“Pairs” Carriage F.62
Paired in 1912 using a new bogie underframe from the Metropolitan Carriage & Wagon Co., Ltd., of Saltley in Birmingham using the bodies from 1873 four-wheel carriages A.1 and B.1 built for the opening of the Peel Line, in this form the carriage remained in regular traffic for a great many years until the summer of 1987 after which it was withdrawn in poor condition together with several others of the series. Latterly its use was restricted to peak times owing to poor condition.
Iit then entered storage, initially in the old carriage shed at Douglas Station until this was demolished in 1999, after which it spent a number of years stored on a new spur to the side of the new carriage shed before being moved to Port Erin in 2008; moved annually to Port St. Mary and stowed in the siding each T.T. week to allow the saloon carriages to be stored at Port Erin overnight, it was taken back to Douglas in February 2020 and later left the island for restoration by Stanegate Restorations, from where it returned completed in March 2021 and re-entered traffic. Today it sees regular use as part of the main fleet.
Undergoing attention to the roof in July 2022 in the workshops complex at Douglas Station with its first class compartments.
Seen in July 1933 at Port Erin Station showing the gap between the original four-wheel carriages and how they initially appeared.
Shortly after re-entering traffic following restoration, seen outside for the first time with the original four-wheel numbers.
Shortly after re-entering traffic following restoration, F.62 seen in May 2022 at Castletown Station on a northbound train.
F.62 back in traffic in August 2022 paused at Port St. Mary Station before the final few minutes trip to the terminus at Port Erin.
Work in progress at Stanegate Restorations showing the extent to which the carriage was stripped down.
May 2022 showing the restored first class interior at Port Erin Station shortly after returning to traffic.
One of the excellent examples of attention to detail in the restored carriage are the replica worksplates in each of the compartments.
Work nearing completion at Stanegate Restorations