The railway had another busy period at the beginning of June when the island once again played host to the T.T. Races; there were some alterations to the advertised timetabling, notably on 10th and 11th when timetable “R” was in force as opposed to the advertised “S” schedule.  This was due to the failure of M.N.Ry. No.4 Caledonia in practice week with a faulty injector which also necessitated timetable “R” being put in place that week.

Commuter trains operated for the first four days of race week (5th-8th) and these were all hauled by No.4 Loch, with No.11 Maitland being south-based throughout the period.  Each morning an empty stock working made its way south to make up the 7.45am departure from Port Erin Station; this year compartment stock was used, again with bus fares being applicable, in a change from the initially advertised breakfast train at £18.00 each way.

In the workshops progress is still being made on the overhaul of No.13 Kissack and restored carriage F.10 has been moved into the paint shops for attention.  A number of cruise ship groups have also travelled, with some being collected by bus at Castletown Station for onward travel.  Saturday evening saw a well-subscribed T.T. Bikers’ Pie & Mash train to Port Erin and return with No.4 Loch in charge.

The next major event on the railway will be the 150th Anniversary day on Saturday 1st July 2023 followed by the eight-day Transport Festival at the end of July.  Elsewhere progress is being made on the Association’s cosmetic restoration of No.5 Mona which is on schedule to take part in these celebrations; a fuller update on this project will be posted onto this site shortly.  Trains continue to operate to the “R” timetable throughout June.