No.10 G.H. Wood
Fleet No.:
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Last Operated
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No.10
G.H. Wood
19 Tons, 10cwt
1905
2-4-0T
Beyer, Peacock
B.P.4662
September 2017
1,013,997 (@1964)
Co. Director
11” x 18”
3’ 9”
No.10 G.H.Wood was the first of two purchases in 1905, the other being No.11 Maitland; these were the first of the medium boiler locomotives and were both named after Railway Company officials, No. 10 after the company secretary and director George Henry Wood, who arranged for posed for photographs in front his namesake.
As the first of the larger class of locomotives on the line, it was a regular performer and rarely out of service apart from to receive maintenance and its two new boilers, in 1926 and 1946, both supplied new from Beyer, Peacock & Co. The locomotive remained in regular use throughout the Ailsa Years when it was painted into the Spring Green livery, but was withdrawn in 1977 with defective boiler, latterly being only on light duties.
It was last used to draw No.9 Douglas from the carriage shed at Douglas Station in 1977 to launch the appeal by the Association for the latter's proposed return to service which never came to fruition. It had been hoped to repair the boiler and it was stripped to commence this work, but ultimately the boiler was fond to be beyond economic repair and the frames remained in store, the tanks being scrapped.
In 1992 it had been planned to overhaul the recently withdrawn No.13 Kissack but the decision was taken to recondition the boiler and overhaul No.10 instead; to this end the locomotive was launched as part of the 1993 Year Of Railways in the Brunswick Green livery with black lining edged in vermilion. This was quite dark to the eye and a repaint in 1997 saw the lining changed to "straw" (yellow) with a pleasing effect.
Reverting to the post-war Indian Red scheme in 2000 when the entire fleet was similarly treated, Spring Green was re-applied in 2007 to mark the fortieth anniversary of Lord Ailsa’s regime. Together with No.12 Hutchinson they are the only service locos to not carry chimney numerals. It featured in the movie Five Children & It.
The boiler certificate expired in August 2017, making an appropriate final appearance for the 50th anniversary celebrations. April 2018 saw commencement of a major overhaul with the boiler at the Severan Valley Railwayand the frames to Alan Keef Ltd., in October 2020. The locomotive is expected to return to the railway in late 2023.
June 1994 one year after recommissioning and captured at Keristal Summit heading towards Douglas, this illustrates the difficulty in photographing this particular colour scheme.
July 1964 and No.10 arrives at Ballasalla Station having just crossed the main Douglas to Castletown Road with its mechanically controlled gates, then recently installed.
No.10 G.H. Wood working on a school train in December 2012 using the temporary platform at School Hill Halt created for trains to serve during a bus drivers' strike.
The newly-commissioned No.10 in June 1993 at Douglas Station in the darker green livery with black and vermilion lining and plain welded tanks typical of the era.
July 1963 and No.10 may have clean brasswork typical of her crew at this time, but the Indian Red paintwork had darkened; captured at Peel Station just prior to departure.
August 2009 in the spring green livery with a southbound service paused at Castletown Station, the first carriage being one of the 1905 saloons, maroon running in board also typical of the time.
August 1962 at Douglas Station with a large canvas cab dodger draped over the handrail; also seen is the railway's Priestman mechanical coal grab which was a feature in the yard for many years.
On banking duty in the summer of 1969 passing the workshops complex at Douglas Station, a fine study showing the classic lines of the railway's iconic Beyer, Peacock locomotives.
At Castletown Station with a Manx National Week train complete with Legs Of Mann sheild in July 2009 in the spring green livery looking very bright on a sunny summer's day.
Port Erin Station in the spring of 1965 ready to depart with Athol Park in the background; a typical scene that can still be viewed today. Note the dent between the spectacle plates.
April 1997 and a fter a winter repaint retaining the darker green livery but with straw lining, this made a marked improvement to the photogenic quality of No.10; on Pumphouse Curve.
Outside the workshops at Douglas Station shortly after recommissioning in 1993 showing how dark the colour scheme appeared with the vermilion lining detail.