All-Thirds Carriage F.48
One of two all-thirds carriages supplied by the Metropolitan Carriage & Wagon Co., Ltd., of Saltley Works in Birmingham in 1923, the other being F.47, and rarely out of use since delivery, together with sister F.47 these carriages represent the backbone of the service fleet and are commonly used on the Douglas-based train set with the other Large “F” carriages. Since delivery the carriage has rarely been out of passenger traffic save for routine maintenance and painting. Comprising six third class compartments and capable of accommodating up to 48 passengers, it is presently in the process of a full repaint in December 2024; when finished it will be outshopped in the post-war red and cream livery carrying Ailsa Era crests with a green No.16 Mannin to eventually make up a set of carriages representing this era to complement No.11 Maitland outshopped in spring green. Prior to 1967 carriages did not carry any crests, save for the saloons.
At Port Erin Station in June 2006 during a shunt to add carriages onto a busy train during the T.T. period.
December 2024 in the process of a full exterior repaint in the works at Douglas Station to retain the post-war livery.
June 1968 at Douglas Station with sister carriage F.47 in front, these two are commonly paired together in a rake.
With No.11 Maitland at Douglas Station in the summer of 1998 during the Steam 125 events in purple lake and off-white.
Purple lake and off-white livery in September 1933 at Douglas Station, note the “torpedo” roof-mounted vents.
With “pair” F.54 at Douglas Station used during pre-season staff shunter training in in February of 2021.