Isle Of Man Steam Railway

Some video footage from the Weem

 

Unfortunately No.9's restoration is taking longer than expected (doesn't it always?) but her boiler was lifted back into the frames yesterday morning. Photo courtesy of IoMSRSA.
Ray.

 

No.9 is already looking much more complete since the boiler and cab have been refitted. Photo courtesy IoMSRSA. Douglas is probably the most 'original' of the fleet having been withdrawn as early as November 1953. No.9's boiler dates from 1912 complete with Salter safety valves and sloping smokebox. Apart from the vacuum brakes and steam sanding gear she is very much 'as built' in 1896 so will be restored in the early dark green livery.
Ray.

 

Look forward to seeing her finished, any news more on 10 & 12?

 

I haven't heard anything recently on No.10 but No.12 was having its cylinders re-bored a couple of weeks ago.
Ray.

 

thanks for the info, so 12 will be back for next season I presume

 

That's what they are aiming for. Unfortunately all the shenanigans with Caley's springs and hot boxes after its return from Knockaloe delayed the work on No.12.
Ray.

 

thanks, planning a trip for next June so hopefully will be able to see 12 back in steam and also 9 cosmetically finished

 

I recently came across some boxes of old IMR slides (the earliest dated from 1956) so spent a couple of days scanning them. Some were too deteriorated to use but others were well worth salvaging. Although it would benefit from further cleaning up I particularly liked the one seen below. It appears to show IMR No.16 Mannin on a Port Erin bound train, perhaps approaching Ballasalla. It must have been taken no later than 1963 as by 1964 No.16 was relegated to 'light duties' on the Peel line and was withdrawn at the end of that season. From 1967 to 1974 he/she was on static display first in St.Johns and then in the former Douglas goods yard. From 1975 the loco was in Port Erin museum until it was removed for restoration to working order a couple years ago. Restoration commenced in Jurby (on the 'QT!) but most of the loco is currently at the SVR where, I believe, the boiler is well advanced. The intention is/was for Mannin to be ready for its centenary in 2026. Hope you like the pic.
Ray.

 

Ooh! I was going to ask on Mannin. We're over for the Manx and decided to enjoy today's rain in Castletown and the railway. There was nothing in the museum about Manin, so good to hear news.
May I ask Caledonia's current status? The board said it was working today, but we didn't see it.

(On Weds, wife and small person will be getting wet on the Groundle while I get wet at the side of the road, but we are hoping to all get rained on on the tram if we can)

 

At the transport festival I was told during a shed tour that Cale was serviceable, but limited to lighter duties currently (such as Driver Experiences and dining trains) as the springs still weren't playing ball 100% after last years smashing trip to Knockaloe. She certainly sounded OK on the MNR excursion, but that was hardly a full load at full line speed.

John

 

I was in the Isle of Man last week and enjoyed the Sunday diner on the 11th with Caledonia which sounded on form and had to work bloody hard in some places with that heavy rake.

spoke to the crew on her and the driver was saying they prefer to use Caledonia on the dinner because she rides well, less draw bar surge and plenty of power.

He said that she will only ever be used as a last resort on timetabled services because they have to in his words “absolutely thrash her” to keep to the timetable, it’s simply not what she was designed to do

 

Manx Heritage Transport Festival 2025 - July 22nd to July 27th

After the excitement of this years events, we're proud to share that another six day festival will take place across the Island's heritage railways from Tuesday 22nd to Sunday 27th July!

Highlights will include:

A celebration to mark 130 years of the Snaefell Mountain Railway
A special M.E.R service to mark 50 years since the last postal collection on the Manx Electric Railway in 1975
Photography specials
Guided Track Tours
Workshop and Depot Tours
Motorman Taster Sessions
Special timetables and combinations
Unusual items of rolling stock in use
Vintage buses and vehicles
Taster events leading into 2026 when we will mark 150 years of the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway and 50 years since the nationalisation of buses.

Full details will be made available in due course.
https://www.iombusandrail.im/heritage/events-and-experiences/manx-heritage-transport-festival-2025/
Ray.

 

When IMR No.4 Loch arrived at Port Erin on the 11.50 ex Douglas on Saturday I thought she looked a bit odd. Can anyone spot what was unusual about Loch's appearance?
Ray.

 

It's not raining?

Odd-coloured wheel rims? Painted? Or new tyres...

 

Numberless! New chimney?

 

I thought she had a narrower copper capped one before?

 

I seen this yesterday on the IOMSRSA facebook page, when I asked they said her copper cap chimney is being repaired.

 

Correct! For the first time in 150 yrs No.4 is sporting one of the later cast iron chimneys. All the locos originally had built up chimneys with copper caps but, over the years, Nos. 5, 10, 11 & 12 acquired the cast 'flowerpot' type. No.13 also carried one for a while but has now reverted to original.
Ray.

 

shame 10, 11 & 12 don’t revert back, such a nice feature with the numerals. Is there a specific reason they haven’t reverted back to copper caps and chimney numerals