N.45 : M.N.Ry. No.6
Purchased for the opening of the Manx Northern Railway on 23rd September 1879 from the Swansea Carriage & Wagon Co. As with the similar No.5, the end compartments are a narrow 4’ 9” wide, and the carriage differed from the remainder of the series, being braked and arranged as Guard / 3rd 3rd / 3rd 3rd / 3rd, there being full-height partitions for a pair of compartments and between Guard and Third Class; whereas the similar No.5 was reconfigured a number of times over the years, this example remained as supplied. As with other six-wheelers, its use dwindled following the amalgamation of 1905, the Railway Company preferring its own bogie stock; the last recorded use in passenger traffic came in 1940 and it was the stored in the carriage shed at Ramsey Station. This was leased out in 1954 and the six-wheelers were moved to St. John’s Station where Harry Cubbon’s wing was laid beside the carriage shed there to accommodate them. Having spent some time (unusually under cover unlike other), this carriage was selected for preservation and bought in 1975 by Supporters’ Association member Julian Edwards, residing in a purpose-built shed in the north of the island while a long-term restoration was undertaken. For the next four decades progress was made and by 2021 the largely complete vehicle returned to the railway for trails and fitting of through-piping for vacuum brakes. By the end of 2022 it had successfully travelled the entire length of the south line, possibly for the first time ever in its career, and took up residence in the Railway Museum in the summer of 2023, venturing out occasionally for special events when, for a premium, members of the public may travel in it. The standard of restoration is exemplary and can be viewed at close quarters in the museum, as can the original rather sparse third class interiors retaining their original horsehair seats. It is occasionally removed from exhibition during festival periods to offer the rare opportunity to travel in it, or for photographic charters. The fleet lettering applied to it is based on existing original panels salvaged from a number of other carriages of the series.
M.N.Ry. No.:
I.M.R. No.:
Width:
Length:
Wheel Dia.:
Wheelbases:
No.6
N.45
6’ 9”
30’ 0”
2’ 3”
24’ 0”
During April 2022 the carriage was put on test following through-piping for vacuum, seen here at Port Soderick Station on the first run.
April 2022 test trains, showing the spartan Third Class interior while at speed; this is very much how it would have been in traffic.
April 2022 at Douglas Station showing comparisons with bogie stock, in this case “pair” F.62 to the right and F.45 on the left.
Trial run following completion of through vacuum pipings, paused at Castletown Station in the summer of 2022.
Gauging trials in the railway museum during February 2023 following relay of the track in the main exhibition hall.
July 2022, used for a photography session, seen here at the conclusion of that event with No.13 Kissack in Douglas yard.
April 2022 at Santon Station paused during one of the initial trial runs following installation of piping for vacuum connections.
With No.14 Thornhill shortly after purchase and removed from the railway in the north of the island in 1978 prior to restoration.
February 2023 gauging the bay platform at Port Erin Station, this was a success, the running boards are clear of the platform edge.
August 2022 again on test at Love Lane Bridge in Castletown Station, the tightest curve on the line successfu