Winter Maintenance 1969-1970

The winter programme of maintenance has continued with a large amount of work being carried out. During December, No.4 Loch was in the workshops receiving an overhaul, while F.18 was in the running shed receiving attention before repainting.  Also F.43 was receiving attention to its roof; repairs were continued on the running shed roof at Douglas.  On the track, sleepers were laid in the Ballasalla area, the rail heights were adjusted at the south side of Ballasalla.  Weeds were also removed at the White Hoe and the left hand was lifted. After Christmas No.4 Loch had been completed and No.11 Maitland was moved into the works for her overhaul; the repainting of F.36 been completed and was moved out, her place being taken by in the running shed F.45 which was receiving an overhaul, its is being turned and the brake system being attended to.

On 8th January, No.4 Loch along with a brake van, went to Castletown to collect the bog ore which was distributed along the trackside at various places.  On 20th January No.4 was in steam again and with F.27, M.77 and M.49, distributed bog ore again the Port Erin Line.  On the track, weeds were removed and a large number of sleepers laid at the Friary Bend.  The fences at The Crogga and also Ballabeg were repaired.  Repairs were also carried out on the roof at Port Erin.  In February, No.4 with an Empress Van and two “M” wagons out dropping ballast and sleepers at various places.  On 16th February, the diesels with an “M” wagon took farm gates to Ballaquaggan near the Blackboards.

In the workshops, No.11 Maitland had received an overhaul and was moved back into the running shed.  No.12 Hutchinson was then moved the works for her overhaul.  The repainting of F.18 was completed by the beginning of the month and was replaced by F.43.  On 12th February, F.47 was moved into the paint shop for repainting.

Association Volunteering : Spring 1970

During the last three months, members have continued work on carriage repainting.  After F.35 had been completed, her companion F.36 was moved into the paint shop.  Work commenced immediately and by 16th January it was completed, her place being taken by F.18 which had just received an overhaul.  This vehicle was the first of that type to be painted and during the beginning of February she was moved out.  A further brake F.43, was then started on which had been completed by the middle of that month.  A further large “F” was then moved into the paint shop and work; painting commenced on F.47 on 14th February.  The usual volunteers have turned up to do this task and they include - Max Crookall, Peter Craine, Robert Tunnicliffe, Jeff Kelly, George Bridson and myself. For a week in January we were joined by a member from the mainland.  Also one weekend, Roger Webster made a flying visit to the Island and gave a hand.  Now is the time of year to make an appeal for volunteers for the summer season.  Will members who are available for voluntary work, please write to Bob Howard giving dates you are available.  Come on . . . it’s up to you to come along and help for a week, a fortnight, or longer if you can.  Help from people who live on-island is particularly welcome and is needed now so the large amount of work we wish to do can be completed before the start of season.

Royal Saloon To Run In Service

It has already been stated in Steam Railway News that is of the Association have recently repainted F.36 which is commonly known as the “Queen’s Saloon”.  It is intended to use this vehicle on train services next season; previously it was only used for special occasions in the past and has never been in general service.  Along with F.35 which has also been repainted, passengers will be able to ride in the first-class portions for extra two shillings.  In the low season, F.36 will be used on the Port Erin to Douglas runs, while F.35 will run from Douglas to Port Erin.  However, in the height of the season, F.35 will be used on the 10.00am. Douglas to Port Erin train and F.36 will be on the 10.40am train also from Douglas to Port Erin. For special parties F.75 will be used in place of the other saloon.

Maintenance & Workshops

On 23rd February a further load of 250 sleepers on a Steam Packet lorry and were immediately put on a runner outside the works.  The diesels were in use on 25th February shunting around Douglas Station.  F.45 was moved out of the running shed where she was receiving an overhaul and was replaced by F.46.  Also F.30 was moved into the works for wheel turning and F.10 moved into the paintshop

On the permanent way the job of weeding, ballasting and sleeper relaying was continued and during the latter part of February; work was carried out at Ballabeg.  New guttering was put on canopy at the front of Douglas Station. No.4 Loch was in steam on 3rd, 4th and 5th March.  On 3rd, she did shunting around Douglas Station and moved No.5 Mona from the carriage shed to the running shed.  Also F.54 was moved from the carriage shed and put on Road Two awaiting removal into the steam shed.  On the second day in steam No.4 Loch along with Empress Van F.27, one runner loaded with sleepers and two “M” wagons, went to various places along the Port Erin Line, dropping off and collecting the old ones.  On 5th the engine and same train dropped ballast and bog ore between Ballasalla and Port Erin.  

Lord Ailsa made a visit to the Island for a couple of during March, so on 11th the diesel railcars departed from Douglas 8.10am for Ballasalla and met Lord Ailsa. The train then went through to Port Erin and arrived at 9.45am.  After an inspection of the station, the train departed back for Douglas and after numerous stops en route to talk to members of the permanent way, the train including Lord Ailsa and the Manager arrived back in Douglas at 12.

In the shed during March experiments with the firebox of No.5 took place and was steamed on 11th March.  The Isle of Man Highway & Transport Board (River Division) required a number of piles to be taken to the Silverburn River between Ballasalla and Castletown.  It was, therefore, decided to use a train, so on 17th  March the diesels with three runners went to Pulrose Bridge and collected the piles.  On the following lay, No.5 Mona took the three runners, one “M” wagon and F.27 to the Silverburn River and returned light engine.  On 19th No.5 Mona again went to the Silverburn River and collected the runners, “M” wagon F.27, which had been emptied.  On return the engine shunted F.30 back to the carriage shed, and F.47 and F.10, which had been repainted were moved out of the paintshop, places taken by F.11.

On the permanent way in March, two lengths of rail were replaced at Port Soderick Station, the Douglas end. The spreading of bog ore continued between Colby and Ballabeg and Ballasalla and Ballahick.  A further load of 250 sleepers arrived on 26th March and were placed on a runner and left on Road Two.  No.4 Loch was in steam again on 7th April and with F.25 (carrying a couple of passengers) and four “M” wagons, went to Port Erin, dropping sleepers.  On the return trip the old sleepers had been replaced were loaded on to the wagons and brought back to Douglas.

The old sleepers will be used for the lighting up of locomotives during the season.  On 10th April, No.4 Loch did some shunting around Douglas yard with the help of the diesels and moved F.46 back into the carriage shed; F.54 moved into the steam shed for overhaul, and F.75 into the paintshop.  A number of rails were replaced during the beginning of April.  At Oakhill cutting, two rails were replaced and a further one at Port Soderick summit. The sleeper relaying was continued and after the section between Ballahick to Ballawoods was done the permanent way staff started working between Ballawoods and Blackboards.

The Inspector of Railways (Isle of Man) arrived on Island and on 21st April the diesels, with the Inspector and Manager on board, went through to Port Erin.  On the return leaving Port Erin at 2.15pm, the diesels stopped at various for the Inspector to examine the track and talk to the permanent way staff.  On the following day, the diesels, with the Inspector again on board, left Douglas at 8.44am and ran straight through to Colby and back, testing the track at speed.  The result of the inspection was a very satisfactory report and all thanks go to Bert Crellin and his staff on the permanent way.

During the last weeks of April and the beginning of May the fencing at St. John’s on the Peel Line and Waterfall on the Foxdale Line, were repaired in accordance with the statutory requirement.  The curve between Castletown Station and Mill Road was, re-sleepered, weeded and bog ore spread.  On 27th April, the diesels, with a hedge cutter on the well wagon, left Douglas to start cutting the hedges between Douglas and Port Erin.  After some trouble with the hedge cutter the diesels arrived at Port Erin with one side of the hedges complete on 5th May.

No.12 Hutchinson  was steamed on 6th May and shunted in Douglas. The carriages which will be required for the season, were sorted out and shunted on to different roads.  All the carriages for the special train at the end of the week were formed.  F.75 was moved out of the paintshop and replaced by F.54 which had received an overhaul. The diesels with the hedge cutter, finished the job hedge cutting on the Port Erin line and arrived in Douglas on 13th May.  On the following day the diesels went back on the line and collected the cuttings.  On 15th May, the diesels left Douglas 8.50am bound for St. John’s. The check rails en route and the points at St. John’s were cleaned and oiled, the diesels arriving back at Douglas at I1.50am.

On the same day, No.10 G.H.Wood, which had spent the winter at Port Erin shed, was steamed and ran light to Castletown.  Here No.10 collected two “M” wagons and ran to Mill Road and collected bog ore.  After leaving one wagon at Castletown the engine and the remaining wagon then continued to Douglas, arriving at 3.00pm.  No.10 was steam again on 18th May and took a number of carriages to St. John’s.  After shunting and collecting others, the train left St. John’s at 2.45pm.  In the same afternoon No.10 with F.33, F.36, F.47, F.43, F.11, F.46, M.57, M.63 and M.73 left for Port Erin at 4.15pm, with the Editor acting as Guard.  The train arrived at Castletown at 5.00pm and left two of the “M” wagons in the siding.  The engine and the remaining part of the train arrived at art Erin at 5.40pm. 

Voluntary Spring Work

The usual volunteers have turned up in the last few months helping to repaint the carriages.  Members have repainted the following:- F.10, F.11 and F.75, which will be used for special parties this season.  At the moment F.54 is in the paintshop and has started on her repainting.  The recent weeks have brought a number of fine sunny and therefore it was decided to repaint a number of level crossing gates which were looking very weather-beaten. Volunteers have completed Ballawoods, Ballahick and The Level gates and they give a good impression to holiday-makers who pass by.

During 4th-9th May, a number of members turned up can up Douglas and Port Erin Stations.  The windows were washed inside and out, and the paintwork in the Booking Offices cleaned out.  Also the carriages which are to be used during the n were cleaned out.  All this work - by members - was done in own free time in the evenings.  The next job was the distribution of timetables and leaflets around the hotels, boarding houses and other places on the promenade.  Help came from some Manx members and other members on holiday in the Island, to whom we are very grateful.

On the School Special trains mentioned earlier in this Anthony Beard acted as guard from Port Erin to Castletown e a day from 19th to 23rd May; volunteers are always welcome at Douglas Station as there is always some work for them to do.  Members who wish to work as volunteers are now asked to write to the following address:- The Volunteer Works Officer, c/o the Railway Station, Douglas, Isle of Man.

Events Of The Season

The season got under way with engine No.10 G.H.Wood being shedded at Port Erin and working the 10.15am and 2.15pm ex-Port Erin trains.  No.11 Maitland worked the trains from the Douglas end with trains crossing at Ballasalla.  The following rolling stock was in use at the beginning of ho season:- based at Port Erin F.43, F.47, F.36, F.46 and with F.66 and F.71 as spares.  Also F.33 was put against the buffers in the bay platform to provide a brake for the unbraked carriages stabled there and to provide a mess-room for the Port Erin crew.  Later, F.47 was placed by F.25.  Based at Douglas were F.49, F.45, F.35 and F.18. On 9th June (the Tuesday of T.T. Week), the 10.15am, train to Port Erin left Douglas with seven full carriages carrying 306 passengers.  An extra train was run from Douglas at 10.50am with No.12 Hutchinson and four carriages carrying 116 passengers.  The 11.30am train to Port Erin consisted of five carrying 155 passengers.  In the afternoon it was decided to form the train up with the usual 4.15pm train to Douglas.  The train, fore, arrived back in Douglas with eleven carriages - F.49, F.45, F.46, F.73, F.30, F.57, F.74, F.10, F.11 and F.18, with No.11 Maitland and No.12 Hutchinson.

On 15th June, No.11 Maitland went on shed for a boiler wash and No.12 took her place on the Douglas to Port Erin trains.  The same day, No.12 had difficulty in raising steam and left half an hour late.  Santon was unlocked so that the first morning trains could cross in place of Ballasalla.  The following day No.10 went on shed at Douglas for her boiler washout, and No.12 took her place until 19th June.  No.11 banked the 10.15am ex-Port Erin from Ballasalla Ballawoods and also No.10 banked the 4.15pm ex-Port Erin to Ballawoods on 23rd June owing to continuous rain the whole day.  At the end of June, F.43 went into the running shed for a short time for attention to the brakes.

On 1st July, 100 tons of steam coal arrived from South Wales and two days later a load of 250 sleepers arrived on a Steam Packet lorry.  On 2nd July the 2.15pm trains from Port Erin and Douglas crossed at Castletown where a party of twenty Americans who were visiting the Isle of Man, joined the Douglas train.  As mentioned elsewhere in this issue, a special train was run on 6th July and, therefore, the crossing of trains had to be altered.  The 10.15am ex-Port Erin crossed the special at Port Soderick and the 11.35am ex-Port Erin crossed the special at Castletown.  In the afternoon the 4.10pm ex-Douglas crossed the special at Santon.

On 7th July, an extra carriage was attached to the 4.15pm train to Douglas from the 4.10pm train to Port Erin at Ballasalla was banked as far as Ballawoods.  No.11 Maitland went on shed on 9th July for a boiler washout and attention.  No.4 Loch took her place and in the lunch break the engine and a runner took a rail to Port Soderick, which was to be used in The Crogga.  In the second week in July, F.49 was taken out of service for attention to the brakes and was replaced by F.44. However, on 5th F.49 was back in service again.  On 13th July, No.11 was back in service, but No.10 G.H. Wood came on shed, also for a boiler washout, being replaced by No.4 Loch.  

The British Rail Queen, Miss Marilyn Pope, visited the Island on 16th July, and travelled on the 2.15pm train to Port Erin; the train made a special stop at the gate near the start of Southern “100” Road Races on the Castletown by-pass road, for the B.R. Queen to open the Races.  The train, without the B.R. Queen, continued on to Port Erin.  On the return journey, the train stopped close to the same spot so that she could be taken back to Douglas. On the following day No.10 was back in service, and No.4 went on shed. F.54 was moved out of the paint shop after repaint, replaced by F.27.

On Monday, 20th July, the full summer timetable came into motion. No.11 Maitland with F.44, F.47, F.36, F.74 and F.54, formed the 10.00am departure to Port Erin and No.4 Loch with F.49, F.45, F.35, F.11 and F.18 made the second train to Port Erin at 10.40am.  On 28th July, No.12 Hutchinson was steamed and at lunchtime this engine and a runner took some rails to the Crogga Valley.  On return No.12 banked the 2.15pm train to Port Erin as far as Ballawoods.  The engine then banked the 3.30pm ex-Port Erin as far as Ballawoods and later banked the 4.10pm through to Douglas.  Two days later the engine again banked the afternoon trains.  During the morning of 1st August, G.19 was loaded up with camping equipment for a party of campers at Castletown.  The goods van was attached to the 2.15pm train to Port Erin and was detached at the siding at Castletown.  Again, on 3rd, 4th and 5th August, No.12 banked the afternoon trains from Douglas to Ballasalla, and returned to Douglas at the rear of the 4.10pm from Port Erin each day.

On 7th August, No.4 remained on shed and No.12 took her place on the 10.40am to Port Erin.  Due to a lack of steam the 10.40am left Douglas late and therefore Colby was opened up so the 10.40am could cross the 11.35am ex-Port Erin.  On 12th August, No.11 went on shed for a boiler washout and replaced by No.12.  However, on the following day, No.11 back in service, but No.10 went on shed, No.12 taking over at Port Erin. The 2.15pm ex-Port Erin on 19th August came to between Castletown and Ballasalla because of a heavy load a rail. The train returned to Castletown, where it crossed the ex-Douglas train.

The train then continued on to Ballasalla bank engine off the down train as far as Ballawoods. As the down was now late, Colby was opened up for the 3.30pm ex-Port Erin cross with the 2.15pm.  G.19 which had been left at Castletown, was loaded up camping equipment for the return journey to Douglas and was attached to the 2.15pm ex-Port Erin.  The van was left on Road 3 for loading.  On 25th August, a further load of 100 tons of coal arrived from the boat.  On 1st September, the engine off the 4.10pm from banked the 4.15pm from Port Erin which had a load of eight carriages from Ballasalla to Ballawoods; work has started on the re-boilering of No.13 Kissack and it is hoped that the engine will be ready for the 1971 season.

The diesel set on 9th September went to St. John’s clearing the way for a steam train which is to be run after the this season.  The diesel and the permanent way gang checked cleaned all check rails along the route and oiled the points at St. John’s.  The International Music Festival was held at Castletown in the last week of the season and on 10th September a number of people taking part had a ride on the railway.  The 2.15pm ex-Port Erin was made up to seven carraiges as 83 joined the train at Port Erin and 117 at Castletown.  The train was banked by the 2.15pm ex-Douglas from Ballasalla to Ballaquaggin.  And so the 1970 season came to an end on 12th September after a very successful season. It is understood that passenger figures are up but at the time of going to press there is no actual figures available.

Special Trains

A special train was run on 25th June for a party of school children from Victoria Road School, Castletown.  The carriages for the special were attached to the rear of the 11.30am to Port Erin, being detached at Castletown.  The special consisted of No.12 Hutchinson and F.30, F.57, F.11 and F.25 and left Castletown at 1.15pm arriving in Douglas at 1.50pm.  The train departed from Douglas with the party on board at 2.55pm and ran back from Castletown to Douglas at 3.50pm carrying ordinary passengers.  A further special consisting of the diesel set, conveyed the Ramsey & Peel Round Table members to Port Erin on 6th July.  The train made stops at Port Soderick and Santon Stations on the journey to Port Erin for Treasure Hunts.  On the return, Treasure Hunts took place at Castletown and Ballasalla, where also the party visited Rushen Abbey. On 14th July, a special train consisting of the diesel set, left Douglas at 8.00pm conveying the Douglas Ladies Circle party to Ballasalla.

The train returned from Ballasalla at 11.10pm arriving in Douglas at 11.43pm.  Thursday 27th August, was Carnival Night in Douglas and a special train from Port Erin was run for this occasion.  The train left at 5.45pm with No.10 G.H.Wood and eight carriages.  At Castletown, No.4 Loch which had steamed light engine up to Castletown, was attached and banked the train through to Douglas.  After the carnival the special train left Douglas at 9.30pm with eight carriages and the two engines.  At Ballasalla, No.4 came off together with one carriage, and returned to Douglas. (A number of people requested a journey as far as Ballasalla and the extra was therefore attached at Douglas for this purpose).  The remainder of the train continued on to Port Erin, arriving at 10.39pm.  The night train going through the countryside with the carriages lit was indeed an excellent sight.

A special train was run for a party of children from Victoria Road School, Castletown and as the Special Notice is of interest and is reproduced here by kind permission of the Manager.

I.o.M.V.S.R. Co., Ltd.

SPECIAL NOTICE

THURSDAY 25th JUNE 1970

A Special Train will leave Castletown at 1.10pm for Douglas returning at 2.55pm to Castletown; conveys Victoria Road School, Castletown, Party only - approximately 150 passengers.  To return stock of the Special to Douglas, an additional train leaves Castletown at 3.50pm conveying ordinary passengers. Outward working of stock, refer to Altered Working).

Special         Extra                                 Special

Castletown    1.10  3.50              Douglas         2.55

Ballasalla        1.16  3.56              Pt. Soderick (a)  3.5

Ballahick        1.17  3.57              Pt. Soderick (d)  3.7

Ballawoods    1.19  3.59              Santon          3.15

Ballastrang     1.22  4.2                Ballalonna      3.17

Ballalonna      1.23  4.3                Ballastrang     3.18

Santon          1.25  4.5                Ballawoods    3.21

Soderick (a)      4.13                   Ballahick            3.23

Soderick (d)  1.33  4.22              Ballasalla     3.24

Douglas         1.45  4.34              Castletown    3.30

Altered Working for the 1.10pm special ex-Castletown to be attached 11.34am Douglas and detached at Castletown (shunting as arranged by the station master).  11.38am Port Erin to be shunted from No.5 to No.6 line on tall at Douglas, and 2.18pm Douglas to start from No.6 line.

 The Scene At Douglas 

The scene at Douglas Station is very similar to that of last year, but for members who have not perhaps visited the railway this season here is a short account.  With the disuse of platforms three and four, the platforms were mid for the parking of cars for passengers on the railway; on Road One are a number of runners on which were Steam Packet containers which came and went quite frequently.  Road Two contained F.40, and the frames off the oil tanks, together with F.17.  Roads Five & Six were used for the arrival and departure of Port Erin trains while on Roads Six & Seven contained the spare rolling stock.  The goods yard was turned into an exhibition and was looked after by Albert Kelly who was the stationmaster at Ballasalla in the old Company days.  The following items were on display:-

ROAD No.9

Brake Van E.4

Small Well Wagon

Fish Wagon

“M” Wagon

Two “G” Van

Mobile Crane

R.3 (Large Well)

F.28 (Empress Van)

ROAD No.10

No. 3 Pender 

No.6 Peveril

No.14 Thornhill

No.16 Mannin

No.9 Douglas

No.8 Fenella

No.1 Sutherland  

No.15 Caledonia

ROAD No.11

Nine “M” Wagons, some filled with ballast

Volunteer Workings Overview

A number of Members have turned up at the station asking for work and have all done a successful job.  The last carriage to be repainted for this season was F.54 and was completed in time for the run summer timetable.  At the beginning of the season one of the jobs to be tackled van the cleaning of the engines on display and a number of members gave a hand. David Caldwell and Peter King from Newcastle, painted Mill Road and Four Roads gates, and also the gates near the start of the Southern “100” Races at Castletown.  During the season, our Sales Officer has been kept busy in the Station Shop and out-stations along the line.

The Editor has done odd Guard duties on special trains when required and manned gate crossings at various times.  In August, a Mr. & Mrs. Glenn from Birmingham came down to the station one Sunday and cleaned all the carriages - a great help to the Station staff.  Martin and David Cobley and Paul Hunt painted Port Erin Station in July and the station now looks excellent and gives an excellent impression to passengers.  Our poet, John Glasscock, was on the Island during August and did a worthwhile task in cleaning up Colby Station, clearing the weeds and generally tidying the station.  

On the Carnival return train to Port Erin a number of members helped the railway staff in the manning of crossing gates and stations, which the Railway Management is indeed grateful.  During the last two weeks of the season Peter Robinson a working holiday on the Railway helping to look after Ballasalla and Port St. Mary stations. The Committee and the Railway Management would like t all those who did voluntary work this summer and look forward., seeing you all and others next season. It is intended to continue the work started last winter the re-painting of carriages.

End Of Season Events

On 14th September a special train left Douglas at 10.55am for Port Erin, consisting of No.4 Loch and two carriages carrying a number of passengers. The train called at all stations, collecting ticket racks, putting away the seats and generally locking up. The train left Port Erin after lunch and arrived in Douglas at 4.30pm with six carriages and two “M” wagons.  The extra stock was the ones used for the Port Erin to Douglas services. The following day saw No.4 again in steam, this time slim around Douglas.  The carriages were all sorted out and shunted into the carriage shed.  Also F.48 which was receiving new seats, was placed in the running shed.

As usual at the end of a season, a train went out to St. John’s to return some of the rolling stock and collect others which were in need of a repaint.  So on 16th September No.4 with F.17, F.24, F.21, F.20, F.13, F.34 and R.4 for collecting rails, went out to St. John’s.  The train returned to Douglas with F.23, F.50, F.62, F.63, F.64, F.67, F.70 and R.4, and after shunting in Douglas were left of Road Two.

On the evening of the same day a Special Train was run to Castletown and return for the employees of Mylchreests Motors.  No.4 with F.18, F.35, F.47 and F.49 left Douglas at 7.30pm on a wet night, arriving at Ballasalla at 8.00pm for a short stop for passengers to visit the Whitestone Hotel.  The train eventually arrived at Castletown at about 8.45pm.  The return train left Castletown at 11.10pm and ran non-stop to Douglas arriving at 11.50pm. The Diesels on 17th September were out shunting in Douglas and the rolling stock, which was used the night before, was shunted into the carriage shed.

Winter Events

The railway staff went on their annual fortnights’ holiday at the end of the season’s workings and returned on the 5th October to begin the winter maintenance programme.   The Diesels on 14th October left for Peel to clear check rails etc., in readiness for a Works Train at the end of that week.  After completion of work, the Diesels returned to Douglas.  On the following day No.4 was steamed and did shunting in and around Douglas. F.27, which had been repainted in carriage colours was taken out of the Paint Shop together with F.48 out of the running shed.  A further carriage, F.67, was put into the Paint Shop for repainting.  16th October saw No.4, with ten “M” wagons, F.65 and F.27, bound for Peel to collect bog ore from Peel Gas Works.  The train called at St. John’s on the outward journey to shunt F.65 to the carriage shed.  Upon arrival at Peel the wagons were left and the engine and F.27 returned to Douglas, arriving at 1.30pm.  

On the permanent way during the first two weeks of October, the ditches at Santon and Ballabeg were cleaned out.  The level crossing gates at Ellen Bane and Lezayre were repaired, so also were the fences at Sulby Glen on the Ramsey line.  Weeding of the track commenced on the section between Ballabeg and Mill Road ready for new sleepers.  At Douglas, the signals and water columns were re-painted.  On 20th October the diesels left Douglas at 10.00am bound or Port Erin, arriving at 10.50am, having been hired by a party from Liverpool University.  After coffee at the Allendale Café, the train left at 11.30am arriving in Douglas at 12.30pm.

On the afternoon of the same day, No.4, with F.27, was bound for Peel to collect the “M” wagons which had now been loaded with bog ore.  The train arrived back in Douglas at about 3.45pm and after shunting, the wagons were left on Road 3.  During the last two weeks of October, work was concentrated on the scraping and repainting of the underneath of Nunnery Bridge.  The fencing was also repaired through the Nunnery Estate.  In Douglas, M.69 was receiving attention by one of the fitters, in the replacing of the decking and sides with new planks of wood.  On 30th October the diesels were out shunting, and F.70 were put into the Paint Shop alongside F.67 which had been completed.  On 4th November, the first load of sleepers for the winter arrived on a Steam Packet lorry. A further three loads of sleepers are expected during the course of the winter.

The Diesels shunted in Douglas on 13th November and shunted F.15 into the fitting shop in readiness for repainting. No.4 Loch was in steam on 17th November forming up a permanent way train for the following day.  The train consisted of No.4 and four “M” wagons, R.4 and F.27 leaving Douglas on 18th bound for Port Erin.  The “M” wagons, which were loaded with bog ore, were left at Castletown and the train continued on to Port Erin dropping sleepers en route.

On the permanent way, the weeding of the track continued between Ballabeg and Mill Road, stopped earlier because of the work on the Nunnery Bridge.  Also sleepers were re-laid and weeding was done between Port Erin and Port St. Mary.

Some Early Editions Of Manx Steam Railway

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