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Isle Of Man Steam Railway

Discussion in 'Narrow Gauge Railways' started by David Bigcheeseplant, Jun 11, 2016.

  1. marshall5

    marshall5 Well-Known Member

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    I presume this is the Bowling Club which is adjacent to the site of Ballaugh Station. The station building demolished in the 70's was made of red sandstone blocks similar to Kirk Michael which still stands and in use as the fire station.
    Ray.
     
  2. Allan Thomson

    Allan Thomson New Member

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    Indeed it is.... wondering if anyone would know if it definitely is the same stone? My money is on it being the case...
     
  3. David Bigcheeseplant

    David Bigcheeseplant New Member

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    As regards No16 - still no change in the official statement "being assessed for a possible return to service". When I'm allowed to say more I will definitely post an update.
    Cheers,
    Ray.

    I have no idea what is happening with No.16 although my guess that it could be restored for the 150th anniversary of the south line!
     
  4. Chrisw77

    Chrisw77 New Member

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    Any news on 11

    and also the one that shall not be named
     
  5. Chrisw77

    Chrisw77 New Member

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    Would be great to see 16 out on the rails, hope they mange to restore to working order
     
  6. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    I gave up trying to 'second guess' anything to do with the IMR many moons ago, but in the case of No.16, you'd have to hope if there were anything glaringly obvious to kybosh the possibility of it coming back to life, we might've picked up some 'vibe' by now.

    Right now, it's the reappearance of a rejuvenated No.11 I'm eagerly looking forward to seeing. I'd imagine the railway's management are too.

    Following it's asbestosectomy, the repaint of No.6 (in the museum) is coming along very nicely indeed. I've no doubt the finished article will look every bit as stunning as No.1's recent cosmetic restoration (i.e. very).

    Luvvly piccies, of that and more besides, on the IOMSRSA's Facebook site. No sign-in required:
    https://m.facebook.com/IOMSRSA
     
  7. Chrisw77

    Chrisw77 New Member

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    thanks for info, yeah, can’t wait to see 11 back, really would love to visit the island and see the railway again, as for number 6 i was think that it’s going to be a high standard just like no 1, would be love to see no5 cosmetically restored to ailsa green and be placed in the museum also, thanks for info on facebook page, i am already following and have seen the recent pic of 6 which looks great so far
     
  8. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    I agree. Either No.5 or No.9* (s'pose we shouldn't be greedy!) in the Ailsa livery would look fantastic, perhaps (as on the Marquis' re-opening day) bedecked with a suitable flag display on tbe bufferbeam. As always, ideas are cheap, not so funding 'em!

    Don't forget, the Supporters Assoc. are currently beavering away to restore an original van too. Their third such project to bring back bistoric IMR goods stock, if memory serves. Given the railway's location, so much 'hands on' stuff relies on a small, dedicated band, who really work marvels.

    *I believe No.9 lacks a smokebox door, but with it's original sloping smokebox and bell-mouthed dome, it's just such a pretty little machine, in damned near original condition (and anyway, not nearly as useful as No.5 would be in the happy event of an extra service loco being needed!)
     
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  9. Chrisw77

    Chrisw77 New Member

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    Agree, would be great to see 5 restored to working order especially as she is now the only loco not to have been restored from the ailsa era, would love to see her receive some attention. 6 is looking great already.
    Yeah, is it an E van they are doing, the work they have done is amazing, they did post that they had been painting 5s boiler the other day so maybe things are happening there anyway
     
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  10. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Just yesterday. Good catch, that man! Great to see they've wasted no time since the asbestos went, but I doubt I'm the only one now wondering how 'tired' (or otherwise) that boiler is!
     
  11. Chrisw77

    Chrisw77 New Member

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    yeah it was yesterday, lost track of the days there, i'd imagine the boiler is pretty much beyond repair now but who knows
     
  12. marshall5

    marshall5 Well-Known Member

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    I'm afraid No5's boiler was on its last legs when withdrawn 53 yrs ago and I don't think it's got any better since then. The work being done on Mona is part of a cosmetic restoration only. Unless you have read something on the IoMSRSA site that I've missed the van in question is G1, a covered goods van of 1873 which had been stored for many years. E vans were 4 wheel guards' brakes and the last 3 were burned in the Ballasalla bonfires in1974. Thanks for your interest though.
    Cheers,
    Ray.
     
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  13. marshall5

    marshall5 Well-Known Member

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    The photos below, courtesy the Heritage Railways Volunteers https://www.facebook.com/hrviom/ show IMR No13 Kissack ready to depart Port Erin on the 07.45 Commuter Club train on which a full breakfast is served. This train operates on the first Friday of the month and the normal 6 coach dining set was fully booked with those wishing to eat so a small F (F18) was added for non-diners.
    commuter train Port Erin 3 Sep 2021.jpg commuter club breakfast.jpg

    Full details of the upcoming "Winter" Heritage Transport Festival 27-31 Oct have now been released and are described in the PDF attached below. All the usual favourites such as the ever popular workshop tours and tram driving sessions but also some new events. All we need now is for the weather to be kind to us!
    Cheers,
    Ray.
     

    Attached Files:

  14. Chrisw77

    Chrisw77 New Member

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    Thanks Ray, i had gotten confused about the van in question, thanks for clarifying, as for Mona glad to hear she is getting a cosmetic restoration, will be nice to see her looking shiny, Peveril is looking fantastic so far, great work being done by the IOMSRSA
     
  15. Chrisw77

    Chrisw77 New Member

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    More progress on Mona’s boiler being painted today, pic on the IOMSRSA Facebook page
     
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  16. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    From what's been said on this thread, by 'those in the know', concerning the condition of the undergubbins of both Nos.1 and 8, during their respective stints in 'nationalised era' service, I'm guessing the state of Mona's boiler is likely to be merely the biggest single item on a long list of completely shagged out decidedly tired components. The old company certainly had a knack of getting the most out of their loco fleet .... and then some!
     
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  17. marshall5

    marshall5 Well-Known Member

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    The only one of the stored locos with decent running gear is No9 Douglas which apparently had a bottom end overhaul not long before it was withdrawn in Nov. 1953 with only 917,717 miles 'on the clock'. No 9's boiler dates from 1912 and is the oldest on the IMR, and, although it avoided being run into the ground in the 60's like some of the others, probably needs total replacement. At present this boiler is on the large well wagon (with 10's refurbished old one) on the Peel line siding. The chassis and tanks were grit blasted and primed last year and is in dry storage in Port Erin carriage shed. Douglas is the most original of all the Beyers as, apart from the addition of vacuum braking and steam heating, is largely 'as built' in 1896 with sloping smokebox door and Salter safety valves. The photo below shows No9 in 1938 and it looked much the same until it was dismantled for asbestos removal last year. Apologies in advance for not crediting the photographer as I can't remember his name.
    Ray.
    IMR No9 Douglas 2 Aug 1938.jpg
     
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  18. marshall5

    marshall5 Well-Known Member

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    It continues to be a very busy season on the IMR. The 13.50 ex Douglas headed by recently rebuilt No4 Loch of 1874 was loaded to 6 bogies which were already well filled even before a large coach party boarded at Castletown. The 14.00 ex Port Erin was hauled by "the other" No4 (MNR) aka IMR No15 Caledonia seen exchanging staffs At Castletown.
    Loch returned from Port Erin on the 16.00 which had an extra coach added for yet another coach party. One can't help thinking "Yah! Boo! Sucks" to the DoI minister who thought that it wasn't worth running this year as there wouldn't be any visitors. Hopefully after the election on the 23rd he'll be looking for a real job.
    Cheers,
    Ray.
    IMG_2187 (2)a.JPG IMG_2192a.JPG
     
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  19. Mike Buttell

    Mike Buttell Member

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    Happy to confirm the red sandstone is indeed from the demolished station building
     
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  20. meeee

    meeee Member

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    This sort of thing is not always a good indicator of a locos condition. A 1950s bottom end overhaul can mean something completely different to a 2020s one.

    Welsh Pony had bottom end overhaul in the 1930s not long before it was withdrawn. Problem is they were overhauling a pile of life expired bits. Not much play in the bearings, just lots of cracks instead.

    Still it is good to see 5 and 9 getting some attention. Hopefully even if there is no prospect of running in the near future, they can be made fit for display from time to time.

    Tim
     
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