Isle Of Man Steam Railway

The first 'Commuter Club' train of 2021 ran today headed by IMR No13 Kissack on the dining set .... with full Fireman's Breakfast available. A very nice set of photos and a photo tour of the workshops can be viewed on the Heritage Railway Volunteers Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/hrviom/
One of our volunteers posted a photo of his repast (and the 07.45 train) on another site - I hope he doesn't mind me re-posting them here. Those Nat.Pres. members on a post Christmas diet might want to resist clicking on the thumbnail!
Ray.

 

As seen in the photo below (from the Heritage Railway Volunteers Facebook page) IMR No4 Loch (1874) had her first outing since being rebuilt today. Further photos can be found at https://www.facebook.com/hrviom/ and some video on the IoMSRSA Facebook page.
This was just in time as the Island goes back into full lockdown tomorrow as a result of a handful of positive Covid tests associated with someone returning from the U.K. Grrr...
Ray.

 

A very nice job ..... as our old panel beater (Cliff Hards, a prewar motor cycling racer) was wont to say, on standing back, roll up newly lit, to survey a newly finished job "There you go, just like a new ba***rd!".

A real credit to all involved.

 

IMR No4 Loch took a test train (load 4) to Port Soderick yesterday morning and load 6 to Santon and back in the afternoon. Photos and video on the Heritage Railways Volunteers Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/hrviom/ and on the IoMSRSA facebook page.
Ray.

 

Good to hear on the Jeremy Vine radio show yesterday reports on how the full lockdown worked and the debate about how the tourist industry could restart?

 

Recently rebuilt IMR loco No 4 Loch was out and about again yesterday to collect F39 (The Foxdale coach) and long-stored 'Pairs' F63 from Port Erin Carriage shed. Attached photo, courtesy of Heritage Railway Volunteers, shows No4 about to depart back to Douglas with F63 and F39 in tow. Further photos can be found at https://www.facebook.com/hrviom/
Cheers,
Ray.

 

Great to see Loch back.
What's happening with the Pairs and Foxdale coach?

 

F62, now fully restored, is due back anytime and I believe that F63 is being considered for a similar rebuild. As F63 is only through piped I presume F39 was there to provide the automatic brake in the event of the train dividing.
Cheers,
Ray.

 

Hi, new to the forum, but have visited the island many times up till 2000, still keep in touch with what’s happening with the railway, was interesting to see Thornhill has been moved, is there any other news on this?

 

Welcome to the Forum, Chris. The owner is a rather private person and doesn't publicize what he is doing. He has made a fantastic job of the Cleminson 6 wheeler and I'm sure that No14's restoration will be carried out to a similar high standard. Other than repeating that Thornhill has gone to an engineering works in the North of England I know no more......sorry - but thanks for your interest. Here's a photo of No14 on display at Douglas in 1974 to be going on with.
Cheers,
Ray.

 

Sorry to be slow, what's happened with the Cleminson carriage?

 

Thanks for the info Ray, much appreciated, always good to hear the stored locos are having work done, especially one that hasn’t been seen since the 70s

had many a childhood holiday on the island and followed the railway ever since, would love to go back at some point

 

AFAIK the restored Cleminson is stored in the Douglas carriage shed but I haven't been in there since it returned to the railway. I only called in to the the workshops briefly yesterday, Nos 13 & 15 were in the workshops with Caley being lifted. No4 was in the running shed having cosmetic rivets welded on to the new tanks.
Cheers,
Ray.

 

Does anyone from the railway know why all the engines have the same look. As in all have one wheel and 2 driving wheels. I like the engines lots but on other railways engines have all different types of wheels and looks. Was there a reason they all kept the same

 

Picture of the Cleminson in the running shed on the 4th January this year before it was moved into the carriage shed.

 

Because the IoMR (and MNR) bought what worked for them, which was the Beyer Peacock 2-4-0. There are at least 4 variations on the type within the fleet, so they certainly aren't all the same, although they are clearly from the same family. There were 2 (now scrapped) Sharp Stewart 2-4-0 Tanks, and of course the Dübs 0-6-0 Caledonia, on the Manx Northern as well, so not all Isle of Man steam locos were the Beyer type.

John

 

That Cleminson looks just fantastic! Many thanks to @GHWood for posting the image. Q: Is the chassis as comprehensively restored as the bodywork?

No.4 Loch really is coming on apace. Great to see the test runs. The attention to detail shouldn't surprise anyone familiar with IoM restorations, but hats off to the workshop staff just the same.

Bloomin' cheek I know (what with all the carriage restorations currently underway to look forward to), but could anyone please comment on the status of F21, which I think is one currently still in store? Is this the vehicle repatriated, part restored from Dromod?

 

As far as I know, the chassis restoration on the cleminson is comprehensive but I stand to be corrected. You are right that F21 is the carriage which returned from Dromod. According to the latest IOMSRSA journal, it’s due to move to Port St Mary goods shed for woodworm treatment and assessment for a potential return to service (not sure if this has occurred yet). There are some pics on FB showing some of the work carried out on the interior whilst at Dromod. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10157514241909249&type=3

 

I'd understood 5 & 6 were very much in the return to service (long term) pipeline and not seen simply as for static display especially as they fit in with 4 & the 10 - 13 series.

As for No2 it's not accurate to say it's totally long gone as a lot of parts survive including the pony truck. The frames however were cut up around 78. By the sounds of it not all the frames on even in service locomotives are original and there's question about whether the Southwold frames are indeed 7 or 4's?

I'd also understood even 14 was back on the system to allow for asbestos removal.