The Level
Station Name:
Date Opened:
Date(s) Closed:
Lines Served:
Coordinates:
Postal Address:
From Douglas:
Current Status:
The Level / Yn Laare
1879
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Port Erin
54°05’ 29”N 4°43’16”W
Croit-E-Caley Road, Rushen
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Seasonal (Request Stop)
Above: the former crossing keepers' lodge has been restored by the Supporters' Association twice, in 2012 and 2021, the second of which saw it changed from the traditional green scheme to a more bold maroon livery. The crossing was automated in 2001 and the lodge has been used for storage since this time.
(Photo: I.o.M.S.R.S.A.)
Established as a level crossing in 1877 at which time the current stone lodge was constructed to a similar design to that seen elsewhere on both the Peel and south lines, this diminutive site has been classified as a request stop at various times throughout its history and borne a number of names. The locale of the area is believed to be the origin of the name, being connected with levels of mine workings at the nearby Rushen Mines; it has variously been referred to as The Level, Level (Rushen), Colby Level and less so Croit-E-Caley. When work was carried out by the Association in 2012 a conscious effort was made to standardise the name to The Level, primarily to avoid confusion with Colby Station itself and because geographically the station simply is not in Colby! The building on the opposite side, much modified in more recent times, was built as the crossing keepers’ house but went into private ownership in 1975 and has been much extended since this time. The current occupiers are great supporters of the railway and assist the Association with their floral displays each summer.
The word Colby having no Manx translation, the new running in board which appeared from 2008 in both languages simply stated it as The Level, with Yn Laare being the Manx translation above, this has been retained on subsequent signage provided by the Association as part of their dedicated upkeep to the site. When initial work was carried out all references to the word Colby were removed from the site so that today it has simply one name. It was used for many years by a local garage just yards up the road, who transported smaller car components such as exhaust pipes by rail, making it one of the last stopping places to nominally still operate a freight service. The crossing was manned by a dedicated gatekeeper until the gates were removed and automatic barriers installed in 2001, though it still remains a request stop. The half-height platform, installed at the same time, is the shortest on the railway being only one carriage-length and requiring some skill between the locomotive drive and guard to stop in the correct position. Passengers are often asked to sit towards the rear of the train if they wish to alight for this reason.
Crossing Lodge / Level Crossing / Half-Height Platform / Floral Displays / Request Stop
Shortly After Automation Of Crossing
July 2001
Quiet Time Between Trains
July 2022
After Association First Restoration
June 2014
Following Association Renovations
July 2022
Association Floral Displays
July 2022
Prior To Association Restoration
February 2012
Crossing Lodge With Flower Pots
August 2022
No.13 Kissack Passing By
August 2017
No.11 Maitland Passing By
June 1972