N.42 : M.N.Ry. No.3
Purchased for the opening of the Manx Northern Railway on 23rd September 1879 from the Swansea Carriage & Wagon Co. 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 the carriage left the island in September 2012, it is now in open storage at Weetings Farm in Suffolk as part of a collection of vehicles for the Southwold Railway Trust. Some remedial work has been carried out, although one of the main solebars is broken which, without replacement, precludes the carriage from seeing further use.
M.N.Ry. No.:
I.M.R. No.:
Width:
Length:
Wheel Dia.:
No.3
N.42
6’ 9”
30’ 0”
2’ 3”
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.
In August 2023 following a repaint and repairs to the roof as well as replacement glazing panels following vandalism.
On Ramsey harbourside in October 2012 being loaded onto Silver River destined for its new home, a field in Suffolk.
Stored in the open as it was for several years, at St. John's Station in April 1955 looking to be in presentable condition.
The unusual bulkhead with large brake ducket housing hand brake wheel and small look-out window, believed to be a later addition.
Detail showing the original fleet number following years of outdoor storage at St. John's Station, seen in October of 1969.
On Ramsey harbourside in October 2012 being loaded onto Silver River destined for its new home, a field in Suffolk.
The carriage stored in the infill shed at Douglas Station prior to removal, with van G.1, since restored by the Association,
Post-merger fleet detailing seen at St. John's Station in April 1955 when stored with many other similar carriages in the yard there.