No.17 Viking
No.17 Viking was built by Schöema of Dortmund, Germany in 1958 as one of three identical units. What follows has been extracted from contemporary source materials and charts the arrival of the unit on the railway and initial testing carried out at the time:-
Manx Steam Railway News No.101
“ ...earlier this year a party of four from Isle of Man Railways travelled to Germany to view a four wheel, three foot gauge diesel locomotive which is currently up for sale. The party consisted of Transport Executive Robert Smith, Colin Goldsmith, Graham Warhurst and Maurice Faragher. It is understood that the single cab locomotive would be able to haul a complete train, should this prove necessary due to a steam loco failure. Its current weight of 26 tons is somewhat excessive for the permanent way, but Isle of Man Railways reckon they can overcome this with the removal of several items, including the huge couplings that will not be required on the Island. The cost of the loco delivered to the Island is £20,000. This is a bargain considering how useful it will prove to the railway, and economical in not having to steam a loco every time a heavy load such as rail needs moving...”.
Friday 24th July 1992 : Test Train
The train would basically follow the path of the 11.45am ex-Douglas out (this train not running on a Friday) and return to Douglas in time for the departure of the 2.10pm. The following log of the journey was recorded by Alistair Lamberton, the train consisting of carriages F.30, F.10, F.11 and F.18:-
From Douglas Station / Crossing From Port Erin
10.57 Douglas 2.12
11.12 Port Soderick 1.58
11.23 Santon 1.47
11.25 Ballalonna 1.44
11.26 Ballastrang 1.43
11.31 Ballawoods 1.38
11.34 Ballahick 1.36
11.36 Ballasalla 1.34
11.44 Castletown 1.27
11.46 Mill Road 1.25
11.57 Colby 1.14
12.00 Kentraugh 1.12
12.01 The Level 1.11
12.02 Ballagawne 1.09