Can You Give Railway Carriage a Home?

The Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters’ Association is appealing for help in returning a former Manx Northern Railway carriage to the island.

Dating from 1879, the six-wheeled coach is a rare survivor from the period and was removed from the island back in 2012. The MNR operated from 1879 to 1905 when it amalgamated with the Isle of Man Railway Company.

The association said that is has been in talks with Three Foot Gauge Society in respect of bringing the carriage back to the island.

It said: ‘Initial discussions with a variety of organisations have so far proved fruitless and we are now actively seeking somewhere on the island where the carriage can be kept in covered storage, there being no available space on the railway itself.

‘We are therefore appealing to anybody who could accommodate the historic vehicle and ensure its retention on the island. Some remedial work has been carried out but the carriage cannot be operated in service.’

One of a fleet of fourteen obtained from the Swansea Carriage & Wagon Co, to the unusual six-wheel “Cleminson” patent, only three other carriages from the order remain, one of which has been completely restored by an Association members and is now back on the railway.

Chairman Bill Cubbon said: ‘This represents a final throw of the dice to attempt to have this carriage returned home; we have been working closely with Robert Hendry to achieve this aim but thus far have been unsuccessful in finding a suitable home for the carriage, so we are now opening our appeal up to the general public in the hope that we can find a home for it.’

The carriage is just over 30’ 0” long and around 7’ 0” wide without the overhang of couplings which can be removed as required; it would need to be transported on a road trailer, so any potential accommodation would need to accessible by road with such a trailer and articulated unit.

Anyone who can help can contact the Association on Facebook or through the contacts on its website.