"G" Closed Vans

The “G” Series : Closed Vans

These four-wheeled closed vans were often used as tailstock on passenger trains for the cartage of goods and livestock. Today, there are three in existence, all of which remain on the railway, these are G.1, of the original 1873 batch, Gr.12, (the small “r” prefix denoting that its ex-Manx Northern origins) and G.19 which saw use for many years by the permanent way crews. The early covered goods wagons (more generally referred to as goods vans) supplied to the railway were built to carry a load of up to six tons with a tare (unladen weight) in the region of three tons. Suspension on the first four goods vans was by way of rubber blocks mounted above the axleboxes, a somewhat basic (cheap) design which was also used with the original four-wheeled passenger carriages delivered to the railway in 1873.

Initial batches were later fitted with this arrangement as and when they entered the works for attention. The original livery of the vans (and other types of wagon delivered) was noted contemporarily as being a pale grey initially; as repaints took place in later years, each vehicle took on slightly different shade of grey, latterly becoming much darker. The metal fixtures and fittings on the bodywork and chassis were painted black initially though much of the later repaints saw and all-over grey applied. The arched roof, formed from longitudinal wood planking, was overlaid with heavy linen cloth, its weave filled with white paint which quickly turned to a dark charcoal grey. No evidence has been found to show the style or existence of stock identification numbers applied on the goods vans and other types of wagon supplied in 1873, although that was customary practice for railway companies at the time.

These versatile vans were still in high demand until the latter days of operation and were frequently used as tailstock on regular passenger workings up until 1965, some seeing limited use after the reopening, notably G.5 and G.19 which were through-piped for vacuum working between the diesel railcars. The majority survived until the infamous Ballasalla Bonfire of 1974, leaving only G.1, Gr.12 and G.19 thereafter. In 2017 the Supporters’ Association began a major project to restore G.1 in time for the 150th anniversary celebrations in 2023 and this van was unveiled and handed over to the railway during a ceremony as one of the first events of that momentous season. Gr.12 has now been withdrawn and is displayed periodically in the railway museum at Port Erin with other items of rolling stock and locomotives, joining G.19 which entered the museum in 2014.

The original specifications for a covered goods wagon, shown on a drawing submitted by the Metropolitan Carriage & Wagon Co., Ltd., to the Isle of Man Railway Company for approval in 1872, states that it would be a “Covered Goods Wagon capable of being used as Third Class Carriage”, but the order was amended for the supply of four “goods-only” vehicles. The proposed small side windows, wheel operated brake gear, bench seats and side steps were omitted. The rendering above is based upon this proposal but omits the brake gear detailing. The rubber block suspension was found to be entirely unsatisfactory and was quickly replaced with coil spring suspension. This improved design fared little better and was itself replaced by proper leaf spring suspension from 1876 onward. Vans supplied to the railway after 1876 had leaf spring suspension fitted from new.

However, after arrival of the first bogie carriages in 1876, an improved rolling stock identification system was introduced by the Railway Company. The goods vans were allocated the letter prefix “G” with sequential numbers. This identification was painted on each side of the vehicle in large white letters and numerals with a black drop shadow. Tare and maximum load information was painted similarly along the solebar on each side of the vehicle. A variety of shades of grey can be seen carried by vehicles during their working lives, covered goods vans were purchased for the conveyance of perishable and spoilable items on the railway which were unsuited for transport in open-top wagons. Records indicate a wide range of products carried, including fish, meat and dairy products, grain, royal mail and parcels, drinks and, in some instances, even prize livestock as owners refused carriage by (at the time) cattle wagons.