M.N.Ry. Carriage No.3 (N.42)

This was a composite arranged as 3rd /1st / 1st / 3rd, the original order for Second Class being amended prior to delivery.  Interestingly, research carried out by the late Doug Robinson revealed the remnants of the word “second” on the compartment door of N.42 so perhaps lettering had already been applied prior to this change?  There were forty-eight seats including twenty-eight First Class: within a year of delivery both had brake gear fitted by Swansea Carriage & Wagon Co., at a cost of £18 each. The interior arrangement was described by James Boyd as “curious”, with “...two commodious First Class areas and two trifling Third”; to house the guard one end compartment was given over and the brake ducket at the rear, much as was done on the I.M.R.   Owing to the small area provided for the guard it was aid that luggage were scarcely encouraged therein!  No.42 spent much of its time after withdrawal stored in the carriage shed at St. John’s, whereas the others remained in open storage; such was the benefit of this that it was deemed sound enough to be restored, albeit cosmetically, for entry into the new museum at Port Erin in 1976.  Having spent many years in the museum N.42 was removed to allow a refurbishment of the hall in 1998 and was not to return, ultimately leaving the island in September 2012, it is now in open storage at Weetings Farm in Suffolk.

Original No.:

Later No.:

Built:

Width:

Builders:

Length:

Wheel Dia.:

Wheelbases:

M.N.Ry. No.3

I.M.R. N.42

1879

6’ 9”

Swansea 

30’ 0”

2’ 3”

24’ 0”

Above: composite carriage No.3 was modified to consist of two larger first class compartments with one of the external third class areas converted to become a guards' compartment; the brake ducket is omitted from this rendering showing the carriage in a purple lake scheme with off-white panelling much as it appeared in 1976 when it entered the museum at Port Erin, but with the embellishement of lining out details on the panelling and class designations on the doors which were never applied when it was displayed.  The oil lamp housings for each compartment are conjectural.

(Photo: I.o.M.S.R.S.A.)

A sorry sight at Weetings Farm in Suffolk in April 2021, years of open storage taking their toll on the panelling of this historic carriage.

Stored in the open as it was for several years, at St. John's Station in April 1955 looking to be in presentable condition.

On Ramsey harbourside in October 2012 being loaded onto Silver River destined for its new home, a field in Suffolk.