Following our successful project to cosmetically restore No.5 Mona in the goods shed at Port St. Mary which came to fruition in July 2023 in time for the 150th anniversary celebrations, earlier in the year the Association announced their intention to carry out similar work on No.9 Douglas as and when time allows.  To this end a project fund was created to raise enough monies to complete the works with an aim of completion for the anniversary of the south line in August 2024.

Whilst there remains much work to be done to this historic locomotive, progress by a small but dedicated group of volunteers has seen steady progress throughout 2023 so far, attention being focussed largely on the inner frames and motion which require completion prior to the boiler and cabs being reunited with the locomotive (these are presently in storage at Douglas Station) after which work can continue on reassembly and undercoating ahead of professional painters finishing the job.

The locomotive will carry the darker green livery with broad lining detail in vermilion, white and black based on early photographs including detail around the spectacle plates.  The Association purchased one of the original name and worksplates at auction in 2022 and these will be reunited with the locomotive as a finishing touch.  It will retain its bell-mouth dome with Salter safety valves and smaller ancillary parts will be sourced to complete the look of this iconic locomotive.