With the south line only in operation simplified timetables became a feature, progressing to the inclusion of photographs and leaflet formats in the final days of the Isle Of Mann Victorian Steam Railway Co., Ltd. under Lord Ailsa; short line workings were in place in 1975 with only Port Erin to Castletown served, 1976 seeing this extended to Ballasalla and a return to full line working in 1977.

The following year saw the railway nationalised and operated by the Manx Electric Railway Board, ultimately becoming titled Isle of Man Railways as part of the public transport division, the final two years of the decade being marked by joint marketing with the electric railway, 1979 notably being the Manx Millennium year.  A variety of formets were experimented with across this turbulent period.