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Isle Of Man Steam Railway

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

  1. Rob Reynolds

    Rob Reynolds New Member

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    With respect to the boiler for Mannin; I asked a person who is closely connected with the railway about the boilers a year or two ago and he said that one was for Mannin. This struck me as quite extraordinary, with Mannin being so unlike the others and (as I understand it) pretty worn out when she was retired. I asked him if he was sure it was for Mannin and he said that it was. It was the first intimation I had that Mannin might be returned to working order.
     
  2. Bikermike

    Bikermike Well-Known Member

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    I didn't realise how different it was. Looking forward to seeing it
     
  3. marshall5

    marshall5 Well-Known Member

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    More good news. The season was due to finish this weekend but has now been extended through the rest of this month and will now finish on the 4th October. The ever popular, and often fully booked, diner trains will also continue. Details below.
    Ray.
    IoM Rlys 2020 extended T.T..jpg
     
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  4. bantamd14

    bantamd14 New Member

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    Is Fenella out of boiler ticket at the end of the year, does anyone know please?
    I have never seen her in steam, I was hoping to come over to the island this year, but something happened and so I can't make it there now!
     
  5. Poolbrook

    Poolbrook New Member Friend

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    Presumably all the trade is coming from 'locals' as the Island is closed to tourists.
     
  6. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Don't forget the ânes. They're allowed in .... at least, they were, last I heard.
     
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  7. marshall5

    marshall5 Well-Known Member

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    Unfortunately, yes. Some time ago the Director of Transport stated that he wanted to keep one 'small boiler' loco in the core fleet so it is likely that No8 or another 'small' loco will eventually return to service. Sorry that you missed her.
    Ray.
     
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  8. bantamd14

    bantamd14 New Member

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    Thanks anyway Ray for confirming that.
     
  9. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    In what sort of mechanical state is No.1's undergubbins?

    You'll notice that, with great tact and subtlety, I've not referred to any comments concerning the comparatively good condition of 'a recently decontaminated small' loco'!
     
  10. marshall5

    marshall5 Well-Known Member

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    I think No1's running gear could be best described as "well worn".
    Ray.
     
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  11. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Sounds suspiciously like you may be being as "charitable" as evidence allows there, Ray. :)

    So, does No.8 seem the likeliest prospect for overhaul? With a fairly recent boiler (presumably) having a decent amount of life left in it, it'd be logical to suppose the management would prefer it didn't kick around quietly deteriorating for too long and IIRC, much effort went into improving No.8's performance since it's initial return to IMR ownership .... and (tempting though the idea may be) as No.9 is so comparatively original, I suspect many may prefer it were cosmetically restored 'as is'.. Of course, similar considerations surrounded No.16 for many moons .....
     
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  12. marshall5

    marshall5 Well-Known Member

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    No8's boiler actually dates from 1936 but was heavily rebuilt by the SVR in the early 90's (as was No4's more recently) and was then put into No1 in 1997 for IMR 125. Although it has also now done a full stint in No8 the boiler remains in sound condition. Unfortunately No8's cylinders are very 'tired' and have required lot of attention to the valves and faces just to keep it going. There is a new set of cylinder castings available but I don't know if they are currently earmarked for anything else. I'm not aware that any decision has made regarding No9's 'next step'.
    Ray.
     
  13. Wenlock

    Wenlock Well-Known Member Friend

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    With my limited memory of French lessons I had to look that up. Wiktionary says donkey/ass/idiot/moron/dunce. Not sure who exactly you are referring to.
     
  14. marshall5

    marshall5 Well-Known Member

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    I assumed that he was referring to our visitors from Guernsey (also Covid-free) who are the only non-residents currently admitted to the IoM. Even Manx residents returning from the U.K. have to undergo 14 days self-imposed isolation. Just last week one a..hole decided that it didn't apply to him and is spending the next 8 weeks in the Jurby Hilton.
    Ray.
     
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  15. ross

    ross Well-Known Member

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    I am asking because I don't know.
    Do the drawings exist, whence a pattern might be created? Or is could this stripdown be an opportunity to create a drawing, or scan the existing cylinders to make a cad drawing which could be used to make a pattern? Or is "enough meat" literally enough for the likely life expectancy of all the rest of the locomotive, and hence worn out cylinders, when it gets to that, will be a minor consideration?
    A new, unique boiler, is surely a 50 year investment. It would be good to know there are 50 year cylinders, one way or another
     
  16. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    It's an admittedly less then polite colloquilaism which, when refering to their neighbours, one might hear on Jesrsey.

    A friend of mine from Guernsey habitually referred to the polulation of Alderney as "2000 drunks, clinging to a rock in tbe middle of the sea"! :Wideyed:
     
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  17. marshall5

    marshall5 Well-Known Member

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    The Engineering Dept. have many of the original Beyer drawings but I wouldn't know if they include No16's cylinders. Hopefully the initial encouraging measurements of the cylinder bores mean that the cylinders will be good enough for the foreseeable future and we needn't worry about having new patterns made just yet.
    Ray.
     
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  18. marshall5

    marshall5 Well-Known Member

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    Another busy day on the IMR today with all available carriages out apart from the dining set and that will be out this evening. The first photo shows No15 Caledonia entering Castletown station on the 6 coach 11.50 ex Douglas. Out of sight No8 Fenella brings up the rear. No13 Kissack waits in the loop with the 12.00 ex Port Erin.
    At Port Erin (2nd photo) No8 went on shed whilst No15 put F39 (the Foxdale Rly Brake) and F10 in the bay before going back, with No13 in 'top n tail mode', on the front of the 16.00. The DoI minister (who was not, originally. in favour of re-opening) today admitted that ridership has been much higher than anticipated and the season may yet be extended further!
    Cheers,
    Ray.
    DSC_0904a.JPG DSC_0906a.JPG
     
  19. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Admidst all the uncertainty, gloom and despondency surrounding Covid-19, it has to be said that news from Mona's Isle has been a very welcome beacon in the darkness. If proof were needed, concerning the old adage about every cloud having a silver lining, it's that so many on the island seem to have rediscovered "their" railway ..... and we can but hope that this has been recognised 'officially' and gets solidly built upon, once all the current kerfuffle dies down.

    Statistically, you've got to expect the resident population includes a smattering of market researchers, who'll know the best questions to ask to keep 'em coming.

    @marshall5 : cheers for the info re: Fenella's boiler, which I had (for some reason!) assumed was new at restoration, though it's a hell of a lot younger than the pre-WWI LBSCR manufactured boiler, still in use on the Bluebell's E4, No.473 ..... they don't make 'em like that any more!
     
  20. marshall5

    marshall5 Well-Known Member

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    A further short extension to the IMR 2020 timetable to cover the October half-term has been announced : Further extension to IMR 2020 timetable.jpg
    As part of the Heritage Open Days the Heritage Railway Volunteers will be leading tours of the workshops on Sat. Oct. 3rd and Sun. Oct 11th.
    Ray.
     
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