No.25 Sprout
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Fleet No.:
Name:
Year:
Overall Width:
Manufacturers:
Works Number:
Last Operated:
Length:
Name Origin:
No.25
Sprout
1966
3’ 1”
Motor-Rail Co
40S-280
In Traffic
6’ 2¾”
“Small Cabbage”
One of two similar units, this example has a protective roof whereas No.24 Betsy is open-topped; it saw extensive use on both the railway and the electric line on departmental duties and was overhauled off-site in 2021 it returned to the railway with a replacement cab unit, at which time the fleet number and name were applied for the first time making the unit canonical within the historical fleet numbering sequence.
It was built for use at National Coal Board depot at Kilnhurst in Yorkshire and arrived on the island in October of 1996, being overhauled and painted yellow. It was used during the short line workings to Santon Station during the I.R.I.S. Scheme works to shunt stock and also spent some time on the electric railway. Its most recent use was in the winter of 2022/2023 used in conjunction with lineside flailing with Well Wagon No.2, currently stored at Castletown Station.
Carrying an all-over blue scheme on delivery, it was painted yellow by Derby Castle Depot staff when in use on the electric line, with red chevrons and stenciling added, being painted into the standard departmental dark green upon return and fitted with the post-war crests on the cab sides. It was taken off-island for a refurbishment in 2022, returning with a rebuilt drivers' cab and new windows with protective cages covering the glazed openings. Also fitted with an air-operated chime whistle.
In July of 2024 the locomotive was repainted by volunteers from the Association whilst stored at Castletown Station ahead of its appearance on display as part of the 150th anniversary celebration; the frames were painted black having previously been green, No.25 fleet decal added to the rear cab sheet, and the holly green livery was retained; buffers and couplings were repainted to overall red and the locomotive was used for the anniversary event for the station. By October the name stickers had been removed though the unit is more often than not referred to by its moniker.
June 2022 in the goods shed at Port St. Mary Station to shunt No.5 Mona as cosmetic restoration by volunteers of the Association continue ahead of the 150th anniversary.
October 2022 and No.25 is in use shunting M.78 into the railway museum at Port Erin Station as part of a movement of exhibits to allow a relay of the track in the main hall.
In July 2022 deputised for No.24 Betsy which was receiving attention to its clutch, acting as shunter at Port Erin Station for several weeks, driven by secretary Grant Taylor.
With No.4 Loch passing on Ultimate Driver Experience duty on 20th July 2024 while the unit was being painted by Association volunteers.
Port Erin Station carriage shed with No.25 stored between uses in August 2022, with the well wagon storing the boiler from No.5 Mona just visible to the right.
August 2001 outside the workshops at Douglas Station whee it was based at the time, being moved to Santon as required for shunting duties during short line workings.
With half-brake carriage F.43 in the carriage shed at Port Erin Station where the unit is commonly stored when not in departmental use on the line, March 2022 prior to the drivers cab being replaced.
July 2024 upon completion of a repaint by Association volunteers on the goods siding at Castletown Station ahead of the following month when anniversary events took place.
Short line workings in July 2001 saw No.25 deployed to Santon Station which acted as temporary terminus, the other end of the loop being out of action for some time.
In May 2021 No.25 was stored in the running shed at Douglas Station having spent a period on the electric railway earlier in the year. Ther unit is based between the two railways.
The M.E.R. do enjoy a stencil; here is the unit in a yellow livery with red chevrons following a spell on the M.E.R., at Douglas Station. showing the original cab unit.
20th July 2024 upon completion of a repaint by Association volunteers on the goods shed siding at Castletown Station ahead of the following month when anniversary events took place.
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