No.14 Thornhill Β (M.N.Ry. No.3)
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No.3
No.14
Β Thornhill
Residence
19 Tons, 10cwt
1880
2-4-0T
Beyer, Peacock
B.P.2028
October 1964
803,728
11β x 18β
3β 9β
The final swap came in 1921 when another boiler from No.5 dating from 1914 was placed in the frames and it is this boiler that remained in use until the end of the locomotive's service career.Β Withdrawal came after a reduction to reduced pressure, the final workings being in 1961.Β Fitted with chimney numerals after the take-over, these were removed in 1956 when a new shorter chimney was fitted.Β Retaining the distinctive Salter safety valves until withdrawal from service in 1963 after which is was placed into storage in the carriage shed at Douglas Station along with other out of service locomotives at the time.Β It was repainted and placed on display at St. Johnβs Station during the 1967 and 1968 seasons, in what was thought to be close to the original colour scheme; after the close of the Peel and Ramsey lines in 1968 the display was moved to Douglas Station where it remained periodically until 1974 after which is returned to storage in the carriage shed, the short line workings of 1975 and 1976 meaning the termini were Castletown Station and Ballasalla Station respectively.
M.N.Ry. No.3 Thornhill was built for the Manx Northern Railway by Beyer, Peacock & Co., in 1880 concurrently with No.7 Tynwald for the Isle of Man Railway and was largely identical.Β Seeing extensive use in the earliest of days, the first new boiler was fitted in 1896.Β Becoming No.14 upon the merger with the Isle of Man Railway Company in 1905 (though not initially receiving its number and chimney numeral) it was the only Beyer, Peacock & Co., locomotive provided to the Manx Northern Railway.Β After the merger it received the 1896 boiler from No.4 Loch in 1910 which remained until 1913 when the 1893 boiler from No.2 Derby was fitted in its place.Β There was a further swap in 1916 when the boiler provided in 1895 for No.5 Mona was installed in the locomotive.Β
In 1978 shortly after the nationalisation of the railway the locomotive was sold for private preservation in the north of the island by a Supportersβ Association member, remaining in display condition in the brigher red livery as last seen on display.Β Itt remained here for several years in a purpose-built shed with six-wheel Cleminson carriage M.N.Ry. No.6 (which was purchased at the same time and has since been restored and resides in the Railway Museum adjacent to Port Erin Station).Β The owner is in the process of having work carried out on the locomotive and it is presently at the premises of John Fowler Engineering Ltd., of Bouth in Cumbria.
August 1957 at St. Johnβs Station and No.14 shunting in the yard with the water tower prominent; this was the last former Manx Northern locomotive to remain in regular use.
April 1950 saw No.14 still in regular use, largely on the north line as was common; seen here at St. Johnβs Station with Salter valves lifting, these were retained until the end.
February 1959 with No.12 outside the running shed at Douglas Station; the cab dodgers rolled down would indicate inclement weather, used on winter north line trains.
Repainted in an approximation of her original livery and placed on display at St. Johnβs Station after withdrawal, a paint scheme she was to continue wearing for over fifty years.
In service on the North Line in 1947; note the leading carriage, of the half-brake luggage vans, is still carrying the wartime austerity livery of brown.
Extract from the locomotive book detailing the lake colour lined with black and vermillion as M.N.Ry. No.4 Caledonia appears today.
A steamy scene from April 1960 shunting at Douglas Station in her latter days of service; commonly used on her home metals of the north line, rarely venturing south.
July 1960 and No.14 on a northbound train at St. Johnβs Station, from the Association's publication A Photographic Journey by John Langford, available from our sales page.
In July of 2020 the locomotive was cleaned by Association volunteers for a photo-call marking the completion of restored six-wheeler M.N.Ry. No.6.
An early view of the locomotive at Ramsey Station facing chimney-first out of her home station and in modified condition, note the position of the front sandboxes by the tanks.
The locomotive standing beside six-wheeled carriage M.N.Ry. No.6 shortly after arrival at its new home following private purchase in 1978.
Specification from the locomotive book showing the request for a brass plate on the rear of the coal bunker reading M.N.R. as originally carried when delivered.
August 1957 at Douglas Station awaiting departure in the post-war Indian Red livery applied to the whole fleet commencing in 1946 but taking some years to become standard.
September 1958 at Ramsey Station, note the prominent dent in the brass dome cover; the wagon here is one of a series which totalled 78 similar vehicles at their peak.
July 1958 at Ballaugh Station from a well known postcard; still working on home metals after many years.Β Her new home was a stoneβs throw from Ballakilligan.
On display at St. Johnβs Station in 1968 joined by No.1 Sutherland as part of a line-up of several withdrawn locomotives that were very much a feature of the final two seasons.
An early view captured at Kirk Michael Station chimney-first out of Ramsey Station; note the sandbox mounted on the running place beneathe the clack.
Surviving numbering on the rear of the bunker as applied when repainted for display purposes back in 1968 in yellow with black drop shadow as standard.
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