M.N.Ry. Carriage No.1 (N.40)

Unique among the set of fourteen, this had First Class accommodation across three separate compartments, with a doorway for each. In each, seating was provided around the circumference with an additional Ottoman-type central seat, holding fourteen  including two on the Ottoman, although by 1889 James Boyd recalls that the central seat had been removed and the overall capacity updated to twenty-four passengers.  Brown moquette seats upholstered to waist height were featured, with Lincrusta (embossed patterned paper) ceiling, a common feature of rolling stock; the panelling was of polished sycamore with black and gold trim, net luggage racks above the seats were fitted, similar to those in the later 1905 saloons, and lighting was from a single roof-mounted oil lamp, one in each of the three compartments.


By 1922 the dwindling popularity of first class saw the carriage downgraded though it retained the fittings detailed above; it was sold in 1975 and is now part of the Phyllis Rampton Charitable Trust collection, sometimes referred to as “Collection X”.  The accompanying image shows the carriage in the purple lake livery with off-white upper panels, a colour scheme it carried after the varnished teak appearance was abandoned on the basis of its considerable upkeep; all carriages were so treated.

Original No.:

Later No.:

Built:

Width:

Builders:

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Wheelbases:

M.N.Ry. No.1

I.M.R. N.40

1879

6’ 9”

Swansea

30’ 0”

2’ 3”

24’ 0”

Above: consisting of three large first class compartments, this rendering shows No.1 as it is imagined it appeared when first delivered for the opening of the Manx Northern Railway in varnished teak (much as M.N.Ry. No.6 has been restored today) with the addition of blue/gold beading lining and class designations on the doors.  The roof-mounted oil lamp housings complete the original look, one lamp per compartment.

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

Stored in the yard at St. Johns Station after withdrawal with other members of the series, seen here in April 1955.