as "Circular Tour 3/6" and "Book Here - Peel & Ramsey Line Stations, 2nd Class".  It is hoped that the Board will allow the volunteers to renovate and display these signs, rather than let them languish unseen and rotting in disused sheds and yards.  One also hopes that the All-Island Transport Map, for so long a focal point of Douglas Booking Hall, can be retrieved from the museum and restored to its original position.

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The volunteers would also like to deal with Santon and Colby stations; more of an eyesore than a railway station, Colby has been all but demolished by local children and now resembles a wild west Ranger Station after being ravaged by indians.  Renovation would be a costly and pointless exercise bearing in mind the railway's financial situation.  Replacement with a more practical shelter and sign would perhaps be a more sensible proposition?  Santon, however, isolated from the effects of the island's school population, has withstood neglect well.  Although not a popular halt, the station could be made secure and presentable at a relatively small cost.  In future years, signposting and suitable leaflet maps which could be distributed at other stations, could make Santon a more popular stop amond walkers who would perhaps like to sample the delights of Port Grenaugh on foot, to return to Douglas by train.

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Anyone with ideas for further volunteer work projects or who would like to take part in the regular work parties organised by the Supporters' Association each Saturday, are directed to write to the Works Officer.