Isle Of Man Steam Railway

I particularly like the photo of Nos. 9 & 12, before Douglas was entombed at Douglas. Any idea which loco loaned it's smokebox door, or was that a reasonably convincing mock up?

The image of a tatty, unloved No.6 languishing in the gloom really needs posting alongside one of the pristine loco following much needed (cosmetic) attention from the IMRSA. The contrast couldn't be greater

 

I think we have to be realistic. Building bespoke, powerful, narrow gauge bogie diesels for tight loading gauges is not cheap or easy. There were second hand locos available but they come with their own problems. Even if you put a new engine and transmission in an L45H, you are still buying a 40 year old loco. Don't forget that the parts causing the most issues on 21 are second hand from one of the largest builders of diesel electrics on the planet.

Perhaps other builders could have done better. Or at least have been more upfront about what they were selling. However this was not an easy project with an easy solution. There are no doubt some very talented companies in the UK but they can't magic these things up for half the price. The two new Snowden locos came in at £1.1million just to give you an idea of costs.

Tim

 

Realistically, any departure from what's becoming increasingly a world standard gauge (except on the Isle of Man) is going to send prices northwards. Even Cape and Metre gauges, both quite widespread, present their own procurement problems in these days of international standards and with new SG lines going in across everywhere between the southern fringes of the Sahara and S.Africa, that's only going to be increasing factor. I'm not aware of any cross-pollination ever between any of the world's far flung 5'-3" gauge railways.

 

I seem to remember that the "smokebox door" was just a circle of MDF type material courtesy of a young Mr. Buttell and it did look very convincing from a distance.
The full details of the 2022 Rush Hour event over Easter have now been released and can be downloaded here https://www.iombusandrail.im/media/2372/rush-hour-2022.pdf
As always news and updates will be posted on the HRV site here https://www.facebook.com/hrviom/
Ray.

 

The first train of the 2022 season about to depart Douglas at 9.50. Photo courtesy of Heritage Railway Volunteers.
Ray.

 

Looking forward to pictures of Maitland in service, hope she’s out soon, any news on this?

 

Patience, grasshopper!

 

haha, you’d think i was on the island waiting wouldn’t you

 

I'm on the island to the east (as I've been told in no uncertain terms it is!). I'd reckon we'll have oodles of lovely piccies by this time next week. If you're over there, camera in hand, I'm a tad jealous!

 

me too, i really do want to go at some point but don’t have an opportunity at the moment, i last visited in 1999 bit have kept myself in the loop with books and internet. My aunt who live there is 80 this year so I’m thinking of popping over at some point with my mum, Liverpool is extremely close so a seacat visit could be possible

 

Maitland is having the lining out done at present but is scheduled to be the star attraction at the Easter “Rush Hour” events

 

It was another fine and sunny day on the IoM today so a bit of gricing was called for... First port of call was Port Erin Museum for quick look at No.6 which still awaits lining out. The first photos below show No.4 Loch framed in the shed doorway and awaiting departure time with the 14.00 to Douglas. At Castletown the driver of No.4 exchanges staffs with the driver of No.13 Kissack on the 13.50 from Douglas. The last pair of photos show No.13 getting the 'right-away' and setting for Port Erin as the last carriage of the Douglas bound train disappears in the distance.

It was pleasing to see that the first train of the season (09.50 ex Douglas yesterday) was fully loaded - let's hope that it is the start of a bumper year for IoM Rlys who have released a short video of the first departure

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=480094256994306

Cheers,
Ray.

 

The railway has opened and loadings have been very good on the first 4 days, bolstered by groups of visiting coach tours. Numbers 4 and 13 are running the service whilst No11 is due back into service shortly and No15 (MNR4) receives attention in the works.
On the volunteers side we have started to refresh some of the exhibits in the railway museum, and await the completion of painting and lining on exhibit loco No6 which is under the auspices of the Isle of Mam Steam Railway Supporters Association. For this year the Railway Museum will be free admission to all holders of valid train tickets and passes

 

No.11 was in the running shed at Douglas alongside N0.13 this afternoon. The contrast in liveries is noticeable with Maitland in the 'Ailsa' green introduced in 1967 whilst Kissack wears the original 'Holly' green which was the standard livery between 1873 and 1946. Photo courtesy of IMR Online.
Ray.

 

What a great photo, thanks for sharing Ray, Maitland's first day back in service is getting so close now

Chris

 

just thinking when GH Wood & Hutchinson return, I wonder what liveries they are going to carry, it seems there is going to be enough locos as some point for each of the three liveries to be on 2 locos each, are there any current timings on when the 10 & 12 are likely to return?

 

I have heard that the plan is to have 2 in each livery but not sure whether that's fact or 'nice to have'. I believe that No.12 will retain its current Indian red livery and No.10 was in Ailsa green before so I expect that will be retained as well. Timescale? - How long is a piece of string???? No.12 went to the SVR to have the boiler washout plug holes realigned and will return in due course for the overhaul to be completed 'in-house'. The last I saw of No.10 it was just a bare frame at Bridgnorth. It all takes time and lots of money which is a bit tight at the mo.
Ray.

 

it definitely would be nice to have, I imagine Mannin having the same livery as 13, which would be good. Looking forward to the eventual return of 10 and 12, but yes, I imagine cost will be the major factor, is 10 having the same rebuild as 11? sorry for all the questions as I have very little knowledge on what it takes to rebuild an engine. I do remember seeing the picture of 10 at Bridgenorth and it was just the frame, so clearly a lot of work to go into the rebuild

Chris