Ballaugh Station

Station Name:

Date Opened:

Date(s) Closed:

Lines Served:

Coordinates:

From St. John’s:

Current Status:

Ballaugh

23rd Sept. 1879

6th Sept. 1968

North Line

 54.310°N 4.541°W 

10 Miles, 10 Chains

Closed & Lifted

One of the original stopping places on the Manx Northern Railway and established for the opening in 1879, the structure here was largely identical to those at St. Germain’s, Kirk Michael and Sulby Bridge with its twin gables constructed from red sandstone and situated beside the passing road.  Provided with a lengthy passing loop and later a stone-built goods shed on its seaward side, in 1883 the site was expanded to include a siding accessed from the seaward line.


During these works the existing loop was extended to carry on across the main road, leaving the points south of the level crossing.  A cattle loading dock was also provided at this time, served by a siding extending from the shed.  Further modifications in 1923 saw a second loop introduced, making it the most comprehensive intermediate station on the line, and illustration of the importance of non-passenger traffic at this time.


The station remained a regular crossing point for trains until the latter days of operation and was also occasionally used for the exchange of locomotives in order that crews ended up at their home sheds at the conclusion of their shifts.  The level crossing was operated manually by the station staff, unlike Kirk Michael no watering facilities were provided.  It remained in use throughout the final two seasons, closing at the beginning of September 1968.


Following closure the rails were lifted and station demolished, though the goods shed survived and was obtained by Ballaugh Commissioners and used as a store for many years before a lease was secured by Ballaugh Heritage Trust who now occupy the premises.  The site today has been grassed over and forms a public area, the stone loading dock surviving and a small section of track established immediately outside the goods shed.


The station featured a clock mounted into the wall of the structure, and a similarly mounted postbox; latterly it carried an unprototypical blue colour scheme to the eaves, fascias, window and door frames, unique to this station.  Since closure the trees along the perimeter have grown considerably, and modern bungalow built on the site of the original structure.  The trackbed is now part of the Heritage Trail.


Currently in the goods shed reside a scale model of the original station, hefty set of weighing scales, two original running in boards and a number of interpretive panels, the original rails remaining in situ in the cobbled floor.  Two tinplate signs promoting Petter Oil Engines and Swan Vesta matches are also stored inside, originally mounted on the exterior walls as evidenced in the accompanying photographs.


The Association have a working relationship with the Ballaugh Heritage Trust with a view to expanding the exhibits on the site and met in early 2024 to discuss potential plans for the future development of the site.  The shed is commonly open to the public during closed line bus tours during the annual heritage transport festival.

A solitary "M" series wagon stands in the goods yard with the shed in the distance, in the summer of 1969 prior to the very last movement.

The goods shed after closure in 1977 still carrying one of the familiar Swan Vesta adverts prominent at stations for many years.

Two of the original running in boards which are stored in the goods shed illustrating the differing styles of lettering used.

The site today with the modern bungalow taking the site of the station and remaining goods shed, home to the Ballaugh Heritage Trust.

After the last trains had passed in September 1968 showing the remnants of the later blue colour scheme carried by the building.

Ballaugh Heritage Trust currently lease the former goods shed from Ballaugh Commissioners, situated at the roadside.

An overgrown station looking north in 1971 with the long passing loop still in situ, this would be lifted five years later.

The level crossing gates looking south in the final summer of 1968 showing the unkempt condition of the permanent way at that time.

The elevation of the goods shed showing the only rail-access doors and short panel of track outside which are not connected.