“Ducal” (Or Governors’) Saloon F.75
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This unique carriage consists of two of the first four-wheel carriages built for the opening of the Peel Line in 1873 and supplied by the Metropolitan Carriage & Wagon Co., Ltd., of Saltley Works in Birmingham. This is made up from only two non-compartment (saloon) four-wheelers, the latter of which began life as a compartment carriage, later converted.
Upon delivery of the first bogie carriages from Brown, Marshall & Co., Ltd., in 1876 this carriage was close-coupled with C.9 and later mounted onto a bogie underframe in 1926 to become “pairs” carriage F.75, the final one of the batch and the last to be so treated, hence the final fleet number of the “F” series.
The left portion as illustrated below was built as A.12 with its larger windows (at the southern end of the two) while C.9 has five smaller windows each side of the central door and small opening windows above the centre glazing. The panelling between the two illustrates how they became “pairs” with the gap covered over.
Remaining in this formation since 1926, an opening between the two saloons was created for the reopening in 1967 by Lord Ailsa and the following year the carriage made an excursion to St. John’s Station for the first ever Supporters’ Association special train, more details of which may be read here.
It remained in periodic use thereafter, with a premium sometimes being charged to travel in it, entering the then-new museum in 1975 where it has remained since, apart from a short spell from 1998 when stored in Douglas Station during refurbishments, transferred by rail, returning in early 1999 to the new facility, the last time it travelled the length of the line.
In February 2014 it was moved to a dedicated plinth during renovations by volunteers of the Association and it remains here today, coupled to closed van G.19 though the interior is not available for public inspection. For the 1967 reopening an aperture was created between the two.
The interior is not open for public viewing, having been used for the storage of non-displayed items over the years; sadly woodworm was discovered in some of these and they were subsequently disposed of, spreading to the carriage, effects of which are gopefully limited in future.
The Supporters’ Association have in the past discussed the renovation of this unique significant carriage, possibly to its earlier condition and livery, these plans are retained on file but with other projects taking precedent, notably restoring F.6, nothing has reached fruition to date.
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As built they are beleived to have been painted green as opposed to the purple lake of the other early rolling stock making them unique, though it is likley that C.9 was initially not so trea
F.75 on its plinth in the Railway Museum shortly after being positioned there by Association volunteers in February 2014.
F.75 at Douglas Station in June 1969 when it was occasionally used in traffic, passengers paying a premium to travel in it.
A relatively rare view at Port Erin Station dated August 1938 showing F.75 in the purple lake and off-white livery in general service.
F.75 in model form on the Douglas ’61 layout by Association member Michael Radcliffe, seen in September of 2017.
The interior of the saloons in the summer of 1997 showing the aperture between the two created by Lord Ailsa for reopening day thirty years earlier.
On the right in the Railway Museum during shunting of F.36 in February 2022, variance in style between the two is clearly evident.
Shunting in Douglas Station during July 1972 when the carriage was promoted as in service for a premium ticket fare.
Lettering detail on the upper panel which was applied during the last repaint of the carriage in the early part of 1975 prior to entering the museum.
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